The living Nativity at a Maryland church marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's first Nativity scene, and offers a reminder that "the Lord still comes."
Nativity scenes are not simply works of art or folk art, the pope told hundreds of people involved in staging a live Nativity scene at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome Dec. 16.
Dressed as angels, shepherds, the Holy Family and
"I'm feeling it every day," Keller told The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. "I sit back and look at this (diorama) and I think, 'These people were at the well, they were doing things, and 500
Every year, the Vatican unveils a Nativity scene from a different diocese, often using materials or artistic styles from the particular region or country where the diocese is located.
The first crèche was created centuries ago in the central Italian village of Greccio.
By American standards, the Via San Gregorio Armeno wouldn't even qualify as an alley. Measuring perhaps 5 feet across, it's barely wide enough for three men to pass through it abreast. Yet come Advent, the little street in Naples, Italy, welcomes thousands
On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter's Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese
Stopping to gaze at and perhaps pray before a Nativity scene is one of the best ways to remember the real meaning of Christmas, Pope Francis said.
"In its genuine poverty," the pope said, "the creche helps us to rediscover the true richness
The representation of Peru's diverse Indigenous communities in this year's Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square embodies the joy and hope of their faith, said Peruvian Bishop Carlos Alberto Salcedo Ojeda of Huancavelica, Peru.
Bishop Salcedo joined Jorge Eduardo Román Morey, the Peruvian
Especially in a year when the COVID-19 pandemic will rule out many people's favorite Christmas traditions, they have a right to express their dislike of the decidedly untraditional Nativity scene on display in the center of St. Peter's Square, said a priest
The image of baby Jesus nestled in the manger is a much-needed reminder during the pandemic that God gives the world the gift of hope in troubled times, Pope Francis said.
Meeting with delegations from Castelli in Italy's Abruzzo region and from Kocevje,