Page 4 - Italian American Herald - December 2020

4 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | DECEMBER 2020 ITALIAN-AMERICANHERALD FROM THE COVER
The Vatican presepio for 2020 was crafted by students and teachers from Castelli, Abruzzo, between 1965 and 1975.
The presepio or crib, which we know as the nativity scene, depicts the birth of Jesus in the manger and is also displayed in the square. The much-treasured presepio will come from the Italian city of Castelli, known since the 16th century for its beautiful ceramics. Castelli is situated inside the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park in the province
of Teramo in Abruzzo. The ceramic presepio was created between 1965 and 1975 at the Art Institute of F.A. Grue in Castelli. It is common in Italy for presepi to include scenes of an entire village that are built around the stable where Jesus was born, but because these pieces are so fragile only a few of the 54 pieces will be sent for the Vatican display. In addition
to the Holy Family, an angel and the three kings, there will be a bagpipe player, a panpipe player, a shepherdess and a little girl carrying a doll.
Both the nativity and the tree are set in the square so they can be seen by the thousands of visitors who flock to St. Peter’s during the Christmas season. They will both be artfully lit
up as dusk falls to create a magical scene. The tree and the Nativity scene will remain on display until Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, which marks the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Another popular event at the Vatican is the Concerto di Natale. The concert was started in 1993 as a way to promote Rome’s Vicariate project “50 churches for Rome 2000.” This year’s event features internationally renowned musicians who will perform international pop, rock, soul, gospel and opera at the Paul VI
Hall which donates proceeds from the event to various charities. It takes place in mid-December at a major venue in Rome and tickets are usually released for sale in October.
On Dec. 8, during the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope makes his traditional visit to Piazza Mignanelli. This small piazza is located right by the Spanish Steps. The Pope visits the Monument of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate Mary’s conception of Christ free from original sin. Popes have been doing this since 1953, offering a bouquet of flowers to honor the statue of Mary. This ceremony sets off this most sacred and joyous holiday season.
The celebrations continue in Vatican City on Dec. 24 with Christmas Eve Mass, or Midnight Mass, inside St. Peter’s Basilica. Despite the term “Midnight Mass” it does not take place at midnight but actually begins at 9:15 p.m. The Mass is attended by about 15,000 people who purchase tickets.
For those who cannot take part in the liturgical event inside St. Peter’s, the Mass is televised worldwide. Those who live in or near Vatican City who wish to attend can also watch the event live on St. Peter’s Square, where a number of large screens are set up. This year Pope Francis will celebrate Mass but it will not include a public audience.
On Christmas Day, the Pope addresses the crowd in St Peter’s Square at noon. The period that follows between Dec. 27 and January is one of the busiest times to visit the Vatican Museums. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are closed on Christmas Day; St. Stephens Day, Dec. 26; and Epiphany, Jan. 6. St. Peter’s Basilica throughout the season is open except at the time of the Christmas blessing.
Jan. 6, the Feast of Epiphany, is traditionally the end of the Christmas season in the Catholic world. The Pope leads the angelus at noon in St. Peter’s Square, speaking to the many people who have gathered in the square. The Epiphany marks the day that the Three Wise Men visited Jesus and it was revealed that he was the son of God. It is a legal holiday in Italy and other countries with large Catholic populations, especially in Spanish speaking nations, where it is known
as “Three Kings Day.” Elsewhere it is generally referred to as “Little Christmas” or “The 12th Day of Christmas”
This year will be one unlike any other as many of these beloved and sacred and joyous celebrations may not take place because of current and planned lockdowns in Italy. However, Masses will be broadcast to Italians and the faithful all over the world to bring the hope and joy of the season to all as it has been for centuries. I wish all our readers a blessed and safe Buon Natale e Buon Principio.
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