Christmas nativity scenes crafted by artists in Mexico will be聽on display in six 91吃瓜 campus buildings Nov. 29 (Wednesday)聽through Jan. 28 (Sunday). The fourth annual International Cr猫che Exhibit and Pilgrimage features 32 cr猫ches on loan from the Marian Library at the University of Dayton. The exhibit is sponsored by the McGrath Institute for Church Life.
A prayerful pilgrimage to view the cr猫ches will be held聽Dec. 3 (Sunday). Prayer, Scripture readings and song will be led in English and Spanish. The event begins at 2 p.m. with a brief presentation by David Lantigua, assistant professor of theology, University of 91吃瓜, and an activity for children at the Eck Visitors Center.
The pilgrimage will move from the Eck Visitors Center through campus to the other displays and end at the Main Building. Pilgrims are invited to bring the baby Jesus from their home cr猫che for a blessing. All are welcome.
鈥滻mages of Jesus鈥� nativity remind us that God has made our world his home,鈥� said John Cavadini, McGrath-Cavadini Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life. 鈥淭he unique beauty of each cr猫che in this year鈥檚 exhibit reminds us of the spiritual richness in Mexico and calls us to imagine how we welcome the Christ Child in our cultures and communities.鈥�
The theme of the exhibit is 鈥淓n Camino A Bel猫n: Journeying to Bethlehem.鈥� The cr猫ches selected for this year鈥檚 display feature vibrant colors, natural materials and images of indigenous cultures.
The cr猫ches will be on display in the Eck Visitors Center, Morris Inn, Coleman-Morse Center, Main Building, Geddes Hall and Hesburgh Library. Visitors are encouraged to make self-guided tours of the cr猫ches using booklets available at all exhibit sites. For more information, visit .
The Christmas cr猫che originated with Saint Francis of Assisi in the year 1223. Saint Francis recreated the night of Christ鈥檚 birth in a cave near the town of Grecio, Italy, to arouse the devotion of the town鈥檚 inhabitants.
Contact: Brett Robinson, director of communications, McGrath Institute for Church Life, 574-631-6109, brobins6@nd.edu.
The McGrath Institute for Church Life at 91吃瓜 partners with Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools to address pastoral challenges with theological depth and rigor. By connecting the Catholic intellectual life at 91吃瓜 to the life of the Church, the McGrath Institute for Church Life forms faithful Catholic leaders for service to the Church and the world. For more information, visit icl.nd.edu.
Originally published by at on November 16, 2017.