As a precursor to the beginning of Advent, Bishop Earl Fernandes presided over an Evening Prayer service and Solemn Blessing of the Creche at St. Joseph Cathedral on Friday, Nov. 28.
Evening Prayer inside the Cathedral preceded the outdoor blessing in Cathedral Square of the Nativity, which is on display throughout Advent and the Christmas season for the third year since the diocese acquired the life-size depiction of scenes surrounding Jesus’ birth from the former State Auto Insurance Group.
Hymns, sung prayers and psalms during Evening Prayer in the Cathedral were led by the diocese’s recently formed Vox Iuvenum choristers directed by Dr. Nicole Simental, the director of sacred music for Buckeye Catholic at the St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbus, with organ accompaniment from Stephen Smith, director of music ministry at Westerville St. Paul the Apostle Church.
Vox Iuvenum is made up of approximately 20 students in grades 4-12 from multiple parishes, schools and homeschools that will provide sacred music at eight liturgies in the diocese throughout the year.
Bishop Fernandes acknowledged in his homily the iconic outdoor Nativity has been a source of much joy for many decades in Columbus. He reflected on the significance of the Savior’s birth while emphasizing that Advent is a season of preparation to meditate on Christ’s arrival into the world and to repent of sins to remain in a good relationship with the Lord.
He pointed out that St. Francis of Assisi is credited with establishing the first Nativity scene in order to reflect on the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Recalling the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the bishop said, “And in one place he says, ‘Try to imagine the most beautiful thing you can imagine and the mystery of the Incarnation is at least 1,000 times greater than that. Really, he means infinitely greater.”
Reflecting on Christ’s humanity, Bishop Fernandes said, “How beautiful is God’s love for us that He would come down from heaven to share his life with us. But He did not come in power and majesty in order to frighten us. He came as a child to embrace us with love and mercy.
“And when we think about the characters in the Nativity scene and in all the scenes outside, we think first of Mary,” he continued. “She describes herself as the lowly handmaid of the Lord. And she says let it be done to me according to your word.”
Speaking about the role of St. Joseph, the bishop shared that the foster father of Jesus, a simple carpenter, became the guardian of the Redeemer “who would teach us to do our work with greater love.
“We might not see the importance of our work, but God sees not just the work that we do but the love for which we do it. Carrying out even menial tasks with great love can be a beautiful offering to God during the Advent season.”
Bishop Fernandes challenged the faithful “to stop, to be still, to gaze and to wonder — that the beauty of God’s love for us came down from heaven and made its home in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
The beauty of Advent, he reminded, is that it leads to Jesus and provides encouragement when the world seems dark and there is no hope.
“God sent his Son to be born holy, to fulfill all of His promises. How beautiful it is to be loved by a God who keeps His promises,” he said.
The service continued with a Gospel canticle, intercessory prayer and the Lord’s Prayer before concluding with a final blessing. Vox Iuvenum led the singing of the hymn “Lo, He Comes, On Clouds Descending” as the congregation filed out of the cathedral into the darkness of the early evening to gather on the sidewalk in front of the Nativity for the Blessing of the Creche with holy water by Bishop Fernandes.
After the blessing, the faithful in attendance were invited to the Museum of Catholic Art and History for a reception and an opportunity to view more than 1,000 Nativity scenes, which have doubled in number since last year.