Presented this morning at the Episcopal Curia of Nocera Inferiore were activities related to the setting up of the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican by the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno.

About 4,000 pilgrims will travel to the heart of Christianity on December 15 in sixty buses, cars and trains for a historic moment for the area that falls within the borders of the Nocerino-Sarnese Church.

On the morning of the 15th, the large delegation will be received in audience by Pope Leo XIV in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, while in the afternoon he will participate in the unveiling ceremony of the “You come down from the stars” nativity scene set up in St. Peter’s Square.

The Bishop’s words.

Opening the press conference was the bishop of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, Msgr. Giuseppe Judge, who stressed, “There are lights that illuminate and lights that dazzle. We are for lights that illuminate and warm. The crib is not only a religious object: in today’s families, in social and political realities, in families, there are many problems, but we need a sign of hope. The subject of all this commitment of ours is the people, because we are in the people and at the service of the people; if the people were not there, our presence would have no meaning. Christmas must involve wonder and awe, and that is what we hope will come from the crib. In a world where we lose the eyes of the children, the poor, the shepherds, the simple people, I invite us to read the crib through their eyes and those of the families. In St. Peter’s there is not only the diocesan Church, but there is above all the territory with all the lights and shadows. For me, going to St. Peter’s and seeing all this has a deep meaning.”

One thousand six hundred fiber optics will illuminate the dome of the Baptistery

Architect Angelo Santitoro, director of the diocesan Office for Cultural Heritage and Worship Buildings, as the designer pointed out some technical aspects starting with the “1,600 optical fibers that will illuminate the reproduction of the dome of the Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Nocera Superiore, which will be at the center of the work that covers 200 square meters. A crib that is an expression of the territory, in fact, the Helvius fountain will be represented, the house of the courtyards with the statue of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori; there is attention to the rural world and then the original Shepherd of Hope as a tribute to the Jubilee.”

The artwork has been under construction since last Nov. 10: the work is by Seri…A Advertising of Nocera Inferiore, the shepherds are by artist Federico Iaccarino of Meta, and the nativity scene is being transported by Michele Sole Trasporti of Nocera Inferiore.

Collaboration between institutions

Numerous institutions present at the press conference. The president of the Conference of Mayors of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese and mayor of Corbara, Pietro Pentangelo, pointed out that “this work presents in modern language the wisdom and ancient art of the nativity scene, an opportunity for our entire land.”

Of the same opinion were the other mayors present: Paul De Maio of Nocera Inferiore, Francesco Squillante of Sarno, Gennaro D’Acunzi of Nocera Inferiore and Carmine Pagan of Roccapiemonte. Present was the president of the Sarno district reclamation consortium, Mario Rosario D’Angelo, who hosted the first nativity scene setup in the consortium’s spaces.

From the website dedicated to tourist itineraries

During the conference, the website www.presepenocerasarno.it and the tourist itineraries that will develop from the work set up in St. Peter’s Square. These are five routes for a total of 28 stops that hold together the cultural and landscape assets of the thirteen municipalities that make up the Diocese. Through a QR_Code system, pilgrims to Rome will be able to discover the beauties of the Agro and decide to visit them, for a territorial tourist return. The itineraries will be discussed in depth during a conference on Saturday, December 6, at “ANIMA-Meeting of Religious Tourism” sponsored by the Province of Salerno at the Certosa di Padula.

Christmas letter in theater in Sarno

Many other initiatives are planned. On the occasion of the opening, Dec. 15, there will be a special philatelic cancellation by the Vatican Post. On Dec. 19 at the “De Lise” theater in Sarno there will be a staging of the Christmas Letter “Shepherds, Who Have You Seen?” by Kerygma Lab theater&Spirituality.

The widespread exhibition and school competition

In collaboration with PUACS, the diocese has promoted a contest aimed at schools and parishes for the most beautiful nativity scene; entries are open until Dec. 15 and the awards ceremony will be held Jan. 17 at the shrine of Santa Maria di Bagni in Scafati. On Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m., at the San Prisco Diocesan Museum, the widespread exhibition of nativity scenes will kick off, which will also involve the Monastery of the Purità in Pagani, which hosts the historic and traditional “Nativity Scenes from the World” exhibit. Appointments coordinated by the Priscus cooperative society.

Finally, on December 21, there will be the Day of the Daily Becoming dedicated to the making of the crib, while the January issue of the diocesan monthly Together a souvenir calendar of the nativity scene at the Vatican will be attached.