Blessing of creche a longtime holiday tradition
Nov. 22 was Light Up Night, an event that kicks off the Christmas season Downtown. But at noon on the same day, before the revelry and an early visit from Santa Claus, an intimate lesser-known tradition took place outside the U.S. Steel Tower.
The 21st annual dedication of the Pittsburgh Creche, the blessing of a large Nativity scene, was led by the Christian Leaders Fellowship of Pittsburgh, an ecumenical group of local bishops and denominational executives.
“Light Up Night is the de-facto start of the holiday season, so what better time to denote the spiritual and true meaning of Christmas than on the same day?” said Monsignor Ron Lengwin, vicar for church relations of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Monsignor Lengwin has organized the dedication since its beginning in 1998.
Since then, little of the 15minute ceremony has changed. Representatives from many local Christian associations, such as the Pittsburgh Presbytery, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh and the Salvation Army, share blessing duties on stage. The plaza is filled with about 300 people, many of whom have been coming since its inception.
“Every year I see many familiar faces,” Monsignor Lengwin said. “People I know bring their children, grandchildren. There’s even been a few marriage proposals here over the years. It’s become a family tradition.”
One of those familiar faces is Moira Edmiston, principal of Blessed Trinity Academy, who has been coming to the dedication for the past three years. The Indiana Township school’s choir and band, made up of students third to eighth grade, performed in front of the creche before the blessing.
“It’s truly our joy to be here every year for the kickoff of the Christmas season,” Ms. Edmiston said. “Both the school’s and my own goals here are to share faith and love with our community.”
Along with the sheer size and quality of the creche, which is created each year by the Pittsburgh Diocese and local labor groups, the site’s most eye-catching components are the garments that adorn the lifelike statues of the Nativity scene.
From the flamboyant robes of the three wise men to the modest tunics of Mary, Joseph and the shepherds, all of the clothes are lovingly made by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit of the Pittsburgh Diocese.
Monsignor Lengwin said that for the first few years of the ceremony, the sisters made new clothes for every statue. Because
they were so prolific, organizers are now able to mix and match from past years rather than devote resources and time to make completely new sets each year.
Although the number of nuns charged with creating the garments has shrunk somewhat since the late 1990s, they still practice their duties with love and care.
Bishop David Zubik, of the Pittsburgh Diocese and one of the speakers at the dedication, believes that that kind of devotion to faith is what this ceremony is all about.
“This long-standing tradition serves to help Christians remember the true meaning of Christmas, and to help our community come together,” Bishop Zubik said. “To that end, we also want to espouse great respect for other faiths in our city and for those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday this season.”
Monsignor Lengwin echoes the sentiment. Because he lives Downtown, he said he visits the site almost every night, engaging with devotees and passersby.
“Everyone who comes to this site brings their own meaning to it,” he said. “From nostalgia to renewing beliefs to spiritual growth, this creche symbolizes feelings both personal and communal. That’s what this season is all about.”