By Tom Thomas.
“I want to do something that will recall the memory of that Child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger, and how the ox and ass stood by.” – St Francis of Assisi
“The man of God [St. Francis] stood before the manger, full of devotion and piety, bathed in tears and radiant with joy; the Holy Gospel was chanted by Francis, the Levite of Christ. Then he preached to the people around the nativity of the poor King; and being unable to utter His name for the tenderness of His love, He called Him the Babe of Bethlehem.” – St Bonaventure
On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of Christmas in Greccio, Italy which St Francis of Assisi celebrated by creating the first-ever Christmas Nativity scene or Crib, replete with live animals, a plenary indulgence has been granted to Catholics to promote their spiritual renewal and increase the state of grace in their life.
On October 4 many Catholics gathered at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Rule of St. Francis. As part of the celebration, the Conference of the Franciscan Family, which oversaw the gathering, announced that they were asking Pope Francis to grant an indulgence for any Catholic who prayed in front of a Nativity scene at a Franciscan church.
“We ask you to share this “privilege” in all our locations, which fits in well with the special relationship that was established between Saint Francis and the Church when he asked the Pope for the indulgence of those who visited the Porziuncola, and we hope that it will be an opportunity for communion and spiritual renewal for every brother and sister. in the entire Franciscan family,” said the conference in a statement. The Holy Father accepted the request, acknowledging that Catholics would be able to receive a plenary indulgence under normal circumstances.
Granted by the Apostolic Penitentiary, Rome, this runs from 8th December 2023 ( Feast of the Immaculate Conception) to 2nd February 2024 ( Feast of the Presentation in the Temple of our Lord Jesus Christ). It is granted when one visits and prays before the nativity scene at any Franciscan Church throughout the world.
The conditions are detachment from all sin, even venial. Sacramental confession, Holy Communion, Prayer for the Intention of the Holy Father (reciting Our Father and Hail Mary). Sacramental confession and receiving the Eucharist can happen up to 20 days before or after the act performed to receive a plenary indulgence.
A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ, Mary and all the Saints to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. The indulgence cleanses a person of all temporal punishment due to sin.
“The Christmas crèche is part of the precious yet demanding process of passing on the faith. Beginning in childhood, and at every stage of our lives, it teaches us to contemplate Jesus, to experience God’s love for us, to feel and believe that God is with us and that we are with him, his children, brothers and sisters all, thanks to that Child who is the Son of God and the Son of the Virgin Mary. And to realize that in that knowledge we find true happiness. Like Saint Francis, may we open our hearts to this simple grace, so that from our wonderment a humble prayer may arise: a prayer of thanksgiving to God, who wished to share with us his all, and thus never to leave us alone.” Says Holy Father Pope Francis in Apostolic Letter Admirabile Signum dedicated to explaining the meaning and importance of the Nativity scene.
In visiting the Nativity scene at the Franciscan Church nearest to you (in my city it is St Antony’s Friary Church, Hosur Road, Bangalore), it is indeed worth reflecting on the words of Thomas of Celano, biographer of St Francis, on the first ever Nativity scene, 800 years ago:
“The night is lit up like day, delighting both man and beast. The people arrive, ecstatic at this new mystery of new joy. The forest amplifies the cries, and the boulders echo back the joyful crowd. The brothers sing, giving God due praise, and the whole night abounds with jubilation.” Within this energized setting in which people, animals, forests, and boulders are all active participants, Francis, the poor man from Assisi who so frequently sought solitude, stood before the manger and uttered “heartfelt sighs.” Mass was celebrated, and a spirit of joy replaced Francis’ habitual “contrite piety.” – Thomas of Celano
Even if one is unable to visit a Franciscan church, it is certainly a good practice to prepare for the coming of Baby Jesus, by having a good confession, receiving Holy Communion and reflecting upon the Nativity scene at the Church. Let us be like the Shepherds and the Magi who sought and found Him in the humblest of surroundings.
GRECCIO CRIB PRAYER (From the Franciscans)
O God of Love! We thank and praise you for being born like one of us, in a forlorn stable outside Bethlehem!
You were born in our history, in a crib of rejection, because, there was no room for you in the inn!
But you were recognized by the poor and simple who glorified you for your birth!
800 years ago, O Merciful Lord, you were born again as a living child in the hands of Saint Francis of Assisi, in a crib of loving devotion, which he formed at Greccio!
You chose to be born in his hands because of his passionate love for you, and because of his fraternal love for your people!
We believe, O Benevolent Lord, through the crib of Saint Francis, you will be born in us, too, when we live according to your holy Gospel, when we accept your people in fellowship, and when we integrate ourselves with all your creation!
As we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the first loving crib of Saint Francis, O Incarnate Love,
grant us the courage to draw wisdom from the spirit of the Greccio crib, make us poor in spirit to embrace your gentleness and humility, that our homes be a star
to guide your people towards you, and our hearts a crib of your infinite mercy, and to be united with you and with all your creation forever and ever, Amen!