On December 20, 2024, the first-year seminarians of our College visited the 100 Presepi in Vaticano, an international exhibition showcasing Nativity scenes from around the globe. Held in the evocative space beneath the Bernini Colonnade in St. Peter's Square, this annual event brings together the creativity of artists who express the story of Christ’s birth through diverse cultural lenses and artistic mediums.
Organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization as part of the cultural initiatives in preparation for the Jubilee 2025, the exhibition features works from European countries such as France, Poland, and Hungary, as well as contributions from across the world, including the United States, Costa Rica, Japan, and Mali. These Nativity scenes are crafted from a wide range of materials, from Japanese paper and silk to coconut fiber, wool, and glass, reflecting the ingenuity and imagination of the artists.
The 100 Presepi in Vaticano exhibition carries a profound message of hope. By focusing on the simplicity of the manger, it reminds all visitors of the essence of life and the enduring source of our hope: the birth of Christ. For the seminarians, this visit was not only a celebration of artistic diversity but also a spiritual encounter with the universal message of love and redemption found in the Nativity story.