This year marked the second annual celebration of the blessing of the Crèche, which was presented by the St. John XXIII Council 5987 of the Knights of Columbus at St. Jude Parish in Monroe.
The ceremony was complete with carolers, Honor Guard escorts, remarks, and a blessing by Monsignor Dariusz Zielonka, pastor of St. Jude. The crowd of about 30 people gathered under the gazebo on the Town Green to stay dry.
“This was truly a beautiful ceremony, and I was glad to be a part of it,” said State Rep. J.P. Sredzinski (R-Monroe, Newtown), who was among those in attendance.
Knight of Columbus council member Kevin Donovan acted a MC of the event.
The tradition of the Crèche, which depicts the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem, dates back centuries in the Roman Catholic Church. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first live nativity scene in Greccio, Italy, on Christmas Eve in 1223.
The creche will remain on display on the Town Green through Dec. 31.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.