Blessing of the crèche during Mass

[CatholicZ09]

Can someone please tell me where I can find information regarding the blessing of the crèche during Mass? Can the crèche be blessed at only one specific time during the Mass, or are there different options that a priest has?

 

[pianistclare]

Franciscans (who began the tradition of the crèche) tend to carry the baby Jesus in during the processional.

But here’s something from the USCCB

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/objects/blessing-of-a-christmas-manger-or-nativity-scene.cfm

 

[tawny]

In my Parish the Priest processes in with the Baby Jesus at Midnight Mass & then blesses the creche after placing the infant in the manger.

 

[Phemie]

In my Parish the Priest processes in with the Baby Jesus at Midnight Mass & then blesses the creche after placing the infant in the manger.

In our parish it’s done at the Children’s Mass at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve (our “Midnight” Mass is at 10 p.m.) and the children carry in the figure of the Baby Jesus.

For a couple of years they carried in ALL the figures for the Nativity Scene at that time, I’m not sure if they still do that because I don’t attend that Mass.

 

[John_Lilburne]

In the Book of Blessings approved for the USA in 1989 there is a ceremony: Chapter 48 Order for the Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene.

To my knowledge, this is only approved for the USA. It is not in the original Latin edition of the Book of Blessings.

The Introduction includes:

“1542 The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene, according to pastoral circumstances, may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another more suitable time.
1543 The blessing may be given during a celebration of the word of God, during Mass, or even during another service, e.g., a carol service.”

For the Order of Blessing Within Mass, it has instructions to explain the meaning of the celebration in the homily. Then it has:

“1563 The general intercessions follow, either in the form usual at Mass or in the form provided here. The celebrant concludes the intercessions with the prayer of blessing. …”.

So this is the only time the blessing may take place in Mass, at the end of the Prayer of the Faithful.

 

[CatholicZ09]

In the Book of Blessings approved for the USA in 1989 there is a ceremony: Chapter 48 Order for the Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene.

To my knowledge, this is only approved for the USA. It is not in the original Latin edition of the Book of Blessings.

The Introduction includes:

“1542 The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene, according to pastoral circumstances, may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another more suitable time.
1543 The blessing may be given during a celebration of the word of God, during Mass, or even during another service, e.g., a carol service.”

For the Order of Blessing Within Mass, it has instructions to explain the meaning of the celebration in the homily. Then it has:

“1563 The general intercessions follow, either in the form usual at Mass or in the form provided here. The celebrant concludes the intercessions with the prayer of blessing. …”.

So this is the only time the blessing may take place in Mass, at the end of the Prayer of the Faithful.

Thanks! My parish always has done it immediately preceding the penitential rite. Usually, the ministers process to the crèche, the priest says a little prayer and blesses it, then he processes to the altar, and Mass continues as usual. I’ve seen this done at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, too.

I was just wondering because I am the sacristan for Christmas Eve, and we have a visiting priest celebrating Mass that night instead of our pastor. I’m not sure which way the visiting priest will want it done, so I am glad I know that it can be blessed after the general intercessions. I’ll just have to wait and see whichever way he wants it done.