Vatican's Nativity Scene with Filipino Figures Unveiled

ROME, Dec. 25, 2010—The nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square, featuring nine Filipino statues to complement the traditional figures of the Holy Family, was unveiled during a solemn evening ceremony on Dec. 24.

The Governorate of the Vatican City organized the event which was attended by ecclesiastical authorities of the Holy See and civil authorities from the City and Province of Rome.

Mercedes A. Tuason, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, with Josephine Bantug, led the Filipino community in Rome during the unveiling.

Filipino sculptor, Kublai Ponce-Millan, designed the statues to represent different indigenous groups of the Philippines in a festive celebration of faith, music, food and family on the occasion of the birth of Jesus.

The attractive smiling figures dressed in colorful native attire and playing musical instruments, portray the joyful spirit of Philippine Christmas which is known as the “longest and most festive celebration in the world”.

Asked to comment about the Vatican nativity scene, His Eminence Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City, recognized the special contribution of the Philippines. He also noted the dynamic faith of Filipino Catholics and underlined that the Philippines is the largest Christian country in Asia.

His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Comastri, Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter led the prayer service of the nativity scene. A Tagalog Christmas carol sung by the Karilagan Filipino choir from Sentro Pilipino was a special highlight.

At exactly 6:00 p.m., the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI lighted a candle for peace as he watched the unveiling ceremony from the window of the papal apartments. In the darkness, he blessed the assembled crowd with the light of the single candle.

In her message, Ambassador Tuason thanked the Governorate of the Vatican City State for giving the Philippines a special place in the center of the Roman Catholic Church’s celebration of the birth of Christ this year.

Tuason added that allowing the Philippines to participate in this event marked in a special way the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Holy See”.

The Philippines is the first country outside Italy to be given a major part in the Vatican nativity scene, since this tradition was first begun in 1982 under the pontificate of John Paul II.

Filipinos are honored as they join the hundreds of pilgrims who come to St. Peter’s Square at this time of the year, to contemplate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to call all peoples into the one family of God. (Fr. Jose V.C. Quilongquilong, S.J.)