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Xavier Graduate Honored In State House Chamber
On April 20th Mitchell Wollen ‘22 found himself in the Connecticut House Chamber in Hartford being honored for his service work.  He and his parents were invited by State Sen. Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven), and House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford). They had hea...

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'A Priest Forever' - The Ordination of Rev. Jacob Ramos
“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” -- Psalm 110   A celebration of the ordination to the priesthood of Reverend Jacob Ramos for service as a priest in the Diocese of Norwich took place June 25, 2022. The Ritual Mass for the Conferral of Holy Or...

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TechTigers win Chairman’s Award and Engineering Inspiration Award
Mercy High School’s Robotics Team, the TechTigers 3654, had two consecutive amazing weekends competing in the New England FIRST District Event in Waterbury March 12-13, and the New England FIRST District Western New England (NE) Event in Springfield, March 19-20. The awards qualify the team to...

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Xavier Proves ‘A Blessing for Years to Come’
My dear friends, This month we focus the spotlight on another one of the outstanding educational institutions in the diocese - Xavier High School in Middletown. Months before Xavier High School opened in Middletown in 1963, Brother Robert Sullivan, C.F.X., the school’s first principal, said...

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Heartfelt Donations Help Struggling Families
The Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NDCCW) held its annual Layette on Saturday, June 11th at St. Joseph’s Church in Willimantic Connecticut. The NDCCW has organized and held this layette for over 40 years in parishes throughout the diocese.   As Covid restr...

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A Catholic Teacher Shares Her Experience - Hope & Faith Series
This week on the Hope and Faith Series Sarah Hoisl, 2022 Masters in Education Graduate, speaks about what her Catholic Education as well as teaching in a Catholic Primary School has taught her. View previous videos or more articles on Faith by visiting NorwichDiocese.org/FaithS...

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Statement Concerning U.S. Supreme Court Decision "Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization"
June 24, 2022 Statement Concerning U.S. Supreme Court Decision “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization” Today, with the U.S. Supreme Court reversing the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision on the right to abortion, we enter a new era of opportunity and responsibility to safegua...

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Catholic
Joint Statement on Violence Against Pro-Life Organizations Due to Pending Supreme Court Decision
Joint Statement on Violence Against Pro-Life Organizations Due to Pending Supreme Court Decision   The Connecticut Catholic Conference joined with other organizations to issue a joint statement on concerns about the growing violence against pro-life organizations across the country. The...

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Are We Prepared for the Overturning of Roe v. Wade? A Summary of Resources
While overturning Roe v. Wade will not prevent abortions, it will leave it to the states to decide if they will allow it.  We should approach questions we may face with the attitude of “What would Jesus do?”  The pregnancy has already occurred, whether it is current or in th...

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In Case You Missed It: Corpus Christi Mass Homily and Procession
Watch the homily and procession of the Corpus Christi Mass, celebrated Sunday, June 19, 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich. The date also marks the official  launch of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival.    Welcome to the National Eucharistic Revi...

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Mass at Midnight Returns to Saint Patrick Cathedral This Christmas Eve
Diocese Welcomes All to Midnight Mass There is something unforgettable about a church filled in the quiet hours of Christmas Eve, when the city has gone still and the only sound is familiar carols rising into the rafters. This year, the Diocese of Norwich invites you to experience that moment again as Mass at Midnight returns to the Cathedral of Saint Patrick on Christmas Eve. The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy will be the celebrant. Plan to arrive early, as the Cathedral choir will begin singing Christmas carols about 30 minutes before Mass begins, helping to prepare...

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Jennifer Harding named new Executive Director of Outreach to Haiti
Outreach to Haiti has welcomed Jennifer “Jen” Harding as its new Executive Director, succeeding Susan Wallace, who served the ministry since June 2019.   Jen brings extensive experience in international development and a strong commitment to compassionate, community-driven service. “At the heart of this work is walking alongside Haitian communities with humility and hope, listening first and building together,” Jen shared.   Jen joins Outreach to Haiti with 20 years of experience leading health and community programs in Afri...

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Advent Hope and Haiti’s Faithful Journey- A Season of Waiting and Witness
As we journey through these days of Advent, we are reminded that this is a season filled with hope and expectation—and that our road to the fullness of God’s Kingdom has mountains to climb and valleys to descend before we reach our destination. In this season of preparation, we remember not only Christ’s coming, but also those who still wait for redemption in the midst of suffering—like our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The people of Haiti know well the twists and turns of an arduous journey as they travel a rugged road, trusting it will lead to ...

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Faith, Friendship, and Forever: UConn Missionaries Discern Vocation Together
Ethan and Julie Roberts are two of the FOCUS missionaries at UConn, bringing students on campus to Christ through evangelization, outreach, and discipleship. In August, they united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. I recently sat down with them to discuss their discernment of their vocation to marriage. Both Julie and Ethan had transformative experiences with the Lord while in college themselves. Their earlier relationships had not been oriented toward vocational discernment. Neither had understood that the Lord had a vocational call for them—that He had a defini...

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Blessing of the Christmas Manger

Posted on December 16, 2025 in: ADVENT

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Blessing of the Christmas Manger
The beloved custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ began with St. Francis of Assisi, who created the first Christmas crèche on Christmas Eve in 1223. The blessing of the manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas—that is, Christmas Eve—or at another suitable time. Many families and parishes set up their mangers earlier in Advent. It is perfectly appropriate to bless the nativity scene when it is first displayed, even if the figure of the Infant Jesus has not yet been placed. When the Baby Jesus is added—t...

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Christmas Creche, Tree Are Signs of Hope, Pope Says
Pope Leo XIV asked Catholics to reflect on the meaning behind Nativity scenes and brightly lit Christmas trees, and to ask God offer the gift of peace and fraternity. He also called for prayers for all those who suffer because of war and violence, saying, "We must eliminate hatred from our hearts."   VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Nativity scene and the Christmas tree are signs of faith and hope, Pope Leo XIV said. "As we contemplate them in our homes, parishes and town squares, let us ask the Lord to renew in us the gift of peace and fraternity,&quo...

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Latest Articles
Jennifer Harding named new Executive Director of Outreach to Haiti
Mass at Midnight Returns to Saint Patrick Cathedral This Christmas Eve
Christmas Creche, Tree Are Signs of Hope, Pope Says
Advent Hope and Haiti’s Faithful Journey- A Season of Waiting and Witness
Blessing of the Christmas Manger
A Question of Faith — What Makes the Star of Bethlehem So Significant To Our Advent Journey?
Faith, Friendship, and Forever: UConn Missionaries Discern Vocation Together
A Diocesan Night of Unity: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass in Norwich
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Bowling with Bishop Reidy 2025
Click to view album: Ninety-Fifth Anniversary of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Saint Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
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    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
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    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294