Wonderful Signs Abound at Scranton

Pope Francis encouraged Catholics around the world to display manger scenes this Christmas season in a letter titled Admirabile Signum.
Several crèches, or manger scenes, are on display throughout the University’s campus.
Several crèches, or manger scenes, are on display throughout the University’s campus.

In an Apostolic Letter signed on the first Sunday of Advent, Dec. 1, Pope Francis encouraged schools around the world to display images of the crèche, which is common practice at The University of Scranton during the Christmas season.

In the letter, titled Admirabile Signum (wonderful sign), Pope Francis wrote:

“The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder. The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. As we contemplate the Christmas story, we are invited to set out on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became man in order to encounter every man and woman. We come to realize that so great is his love for us that he became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with him.

With this Letter, I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares.”

At Scranton, a Catholic and Jesuit university, manger scenes are on display at the DeNaples Center patio in the center of campus, at the Jesuit Center in St. Thomas Hall and in a prominent window facing Jefferson Avenue in McGurrin Hall, as well as in other locations on campus.

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