Stories, you say? Yup. You know, the kind of stories that bring laughter to our bellies and tears to our eyes. The kind of Catholic stories that are not slam-sessions on nuns and priests or a lackadaisical nod about something that happened at the parish that week.
Growing up Catholic you have a legacy of stories and experiences that keeps your Faith whole even in the darkest of days and hours. To those who are nodding their heads right now, you know what I mean. To those who are reading this, still not understanding my ranting, let me tell you a Catholic story… A Christmas story about growing up Catholic in an Italian family on Christmas Eve…
Midnight Mass was a regular event growing up. You got to stay up late, usually when you got home you were allowed to open one present, and the feelings that were stirring inside you were a combination of excitement and wonder. And you were able to be out late which was really cool for a young boy.
The church, St. Francis of Assisi in Wakefield Rhode Island was always decorated beautifully! Not gaudy, but with class and elegance. The choir was staged in the back of the church with the organ and they were singing and the smell of the Christmas Trees and the Christmas wreaths always puts a smile on my face.Thinking about it now puts a smile on my face and in my heart. We, my mother, my sister, and I almost always got their early and sat up front where I was always able to see the manger. The manger was always empty; baby Jesus was not put in the manager until after mass.
Christmas was a time of escape. Like a journey to a land of wonder, make believe and excitement where everything was beautiful and safe. Looking back I remember that when I was in church, especially during that time of year, I felt like everything was going to be OK. There was no yelling, or fighting, or throwing things. You were surrounded by love and uplifting music, my mother and my sister and people that were genuinely happy and feeling the love that is always within us.
My mother, through out the year always asked on Sunday's if I wanted to go to mass, but Midnight Mass, this was the one mass that I was eager to attend. Now I am some what disappointed if I do not attend Midnight Mass. This was a special mass and even at a young age I could tell the difference. Maybe it was the way the church was decorated with candles and poinsettia . Or maybe it was the smells? I now know that it was the love that you could feel when you turned left and began to drive up the street. The energy was like nothing I had ever felt before. The love that God has for us, that is in all of us, that is flowing from everyone... Midnight Mass was the best!
I miss those days celebrating the birth of Christ with my family! Those nights taught me that God is within all of us, and as I've gotten older I understand that he is always with us. Always, especially when it's dark and you feel lost Christ is right there, for all of us.
Yesterday I came across this wonderful Christmas song. And even though it was the first time I had ever heard it, it feels like I know it. Like it's always been a part of me. Well, now it is. It will always be part of my Christmas celebrations.
Merry Christmas Mom! Thank you for the memories! I love you.
Merry Christmas Cath! Thanks for always looking out for me and protecting me! I love you!
Here are the lyrics to Tu scendi dalle stelle from Italy, in Italian and with an English translation…
Tu scendi dalle stelle
(Italian)Tu scendi dalle stelle
O Re del Cielo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.
O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.
A te che sei del mondo,
Il creatore
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.
Caro eletto, Pargoletto,
Quanto questa povertà,
Piu m’innamora
Giacche ti fece amor
Povero ancora.
Giacche ti fece amor
Povero ancora.
Here’s a rough English translation of Tu scendi dalle stelle …
You Come Down from the Stars
(English)
You come down from the stars
Oh King of Heavens,
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.
Oh my Divine Baby
I see you trembling here,
Oh Blessed God,
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.
For you, who are of all the world
The creator,
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.
Dear chosen one, little infant
This dire poverty,
Makes me love you more
Since Love made you
Poor now.
Since Love made you
Poor now.
Buon Natale
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