Christmas Caroling

REV. MR. JOHN BILENKI ’23, ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE

On a mild, damp, Roman winter’s night, tourists and locals gathered in St. Peter’s Square to enkindle their holiday spirit by viewing the Christmas tree and this year’s featured hand-carved Nativity scene. Adding to the festive atmosphere were dozens of carolers with tidings of comfort and joy for all!

There was palpable, joyful expectation among the carolers, consisting of nearly 40 college students and newly ordained fifth year priests, deacons, and seminarians of the College community who serve them. The priests and seminarians provide spiritual support to students participating in study-abroad programs through the sacraments, catechesis, community building, and sharing with them some of the treasures of the Eternal City. Caroling is as much a fun way to bring the students together as it is a way to pray together.

So many of the carols we sang in the Square— “O Holy Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”—go right to the heart of the mystery of Jesus Christ, our Incarnate Lord. We sing: “chains shall he break / for the slave is our brother. / And in his name, all oppression shall cease”; and, “mild he lays his glory by / born that we no more may die / born to raise us from the earth / born to give us second birth.”

What a grace to gather in the Square of Bernini’s colonnade—that space signifying the open arms of the Church where countless souls have gathered for so many years—there to sing the praises of our Lord and Friend who loves us and gave himself up for us that we might have eternal life. As we solemnly celebrate his birth during the Christmas season and remember his nativity throughout the year, may “sweet hymns of joy in joyful chorus raise we; let all within us praise his holy name!” n