Office of Prime on December 24, during which an excerpt from the Martyrology is sung, referring to the Saints celebrated the next day"... in the sixth age of the world, JESUS CHRIST, eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, willing to sanctify the world by his holy coming, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit, and nine months having elapsed since his conception, was born of the glorious Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, city of Judas..."Christmas preparations. In the chapel: two Christmas trees are arranged, one on each side......Poinsettias on the Altar...... in the various rooms of the Housein the refectory1st Vespers of the NativityIn front of the crib, last day of the novena in preparation of the birth of the Savior, singing of "O Come Divine Messiah.”Evening MassAfter Midnight, all the cribs in the House receive their Baby Jesus!the Refectory, before Christmas breakfastMass of the day...... during which one of our young faithful, Marie-Lou, made her first communionAfter her first Communion, at the feet of Our Lady......surrounded by the SistersLunch with our guests2nd Vespers of the NativityThe acolytes arrange the altar......for Benediction of the Blessed SacramentEvening of December 25: Christmas carols in front of the cribBuffetOpening gifts......starting with those offered by our Prior GeneralOur families and our benefactors have spoiled us well!For dessertRecreational reading of a fable of La FontaineThe sisters offered to Sister Anne-Laure-Marie, Superior of the house, several gifts that they made themselvesFruit pastillesApple juiceSome ornaments for the small oratory that we have in the house in honor of Saint JosephChristmas carolsChristmas decorationsOn December 26, feast dinnerSunday in the octave of Christmas. Mass celebrated by Canon Lefèvre, Vice Rector of the Seminary of Gricigliano, who came to spend a few days in Switzerland with some seminarians who could not return to their families for the holidaysNight of December 31: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight......ending with a Te Deum of thanksgiving for the past year and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
