Secular Franciscans reenact 800-year-old Nativity scene in Export

By PAULA A. SMITH, OFS
Submitted to The Catholic Accent

EXPORT – In 1223, 800 years ago, St. Francis of Assisi created the first live nativity scene to honor the birth of Jesus in the town of Greccio, Italy. The blessed event was recreated during Advent by a Secular Franciscan fraternity at Light Up Night in the town of Export.

For more than 50 years, the Export Volunteer Fire Department has organized the annual Light Up Night. This year’s celebration was held on Dec.1, from 6 to 9 p.m. Firemen placed barrel-lit fires at different points along the restricted Washington Avenue that glowed with luminaria provided by the Export business group. Music filled the air as adults, teenagers and families interacted with residents of neighboring communities that included Monroeville, Murrysville, Delmont, Penn Trafford, Slickville and Kiski.

It was the first time the Secular Franciscans of San Damiano Fraternity, who meet monthly at St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes in Export, a partner parish of St. John Baptist de La Salle in Delmont, participated in the event. Fraternity members were inspired to create a replica of the crèche of St. Francis in response to an invitation from Lady Poverty Region of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order-USA.

“We, like St. Francis, wanted to make something that everyone could experience, that is, the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ,” said Mary Beth Wonders, OFS, and minister of San Damiano Fraternity, who dressed as Mary in the nativity. “We wanted to bring knowledge and awe to the onlookers of an 800-year-old tradition started by him.”

Visitors entered the building that was transformed into a darkened, cave-like setting. They were greeted by Hank Wonders, OFS, as Joseph. They observed a portrayal of Mary, Joseph and St. Francis. The figures were seen quietly gazing at a lifelike infant Jesus in swaddling clothes lying on hay in a manger with a bright, white star overhead and a donkey and ox positioned behind the crèche.

“I think Francis’s intention in creating the nativity was to make people aware of how wonderful our Lord was and how simply he came into the world,” reflected Joseph Pasquino, a Secular Franciscan candidate dressed in a monk’s robe as St. Francis. “He spread proof of our savior’s birth in the most humble way.”

 Members wore period clothing representing townspeople of the Middle Ages. They offered cookies, ornaments, handouts on the Greccio nativity, and encouraged people to sign up to win a nativity set in a free drawing. The winner was Corey Policastro.

Ed Gray, member of the board of directors for Murrysville Christian Concern, expressed amazement with the nativity presentation. His wife, Karen, agreed with him.

“It was kind of moving,” he noted. “Coming in here was like a pause, very tranquil.”

Melissa Miller of Delmont brought her two nieces, ages nine and seven, to the nativity. “I thought it was beautiful,” she said. “It’s nice to see the true meaning of Christmas.”

The evening’s festivities began in the fire hall where participants received a card to visit fifteen stores, the Export Train Station Museum and the Export Moose and have it punched when they receive free cookies at each location. This tradition is known as the “Cookie Crawl.” The idea was started 10 years ago by Christine Franco, owner of Expert Nails, in Export.

“I just wanted to do something for the Export community,” Franco said. “These are the businesses saying ‘Happy Holidays.’”           

Besides cookies, a fish fry was underway at the Moose from 4 to 8 p.m., a lottery tree raffle was available and Santa arrived for a visit with the children at 7 p.m. in the fire hall. Participants were reminded to drop their punched cards in a bin for a basket raffle. Twenty-six baskets were donated. Children randomly drew the winning cards as the fire department whistle blew at 9 p.m. and the event came to a close.