From the Nocera Inferiore-Sagnol Parish: The Nativity Scene at St. Peter's Square

The Nativity scene set up in St. Peter’s Square this year delivers a message of peace, brotherhood, and harmony. It was made with the help of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno showing the whole local community. Through its artistic look, farm goods, customs, and many cultural shows, it gives forms of holiness.In an interview published on www.vaticanstate.va, architect Angelo Santitor, designer of the Nativity scene shares his thoughts. The Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area has ancient feelings of great devotion toward Christmas festivities. There is massive exposure of Nativity scenes witnessed all over the region during this time of year. From the typical Neapolitan crèche to renditions inspired by the historical background of the Holy Land, and even more modern versions. Some perspectives of our towns turn into real Nativity scenes themselves.At the very moment I received the proposal by Monsignor Giuseppe Giudice, Bishop of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno—to whom go my most heartfelt thanks to represent in a few words here—the crèche for St Peter’s Square immediately turned over how it would express Agro all while describing within that Nativity inside Christian territory at the heart of diocese and nearby landscapes. I wanted to express that feeling which wraps around our land on Christmas night.The first inspiration sprang from going back nostalgically to childhood since making aNativityemp allows one to find again the innocence of youth. Tu scendi dalle stelle that immortal Christmas carol kept ringing in my mind, written by Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, whose many lives as an architect, artist, and musician have so profoundly informed my own development. Building from that foundation, I tried to find important symbols which could speak about our territory so that each inhabitant of the Agro may see himself reflected in this crèche.What are you trying to say with this Nativity scene? In this crucial hour for our world, for society, and for the youth, I look forward to a moment when all—drawn like the shepherds toward the only real source of peace—who spare a moment to gaze upon the Nativity scene find inspiration from beauty and harmony that brings strong feelings deep down inside us: happiness, astonishment, and calm. And let us pass on these feelings to everybody we meet in our everyday settings. Let's go back to the real meaning of life where every person is a partner, not a barrier to others—as in the courtyard home shown in the Nativity scene.At the age of ten, I started going to the Pia Unione Ammalati Cristo Salvezza in Pagani with my brother. There, I learned how to make Nativity scenes thanks to Don Domenico Cinque who welcomed us warmly and was just a seminarian at that time. The place was founded by Servant of God Alfonso Russo. The Association built a big artistic Nativity scene inside the Monastery of Purità in Pagani. Visitors could walk through beautifully crafted scenes with shepherd figures of all sizes. Every year under Alfonso’s lead along with Gerardo Tipaldi - Director of the work plus priests from this Association as well many volunteer brothers something different came into existence covering around 500 square meters area for several years this was recognized officially as city crèche.There is much Agro Nocerino-Sarnese, plenty of traditions, art and history, saints and eminent people. I tried to select those ingredients that belong the most to the soul of all citizens inside the Agro, in such a way as to make everybody feel represented in the Nativity scene. Besides the three architectural works that actually build up the scene and figures from our region, there are also local food and wine products depicted as part of gifts brought by shepherds to Baby Jesus-a gift that includes the Nocerino spring onion, San Marzano tomato and Corbarino cherrytomato, artichoke among many others. Also included is a representation of the Virgin of Three Crowns of Sarno made by master floral artists from Infiorata di Casatori belonging to a district in San Valentino Torio.This set-up is meant for appreciation from every side. Three monuments emphasize the nativity scene, talk about who we are: the Early Christian Baptistery of Nocera Superiore with the remains of its dome covered by shining stars from which angels come down to announce glory to God; the Helvius Fountain of Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino where a woman draws forth the water of new life which rests fully on the Mystery of the Incarnation; on the left pillar is found that coat of arms bearing a walnut tree, emblematic of the University of Nocera dei Pagani. A typical house taken from our local courtyards shows a big portal made out of grey Nocerino tuff, opening into a spacious room in whose center sits Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori at a harpsichord playing Tu scendi dalle stelle, accompanied by two children. A pendulum clock would complete the scene since it was his practice to recite a Hail Mary with every pendulum stroke, along with his famous saying, "Time is as precious as God."At the left of the scene, an angel tells the sleeping shepherd and his young helper that "The Word became flesh," set behind the round shape of the baptistery. The steps and the iron gate, which opens wide, stand for the change from old life to new life in Christ. Along with Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori- the Christmas Saint, there is a shepherd who looks similar to the Servant of God Don Enrico Smaldone of Angri (Education) in the nativity scene. This character together with two kids is about to climb up the stairs and points at Christ as an essential component of education. There is also another figure symbolizing the Servant of God Alfonso Russo from Pagani (value of suffering, volunteer service) that helps a sick person realize who the real savior is.One of the major characters in this composition is a fisherman holding a large anchor. He is called the Shepherd of Hope. Between the baptistery and house, he denotes that it is here where one would find the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica-the door of hope, spes non confundit. A large, bright comet with a tail is raising the anchor above the Nativity where the Child is being laid with the ox and donkey, before which the three Magi are in adoration and a shepherdess offers gifts of diocesan territory. The scene is set to life by two bagpipers.The scene measures 17 meters long by 12 meters deep and rises to 7.70 meters at its highest point of attainment. The choice of material is typical output for nativity scenography—wood, polystyrene, and iron.It is built up of formed wooden panels joined to metal frames previously fixed on the ground with tie rods and particularly with bolts to concrete counterweights. Among its specialty elements are columns, arches, capitals, and fountain details made from EPS—expanded polystyrene foam. The whole surface resulting from the montage of these panels is plastered using vinyl and powder glues and a reinforcing mesh specific to plasterwork.Started the project in September 2024 and completed it ready for presentation to the Bishop by February 2025. After work had been commissioned, it took six months to put up the structure.Very particularly striking are the figures of the shepherd, made by Maestro Federico Iaccarino from Meta di Sorrento respecting the traditional 18th-century Neapolitan style with innovation through material use in resin to make them even lighter and resistant to weather.Working hand in hand with our Bishop, the diocesan team has brought in regional professionals and artisans to bring this project to life, led by Seria Pubblicità from Nocera Inferiore. This nativity scene is just one part of a bigger diocesan plan that will include events with parishes, schools, and associations, all put together by the diocesan cooperative Priscus.Thank you very much for this great opportunity that you have given us diocesan community. With love and care, we would like to unveil a treasure of our land in the heart of St. Peter’s Square, under the leadership of Bishop Giuseppe and with the protection from our Saints, it is with happiness that we hand over this nativity scene to the Holy Father as it contains inside it the deep love of Agro Nocerino-Sarnese for the Vicar of Christ.