December 3, 2025

St. Carlo Acutis Youth Group to present living Nativity at Italian Christmas Market

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – The Son’s and Daughters of Italy’s St. Carlo Acutis youth group will present a living Nativity, Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. on Winthrop Street. The presentation will cap off the St. Padre Pio 3013 Sons and Daughters of Italy’s Italian Christmas Market, being held Dec. 5-7 on Winthrop Street. The living Nativity follows in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, who created the first Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy in 1223.

“One of the greatest gifts St. Francis gave to the Church was the Nativity tradition. Sharing that gift in the South End of Springfield, an Italian neighborhood built by our ancestors, is incredibly meaningful to us,” said Salvatore Circosta, the president of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, St. Padre Pio chapter.

“In a busy world, the Nativity helps bring us back to the heart of Christmas: humility, hope, and the beauty of Christ entering the world in poverty. We’re honored to offer this to our community.”

The Nativity will be complete with live animals including camels, donkeys, cows, goats and sheep. The living Nativity is part of the second annual Italian Christmas Market, a three day celebration of Italian faith, culture, food, music and tradition.

This year the Sons and Daughters of Italy also brought back “La Festa,” the Italian feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in July, and the Columbus Day Parade, both after a 20 year hiatus.

For more information go to springfielditalians.org