Salesianum's First Annual Christmas Lunch

For the first time, Salesianum will open its doors from 12-3 PM on Christmas Day to welcome residents from numerous Wilmington Housing Authority (WHA) locations for an afternoon filled with food, song, and cheer. The event is a nod to a tradition that began in 1982 with the Sant’Egidio community in Rome. Today, Christmas Lunch is celebrated in more than 600 cities worldwide, and Salesianum is thrilled to be bringing a version to the Wilmington community.

The event is completely student-led and is expected to unite more than 100 WHA residents with hundreds of Salesianum students, families, alumni, and friends. The event helps to ensure that no one is alone on Christmas, and it directly aligns with Salesianum’s patron saint, Francis de Sales’ teachings: “It is to those who have the most need of us that we ought to show our love more especially.”

The Art of Presepio: Not Just a Nativity Scene

This article is about the manger scene set up at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Glen Mills, PA. Pastor Steve Shott, OSFS, has set up this scene at the many parishes he has ministered in over the years.

The presepio, derived from the Latin word presepium, meaning manger, has been the de facto symbol of Christmas for Italian families for dozens of generations, and in the South, perhaps as long as a thousand years. Of course, most Italians also have a modern Christmas tree, but the presepio in its simplest form is a tradition of devotion representing the birth of the baby Jesus. These nativity scenes typically consist of a structure to represent the simple barn where Joseph and Mary were forced to give birth to the Son of God. An ox, donkey, angels, and perhaps the three Wise Men are typically represented. But the presepio is often much, much more, showing village scenes from everyday life. Its components are mostly handmade from a variety of materials: wood, ceramic, cartapesta (Papier-mâché), terracotta, and fabrics. Some scenes include small waterfalls or fountains, houses, buildings, mountains, trees, grottos, livestock, and vendors of all sorts. The presepio in the Social Hall belongs to Fr. Steve and is the work of over 30 years of collecting pieces. Many of the pieces were donated over the years from people in the parishes where Fr. Steve has served in the past. The display has been added to by people from Virginia, Delaware, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The presepio will be on display through the Advent and Christmas season. It will be taken down after January 8. The Church is open from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays and during scheduled Mass times on the weekends."

On Prayer and Chocolate

The story of Mobile’s Visitation Monastery is one of devotion, resilience, and sweet, sweet confection. The Visitation Monastery in Mobile is one of 10 Visitation monasteries in the US.  The Oblates are very connected to the Sisters of the Visitation as they were founded by Saints Francis and Jane de Chantal.

This story was published in Mobile Bay in 2021 before Sr. Theodosia passed away. Her great work lives in through her Visitation Sisters. Consider ordering some chocolate and read about this great ministry!

The bell on the front door tings, signaling my mid-afternoon arrival. I step shyly inside, joining a handful of people perusing the Visitation Shop, thoughtfully admiring artwork, christening gowns and home decor. A silver and pearl ring on display in the entryway catches my eye, momentarily distracting me of my original goal. I’ve come in search of a trifecta. Of candy, that is, specifically the milk chocolate, marshmallow and pecan treat known as Heavenly Hash.

I make a mental note to return to the ring, and I press on in search of Colleen Blackwell, the store manager. She meets me in the hall and affirms they have what I’ve come for. But as it turns out, I’ll be leaving with far more than just confection.

“A lot of people think they aren’t allowed to come back here,” Blackwell says of the store’s location, which is down a short gravel drive off Springhill Avenue, the entrance flanked by a gate and brick wall. “Or they think they have to be Catholic to come in,” says Joanie Zoghby, busy thumbing through old photographs. She looks up and smiles when I admit I had worried the same. Indeed, all denominations are welcome, and I settle in to listen to what the two women — who, combined, have 40 years’ experience at the shop — have to share about the monastery.

“There are a lot of hidden treasures over there,” Zoghby says, nodding her head to the right, as Blackwell leads me out into the spring air toward Sacred Heart Chapel, adjacent the store. Inside the silent sanctuary painted by sunlit stained glass, Blackwell points out a crucifix on the wall, whispering it’s the one Dr. Samuel Mordecai was able to save during the 1854 fire that destroyed the original chapel. From our side of the delicate mesh screen separating the cloistered nuns’ domain from the outside world, we see Sister Christiana enter the chapel, clothed in the traditional black habit. Unaware of us, she begins praying the Stations of the Cross.

Originally founded in 1833 as the Visitation Convent and Academy, the Visitation Monastery is home to about 20 Sisters, all devoted to a simple, contemplative life of prayer. Their daily schedule includes times for reflection, corporate and individual prayer, and work, such as laundry, gardening, caring for the infirm and cooking. Questions roll through my mind, such as, “Where is the candy made?” Instead, I ask how the monastery is financially sustained. Simply put, support is trifold: community donations, year-round retreats and gift shop proceeds.

Not unlike the rest of the world, the Visitation struggled in 2020, not only with the pandemic canceling retreats and closing the shop temporarily, but also with back-to-back hurricanes wiping out electricity. “I had to bring in generators to keep the Sisters’ refrigerated food from spoiling,” Blackwell says, now leading me into the retreat quarters.

In the peaceful solemnity of the parlor, my eyes lilt from one thing to another, finally landing on portraits of the McGill brothers, Felix and Arthur, two early benefactors.

On our stroll back to the shop, I ask about one nun in particular. Sister Theodosia, I’ve read, is the Polish octogenarian in charge of making Heavenly Hash, the candy many Mobilians call “addictive.” The Sister, along with the help of others, churns out about 3,000 pounds of the handmade delicacy per year. It’s grueling work involving industrial-sized mixers, heavy mixtures, and lots of cutting and weighing.

“Sister Theodosia weighs every box that leaves the kitchen,” Blackwell says of the half-pound and pound boxes they sell. “She’s confined to a wheelchair now, but she’s still very much involved in the three-day process.”

Around 1957, the Sisters began selling Heavenly Hash on a much smaller scale, but it wasn’t long before their chocolaty public relations entity exploded. Over 60 years later, and with mentions in Southern Living, Taste of the South and a Garden & Gun readers’ poll, demand is higher than ever.

“The nuns are aware of the candy’s popularity,” Blackwell explains, “but their focus is on prayer, not on production.” She goes on to say that making and giving candy is one way in which the Sisters say “thank you” to the community.

At this point, I begin to wonder if the “hidden treasures” Zoghby alluded to earlier are the religious relics found at every twist and turn or the nuns themselves.

Back in my car, I slip the new ring onto my finger before tearing into the plastic-wrapped white box encasing a half-pound of chocolate hash. “It is addictive,” I say to myself, reaching for a second piece, this time reflecting on the afternoon.

I think about the Sisters’ devotion to their calling. I think about the volunteers and staff I met — from office workers to groundskeepers — who keep the monastery running. And I think about Sister Theodosia, wheeling into the candy kitchen, meticulously packaging and metering box after box.

“I do it with a sense of love,” she once said of candy making during a Press-Register interview. And gratitude, of course. And for that, we are the thankful ones.

By Amanda Hartin

Originally published in April 2021, Mobile Bay

Republished for distribution with the permission of Mobile Bay

Live Jesus! In the Words of Past Attendees

“This is my favorite day of the year. I feel so blessed to be part of an Oblate community.”

“Beautiful presentation with a practical approach to gentleness and simplicity.”

“Both speakers were spiritually maturing gifts. My hope and prayer is that the essence of their messages are tattooed on my heart and I act on them in true love.”

“Simple but profound definitions of gentleness, patience,and simplicity.”

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“I always come away with concrete actions to expand my faith and intellect.”

Live Jesus! FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to register in advance?

There is no charge for the event thanks to the generosity of individual sponsors. By registering you make it possible for us to be good stewards of these generous gifts. At registration, you may choose to make a contribution but this is not required.

How do I learn more about Salesian Spirituality?

Visit www.oblates.org and click on the Spirituality tab. You can also watch videos by clicking on the Live Jesus! Use the link HERE.

Who can attend Live Jesus!?

Everyone – high school students through adults.

Are Live Jesus! gathering offered in different locations?

Yes! Annual gatherings are offered in various locations as follows:

Advent season – Delaware

Lenten season – Virginia & Pennsylvania

Specific dates and locations are announced in the DeSales Weekly newsletter, on this website and in the local parishes.

Will the event be live on Zoom?

Live Jesus! is an in-person event that will be videotaped as is done every year. At this time there is no plan to offer an option for ZOOM or live online viewing of the retreat.

What is the dress code?

Come as you are! Most arrive dressed in business casual.

What if I have more questions?

Call the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales at 410-398-3057 or email info@oblates.org