Christmas at Saint Scholastica Monastery is made up of a series of gatherings through which the community celebrates this holy season.  Primary among these, of course, are the Christmas liturgies, beginning at Evening Prayer on December 24, when the community gathers to celebrate the First Vespers of Christmas.  Midnight Mass, later that evening,is a joyful celebration of the Nativity, beginning with Sister Agnes chanting the Christmas Proclamation, through the singing of the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo" during the Christmas Gloria to the strains of “Joy to the World” in closing.  Afterwards, the Sisters and their many guests gathered for the annual “Shepherds’ Breakfast.” 

The Mass on Christmas Day is followed by a festive dinner; the community had an extra reason to rejoice this year: Sister Mary Alice celebrated her 100th birthday on Christmas Day!  The community and guests, ranging in age from barely one to one hundred years old, sang Happy Birthday and watched as Sister Mary Alice blew out the candles on her birthday cake.  Among the treats served that day were cookies that she baked in the week before Christmas!

 

Smaller celebrations both lead up to and follow Christmas Day itself.  Sister Mariella, assisted by Sister Sue Kilduski, also hosted the annual Christmas Eve party at which community gifts to the residents of the infirmary are distributed. On December 27, the community continues the tradition of the Blessing of the Wine in honor of the Feast of St. John the Evangelist.  Many years ago, this followed early morning Mass, and the community consumed wine along with cookies for breakfast; now it follows evening prayer and the wine is served at dinner! Midway through the week, the Sisters who remain at the monastery also gather for Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols.  All of these gatherings allow the Sisters a chance to enjoy each other’s company during the Christmas season and to reflect on the blessing of community and the joy of the Nativity.