At the home of the Infant King, Christmas has a most significant importance. Where His Divine Infancy is celebrated year-round, the commemoration of His birth is all the more grand.

In the magnificent setting of a restoration-in-progress Church, decorated by generously donated tall, elegant Christmas trees, all three Masses of Christmas were offered publically.

The Midnight Mass was preceded by a medley of traditional Christmas Carols. The Sacred Ministers processed to the Nativity built by the Altar Boys and their fathers, placed the statue of the Newborn Savior therein and together with all the faithful we renewed our consecration to Him. Canon Matthew Talarico, Substitute Provincial offered the Midnight Mass. A polyphonic choir under the direction of Mr. Bruce Tammen sang Victoria's Missa O Magnum Mysterium.

Early in the morning on Christmas Day, Canon Denis Buchholz, the Provincial Bursar, celebrated the Mass of Dawn. Abbe Colin, clerical Oblate, played the organ. Canon Michael Stein, Vice-Rector of the Shrine, offered the Solemn High Christmas Day Mass. The Shrine’s very own young adult choir, Cor Jesu, sang polyphonic hymns to add the splendor of their voices to the majesty of the Divine Liturgy.

Christmas is universally recognized as a family holy day. Our Savior's birth formed the Holy Family and we exchange gifts in imitation of the three kings. This same family spirit manifested itself at the Shrine in the warm Christmas Reception that followed the day Mass. Every year more and more families come to celebrate Christmas with their spiritual family and friends before heading back to their homes.

May the Infant King continue to reign in our hearts and actions. The Christmas celebrations elevate our souls and motivate our hearts to make these good resolutions.