News - Prelature of Ayaviri - Faithful fill the Cathedral at the traditional Christmas Vigil

Ayaviri, December 26. Almost 2000 Ayaviri locals filled the Saint Francis of Assisi Cathedral on Christmas Eve to give thanks to God for the gift of his birth among us. The Mass began at 9pm and was presided by Bishop Kay Martin Schmalhausen S.C.V. The Prelate of Ayaviri invited all to marvel at the great mystery of the Nativity of the Son of God and to intensely live the joy of this feast so dear to the People of God.

Hundreds of faithful brought the "babies" from their Nativity scenes for the traditional blessing at the end of the celebration of the Eucharist. Many of these "babies" are inheritances spanning back many generations and manifest the deep-rooted love of the Ayavirians for the Baby Emmanuel. In the Octave of Christmas and up until the Arrival of the Three Kings at Epiphany many groups of children knock on the doors of houses throughout the city to adore Jesus with traditional Christmas carols played to the tune of local instruments.