Cardinal Timothy Dolan and a few of us Rockettes pose for a photo with the stars of the “Living Nativity” scene!
It’s official: the holiday season is right around the corner … and what better way to kick off the spectacular season than by having His Eminence bless our animals in the Christmas Spectacular.
On Tuesday, Nov. 1, outside Radio City Music Hall, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, gave his blessing to our four-legged stars in the “Living Nativity” scene. (ICYMI: Check out our Facebook Livestream here!).
“It’s always an honor for me to be here at Radio City Music Hall,” says Cardinal Dolan. “The show is iconic and unfailingly, people always point to the end of the show with the live nativity scene where there is a complete reproduction of the magnificene of that first Chritmas in Bethlehem.”
Ted the camel, who has been in the show for more than 20 years, stood quietly alongside his fellow animal friends—two other camels, two sheep and a donkey (also named Ted!)—and a few of us Rockettes as the Cardinal gave his blessing:
“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit. Amen. Dear God of every nation and people. From the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love for us. When our need for a savior was so great, you sent your son to be born of the blessed Virgin Mary. To our lives, he brings joy and peace. Lord, please bless all who look upon this live Christmas scene here at Radio City Music Hall. Bless the animals and their professional handlers. Bless our beloved Rockettes. Bless the staff and the audience and the visitors here at Radio City Music Hall. May this remind us of the humble birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem and raise up the thoughts of hundreds and thousands of people to Him who is Emanuel God with us and savior of all. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit. Amen. Hallelujah!”
While the animals have been performing since the show’s inception in 1933, this is the second year in a row that Cardinal Dolan has blessed the animals.
“To be part of this is such a joy and honor,” says Cardinal Dolan. “You’re getting me into the Christmas spirit already!”
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