Father Callistus' Christmas Nativity Crib

Viewing Fr. Callistus’ Christmas Nativity Scene

St. Boniface Parish, as well as surrounding communities and visitors from all over the country—and world, have enjoyed viewing the Christmas Nativity. There is perhaps none to be found that can compare in beauty, originality, and design, and one that exemplifies the true purpose and meaning of Christmas.

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Father Callistus Rectenwald's famous Nativity scene.

Origin of the St. Boniface Nativity Crib

When Father Callistus Rectenwald arrived as pastor in 1927, he made plans for a beautiful Nativity scene in the church. His first Christmas at Vincent may well be recorded as the beginning of the beautiful Nativity scenes the parish has had the pleasure to view and enjoy over the past many years. Few men have the art of producing such a masterpiece as Father Callistus.

He adapted himself to the people of Vincent, the parish, the quiet life, and especially to our church. He won the admiration of every one in the community. But in July 1928, Father Callistus was transferred to Charleston, West Virginia.

Life in the east did not agree with him and he became ill. In the fall of 1928, he was transferred back to Victoria to recuperate. No doubt there was one thought and prayer in Father Callistus’ mind and that was “Dear Lord, give me back Vincent.” This wish and desire became a reality in February 1929. The parish was very happy when the announcement came that Father Callistus would return to Vincent.

Upon his return, Father Callistus started to make improvements to the church. He also added to the unique Nativity scene he had begun during his first assignment at St. Boniface parish. A beautiful set of figurines represent the Holy Family, the Wise Men, and Shepherds, and the sheep and other animals that could be found in the land where our Lord was born. There are the hills with their ledge of rock, the valleys where the shepherds are watching their flock of sheep, the streams and waterfalls, and the pine trees adorned with lights and ornaments. These portray such an illustrious scene that cannot be justly described in words. The revolving lights cast a variety of colors on the scene giving the effect of early morning light, the brightness of midday, and the setting of the evening sun. The bright shining star of Bethlehem above the scene casts out its inviting rays of light, inviting all to come to see our Lord in the crib.

In addition to all this you will find an unusual collection of stones, shells, and pieces of ore from nearly every country and island of the world. They are arranged on the landscaping in a manner to display their beauty. Why the stones and shells you may ask? As this collection of stones and shells represent nearly all the lands of the earth, they represent the people of the world for whom Christ was born, lived, suffered, and died, for the redemption of all mankind. This is what makes the scene so impressive and inspiring.

It took many years to accumulate this collection of stones. After it became known that Father Callistus was interested in such a collection, friends, relatives, and others began collecting and sending rare and beautiful pieces of stone, ore, or shells to him. Young men of our parish serving in the armed forces in foreign lands contributed towards this collection. Many were obtained by the pastor by writing to foreign missionaries for stones, etc., and through their cooperation Father Callistus was able to amass his collection. It is no doubt one of the most unique collections to be found anywhere. Each stone and shell is labeled so that it can be fully identified as to its place of origin.

Father Callistus Rectenwald continued to build upon the crib scene—a very special “Little Town of Bethlehem”—until his death in 1980. The Nativity display, which began as a labor of love for Father Callistus in 1927, is now a monument to his memory. Each Christmas season, members of the Parish reassemble the display as a tribute to its creator and as a memorial in his name for the education of Seminarians in the Capuchin Order.