The Presepio of Mercy Installation at Most Precious Blood Church Comes to a Close

Pulcinella

It looks like the rumors were true after all, the Presepio of Mercy at Most Precious Blood Church in Manhattan’s historic Little Italy, has been sold and is being packed for shipment. I learned this news Tuesday evening while visiting the church for our San Rocco Feast committee meeting. Arriving early, I entered the church for a Holy Hour of Prayer and found the Neapolitan presepio disassembled in the nave. A lone Pulcinella, a stock character in Neapolitan puppetry and Commedia dell'arte, was all that remained on the desolate tableau.

While talk of selling the presepio had been ongoing for nearly a year, I was beginning to think it would never happen and was admittedly surprised to see the crèche denuded of its myriad figures inspired by Caravaggio’s extraordinary, The Seven Acts of Mercy (circa 1607), and Rembrandt van Rijn’s, The Return of the Prodigal Son (circa 1669).

Officially unveiled on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, the Nativity of Mercy was commissioned by Monsignor Donald Sakano in conjunction with Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy. It was crafted by the world-renowned La Scarabottola workshop in Naples and was installed by Raffaele and Emmanuelle Scuotto.

The desolate scenery

Admittedly, the reception for the Neapolitan masterpiece was mixed, but I believe it was generally positive. I myself was very excited about the presepio’s arrival and, despite the poor lighting, got great pleasure viewing it on many occasions.

Illumination aside, the biggest complaint I heard about the presepio was the removal of the rear pews to accommodate the artwork's massive base. Considering the church’s scanty attendance, the diminished seating would not normally be a problem, but it did (unintentionally) adversely affect the San Gennaro and San Rocco Feasts, which always fill the pews.

The front of the presepio

Now that the presepio is leaving, I would like to see the missing pews returned. However, the latest rumor has it that not only are the pews not going to be reinstalled, but the existing ones will be removed as well. Allegedly they are going to be replaced with new chairs and kneelers.

We shall see.

Either way Most Precious Blood Church continues to be a bastion of southern Italian faith and culture, of which the Nativity of Peace was a shining example. We avidly support the church's endeavors, especially its collaboration with the Italian feasts and Traditional Latin Mass, and encourage our readers to do the same.

The 128th Annual Feast of San Rocco will be celebrated on Sunday, August 20th at Noon, and the 91st Annual Feast of San Gennaro will be celebrated from September 14th thru 24th.

The back of the presepio
Photos by New York Scugnizzo