Ave Maria University Benefactors Display International Perspective on Christmas

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Published on Monday, 07 December 2009 14:59

Through her generosity, a large portion of her collection has been donated to Ave Maria University and will be available for display through February 28, 2010, at La Piazza in Ave Maria.

This all began when Mrs. Staffeldt's friend and mentor, Judge Genevieve Blatt, gave her a small pewter nativity scene of the Holy Family while Mrs. Staffeldt was working under her direction in Pennsylvania. Judge Blatt was the first woman to sit as a Pennsylvania appellate judge on Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court. Of note, Judge Blatt has received three papal honors, including the Lady Grand Cross in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

In the ensuing years, Mrs. Staffeldt has collected nativity scenes from all over the world; many in her collection were given to her by friends and family. "Many of our crèches have been collected during travels throughout Eastern and Central Europe and South America," Mr. Ray Staffeldt said. The first crèche he gave his wife, Isabelle, was brought from Jordan, in the Middle East.

The unique aspects of the crèches, their varying colors, figurines and shapes, symbolize different things according to the country of origin. Each follows traditions according to original art and culture. For example, in South America, an oversize figurine of a chicken would symbolize a food source. (left, a crèche from Peru)

Among the favorites displayed from the Staffeldts' personal collection is one from Mexico, which was hand made by the native people and personally transported by the Staffeldts into the U.S. It is particularly noted for its pastel colors and distinctive shapes.

Mrs. Staffeldt said that her love for the nativity scene spawned from her love for the Christ Child and her admiration for the Holy Family, which she believes is the model for all families.

"We wanted to donate and display these nativity scenes because they are a physical witness to the global belief that people all over the world honor the Christ Child, revere the Holy Family and celebrate Christ's birth as the true meaning of Christmas," Mrs. Staffeldt said. (right, from Bangladesh)

 "We also believe there should be a crèche in every Christian home," she continued. "There is so much emphasis put on being politically correct today that people are afraid to show their belief in God---even at Christmastime, when the word ‘Christmas' comes from ‘Christ.'"

AMU founder and Chancellor Thomas S. Monaghan, who also collects crèches, does so for the reason of keeping Christ central to Christmas.

"I have always wanted to keep the focus on the spiritual during Christmas; the crèche keeps Christ in Christmas," Mr. Monaghan said.

Collection favorites include crèches from Mexico and Germany. Mr. Monaghan's collection will be available for viewing inside the shops on Annunciation Circle in Ave Maria Town, and shown in conjunction with the Staffeldts' collection, which will be on display in the Ave Maria Gallery and History Museum, located in La Piazza, next to Tropical Smoothie. 

Click here for Ave Maria Merchants Display Nativity Scenes from Around the World by AnnaMarie Sanderson