Christmas 1954, Mary Immaculate Novitiate, Litchfield, CT
This entry was made in the Chronicles of Mary Immaculate Novitiate in Litchfield Connecticut on Christmas Eve, 1954. It was composed for the postulants and novices to send home to their parents to give them a little idea of Christmas at Litchfield. We share it with you similarly to bring you back to look into the life of a Daughter of Wisdom 69 years ago.
Our Christmas preparations began, not with the coming of Santa into the large department stores, but with the first Sunday of Advent, when the Church bid us “make straight the way of the Lord….to prepare His Way.” For the few weeks preceding Christmas, we were busy preparing our hearts through silence and prayer and our material gifts and surprises by many and varied activities. Before we knew it, Christmas Eve was upon us and a festive air was enveloping the entire household. Strains of beautiful Christmas carols wafted up from the music room and bustling little postulants and novices could be found in all corners of the house, from the basement to the attic, all concealing from someone surprises of all kinds. Even the Sisters were hiding things from inquisitive glances and a many a door that had always been open began to be locked up as the big day drew nearer. Faithful Joe, the kind postman, spent many a long hour unloading boxes and packages at our front door, testimony of the loving hearts, far away, who were not forgetting their beloved children, most of whom were spending their first Christmas away from home. Many and appreciated were the gifts of flowers, fruit, cards, and the like that were sent to the Novitiate from friends far and near. They all served to make this feast a most Happy and Joyful one.
On Christmas Eve, after dinner, the whole household offered their Christmas wishes to Mother Patrick. The novices and postulants presented her with some very beautiful and useful gifts which they had so lovingly made. The postulants also had a little private celebration for their own Mistresses which pleased them very much. They had decorated their Postulate in a lovely festive garb and the big tree, all gleaming with decorations, told of their joyful spirits. Finishing touches were put on all the decorations in the Recreation Room which had been transformed into a veritable Christmas Fairyland and then it was time for supper.
After supper, the group went outside, candles in hand, to sing the traditional Christmas carols. This finished, the happy band, entering by the front door offered their merriest Christmas greetings to all the Sisters, and then went off to bed. While they were asleep (or pretending to be) loving hands made the rounds and prepared other surprises. Stockings, filled with all sorts of good things, were hung at a rapidly constructed fireplace in the novices’ classroom. Packages and letters were distributed and candles were set out all over the house to give a final touch to the decorations. At 11:00 P.M. the novices and postulants were awakened by the beautiful words of the liturgy: “And the Word was made Flesh”…to which they answered, “And dwelt amongst us.” From the dormitories, they descended “midst the chapel which was all aglow with lights and breathtaking in its simple, yet majestic beauty. Strains of beautiful organ music greeted the midnight visitors until the signal for office was given. The beautiful and appropriate prayer of the Canonical Hours “Lauds” was chanted by the entire group and at 5 minutes to twelve, the bell for Mass was heard. Just before the Mass, Mother Patrick solemnly walked to the crib and deposited the statue of thr Infant Savior in his little manger of straw…and then began the first of the three masses. The first one was a High Mass, magnificently sung by the choir and it was followed by two low masses during which we had the joy of hearing many of our beloved Christmas hymns and carols. The few hours spent in the chapel were the nearest thing to heaven that our earth can hold. Our little chapel was the scene of all the splendid pomp and grandeur of the vast cathedrals, and each heart therein was aglow with love and gratitude to a God who became one of us.
After the Masses, there was a very lovely breakfast prepared in our refectory, which was also lit by candles, and which spread a warm glow of cheer over the whole table. Many little surprises were at our places but the rest of them would be seen in the morning.
Christmas is the one day of the year when we can get up when we please and this liberty was enjoyed by everyone. However, at 9: most of the novices and postulants were up and after a visit to the chapel, were happy to see the surprises awaiting them. Their respective rooms became the scene of “Christmas morning at the home” multiplied 29 times! Letters, cards, packages, stockings, ribbon, wrappings, laughter and cheery greetings all mingled together to make a very joyous time.
The morning passed quickly and before we knew it, prayers were over and we were sitting down to our Christmas dinner. Even here, nothing was forgotten. Our devoted Sisters of the kitchen had worked long and hard to prepare the wonderful surprises the gave us at breakfast and again at dinner, Turkey and all the ‘trimmins’ as well as cake in the form of little Christmas trees, hand made rolls, cookies, ice cream cake, etc., etc., made up part of our menu.
After a walk in the cold, clear air, we returned to the chapel for Vespers and we enjoyed the rendition of “Macbeth” which one of our Sisters had received on records. This took us to 4 o’clock, free time, chapel and a beautiful benediction, picnic supper, a joyful recreation and then a farewell visit to the Crib before going off to bed.
Thus ended a happy and joyful Christmas in the house of the Lord.
Many thanks to all those who made it possible.
