Reverend Dennis Gill, who serves as the Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and Director of the Office for Divine Worship for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will lead the 28th annual Blessing of the Nativity Scene. The ceremony is set to take place on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. outside on the lawn in front of the Cathedral located at 18th and Race Streets in Philadelphia.

The event is organized annually by the Christmas Crèche Committee with sponsorship from both the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus. Reverend Gill will oversee this year's blessing.

Students from Saint Francis Xavier Parish Elementary School in Philadelphia's Fairmount section are scheduled to perform traditional Christmas carols during the event. The public is invited to attend.

For further details about participating organizations, information can be found online at aoh.com for the Ancient Order of Hibernians and kofc.org for the Knights of Columbus. Additional information about the Cathedral Basilica can be accessed at cathedralphila.org.