by Dianne Hales | Dec 21, 2021 | books on Italy, Christmas in Italy, creche, food, Food and Drink, Italian, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Religion, Rome, saints, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Most families in Italy begin celebrating il Natale on the evening of December 24 (la vigilia di Natale) with a big dinner. Because Christmas Eve is a vigilia di magro (a day of abstinence on which the Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of meat), the centerpiece...
by Dianne Hales | Dec 14, 2021 | Christmas in Italy, creche, culture, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, Religion, Saint Francis, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Centuries ago, in 1223, San Francesco (Saint Francis), the charismatic friar of Umbria, wanted to bring to life the story of il natale di bambino Gesù (the birth of Baby Jesus). In the little town of Greccio, he placed a manger in some straw and added a living...
by Dianne Hales | Nov 30, 2021 | Christmas in Italy, culture, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, Religion, saints, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In some parts of Italy the feast of San Nicola, patron saint of Bari, ushers in the Christmas season with the giving of gifts on the eve or morning of December 6, his onomastico (name day). Although many stories of San Nicola’ s life may be mythical, he did inspire...
by Dianne Hales | Jan 4, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, Christmas in Italy, culture, history, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italy, Language, Sayings and expressions, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Long after many Americans have taken down their Christmas trees and packed away the decorations, Italians continue to celebrate. The final feast is l’Epifania (Epiphany), on January 6, which commemorates the arrival of the three kings, or the Magi, who followed the...
by Dianne Hales | Dec 23, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, Christmas in Italy, culture, history, Italy, Nativity scene, Religion, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Most families in Italy begin celebrating il Natale on the evening of December 24 (la vigilia di Natale) with a big dinner. Because Christmas Eve is a vigilia di magro (a day of abstinence on which the Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of meat), the centerpiece...
