La Befana - January 6

When we arrived in Rome, we encountered little dolls of witches on sale everywhere, and were told she is La Befana, and is celebrated at Christmas. Many of the dolls look more like American decorations for Halloween, so it was hard to understand why she is so beloved. Today, I found out. Today, the Feast of the Epiphany, and the journey of the Magi, is the day of Le Befana. I had the good fortune to meet La Befana on the street, distributing sweets to children. (I will post her picture later.) Here is the story of La Befana:

As legend has it the three Wise Men were in search of the Christ child when they decided to stop at a small house to ask for directions. Upon knocking, an old woman holding a broom opened the door slightly to see who was there. Standing at her doorstep were three colorfully dressed men who were in need of directions to find the Christ child. The old woman was unaware of who these three men were looking for and could not point them in the right direction. Prior to the three men leaving they kindly asked the old woman to join them on their journey. She declined because she had much housework to do.

After they left she felt as though she had made a mistake and decided to go and catch up with the kind men. After many hours of searching she could not find them. Thinking of the opportunity she had missed the old woman stopped every child to give them a small treat in hopes that one was the Christ child. Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking for the baby Jesus. She stops at each child's house to leave those who were good treats in their stockings and those who were bad a lump of coal.

May we each search for the Christ child this year, carrying joy and celebration with us as we go. Buona Festa!

Sister Edith