Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore to display relic of sacred crib

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore will display the relics of the Sacred Crib closer to the faithful starting October 15. The exhibition will last for several weeks while workers restore the historic niche and the reliquary where the items are kept.

The relics consist of five thin pieces of sycamore wood traditionally identified as fragments from the manger in Bethlehem. These pieces are usually kept in the Confessio in front of the papal altar. During the restoration, the wood will be moved to a position that allows pilgrims and visitors to view the fragments more closely.