The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii

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Christmas 2023

Christmas is the season of memories, the season of joy and expectation, the season of hope and promise.  Christmas has changed for me over the years, but these things remain true.

I cherish memories of growing up in our very traditional Italian Catholic family in Albany, New York.  Memories of childhood Christmases rush back and delight me with the sights of Italian delicacies and our family Nativity scene.

Christmas at the Shrine is a gift – a gift that we share.  We are truly blessed to have been able to keep our doors open for more than 29 years, and I am blessed to have celebrated many of those years with you, your family and our community of faith at The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii.

The only way we have been able to maintain our ministry is through the generosity of friends like you. Your support is needed to help the Shrine touch more hearts and open its doors wider, not only to the Italian-American community, but to all who long for a place of peace, a place of comfort, respite and hope.  Your generous offering makes possible all we do here at the Shrine.  Your goodness holds open these time-honored and historic doors.

I hope the joy of Christmas and the presence of our infant Lord and Savior be unchanging in your life and the lives of your loved ones.  I pray you will celebrate the birth of Jesus with our Shrine community again this year.

May the joy and songs of Christmas be in your heart and the twinkling lights and infant Lord and Savior shine on you and give you hope.

With the blessings of Christ and Our Mother, Mary,

Rev. Richard Fragomeni, PhD

Rector