Christ Crib

Francesco Connola, a talented artist born in Naples, Italy, on January 23, 1977, has made his home in Cambridge, England, since 2024 with his wife, Concetta, and their son, Jacopo in 2003.

Francesco earned his fine arts degree in Naples and has since established himself as an accomplished painter and ancient art restorer, known for his dedication to craftsmanship and tradition.

This year, Francesco has graciously shared his expertise with The Church of Our Lady of The Assumption and the English Martyrs in Cambridge by creating a captivating presepio ( Christmas crib ) that beautifully illustrates the birth of our Lord. The presepio displays how the Lord Jesus was born to share the humanity of our human condition. The figures portray men and woman carrying out their daily jobs , because the Son of God became man for every man and every woman, regardless of their conditions of life. The Holy Family attract the attention of the visitor and all figures. The humble crib is the centre and the ultimate fulfilment for those who decide to look at the Saviour and His gentle light.

Canon Giuseppe Rizzi envisioned the nativity scene as a way to unite families and children, encouraging them to rediscover and embrace values that may have faded over the years. For Francesco, this initiative represents a wonderful opportunity for families to gather and reflect on the teachings and path that Jesus illuminated through His birth.

This cherished tradition of crafting nativity scenes has been passed down through generations of his family. We extend heartfelt gratitude to Mr Giuseppe Ruggiero and Mr Rocco Balzano, whose efforts in visiting Naples in November 2024 made it possible to bring back the essential figures representing the Holy Family.

We invite the public to experience this beautiful nativity scene during the church's opening hours:

 Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:15 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sunday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM