Across the Archdiocese of Newark last week, Catholic school hallways were lined with empty sneakers and snow boots in observance of the Feast Day of St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas, also known as Nikolaos of Myra, was a 4th-century Christian bishop in Lycia, Asia Minor – modern-day Turkey. Renowned for his acts of kindness and generosity, St. Nicholas became the patron saint of children, sailors, and the oppressed. His feast day, observed on Dec. 6, holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics around the world.
The feast day is marked by various traditions observed by Catholics and other Christian communities. While customs can vary across regions and cultures, some common St. Nicholas Day traditions include prayer services, parades, gift giving, baking and sharing St. Nicholas cookies and treats, and engaging in acts of charity and kindness inspired by St. Nicholas’s reputation for helping those in need. Another popular St. Nicholas Day tradition involves children leaving a shoe or a boot in front of the fireplace or the front door on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day, hoping to wake up to it filled with gifts from St. Nicholas. Oranges and gold coins represent St. Nicholas rescuing three girls by paying their dowries. Candy canes, resembling a bishop’s crosier, are also given.
Catholic school students around the Archdiocese celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas this year:
At Holy Trinity School in Westfield, members of the student council stayed after school on Tuesday, Dec. 5, to fill the shoes of kindergarten students with St. Nicholas Day treats. The children left their shoes out overnight in anticipation of the Feast Day.On Dec. 6, Holy Trinity pre-k and kindergarten students were excited to discover the treats in their shoes. The students also completed St. Nicholas-themed crafts and learned about the life of the saint.At Saint Catherine of Siena School in Cedar Grove, older students dressed in festive hats and delivered candy canes to the Pre-K and Kindergarten students, who left their shoes outside the classroom in anticipation of St. Nicholas Day treats.At Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell, each student carefully positioned a single shoe in the hallway outside their homeroom classrooms. Guided by the generous spirit of St. Nicholas, the student council members, acting as devoted helpers of the saint, traversed the hallways to deliver candy canes and holiday cheer to their classmates.Students from every grade level at St. John’s Academy in Hillsdale enjoyed St. Nicholas Day traditions. Pre-K students received goody bags containing candy canes and oranges. Oranges symbolize wealth and luxury in certain cultures and are incorporated into St. Nicholas Day celebrations to represent the gold legend in which St. Nicholas paid the dowry of three impoverished maidens. To observe the feast day, students at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit came together in the school lobby for a festive gathering. They enjoyed a “feast” of snacks and refreshments while collectively decorating the Christmas tree.
