Posted December 17, 2021

Students throughout the Philadelphia Archdiocese depicted various scenes from the Christmas story as part of an annual artwork contest sponsored by the archdiocesan Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), part of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

The artists were honored during the World Mission Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, and Benjamin Robbins was also named a winner in the national MCA contest.

A selection of the winning entries appears below. For a full list of winners, read our feature article on World Mission Sunday.

(All photos courtesy of Alixandra Holden, Archdiocese of Philadelphia Pontifical Mission Societies.)

  • Mary and Jesus are attended by smiling angels in this piece by Thu Tran of Holy Innocents School in Philadelphia.

  • A beaming Mary is framed by a galaxy of stars and smiling angels as she holds the Christ Child in this drawing by Natalia Tomczak of the Regina Coeli School.

  • Marguerite Somers of St. James Regional School evoked a stained glass effect in her Madonna and Child piece.

  • The Magi stand in awed silhouette before the Star of Bethlehem in this sketch by Lucas Santoro of Maternity B.V.M. School in Philadelphia.

  • Soft pastel tones lend a sense of tranquility to this depiction of the visit of the Magi by Gwyneth Seery of St. Joseph-St. Robert School.

  • The Magi gaze in wonder as the Star of Bethlehem illumines a shadowy landscape in this image by Angelina Dang of St. Jerome School.

  • Benjamin Robbins worked for weeks with his art teacher to ensure his rendering of the archangel Gabriel would be sufficiently vibrant.

  • Mary journeys prayerfully to Bethlehem alongside St. Joseph in this sketch by Fiona Gribbin of St. Mary Magdalen School.

  • Animals watch protectively over a radiant baby Jesus in this depiction by Dashiell Greenawalt from St. Peter the Apostle School.

  • Shepherds hearken to the angelic news of Christ’s birth in this drawing by Ellis Borrosso of St. Laurentius School.

  • Starshine pours over the manger scene in this creation by Vincent Peter Cipriani of St. Eleanor Parish School.

  • The Star of Bethlehem bathes the infant Jesus in heavenly light in this image by Kiera Williamson of St. Anastasia Parish School.