A small group of carolers joined their voices to sing the Christmas classic “Silent Night” Dec. 19 in St. Paul.

The song was beautiful, the place where they stood was surprising. For perhaps the first time, the Nativity scene was displayed at the Minnesota State Capitol. Thanks to the efforts of a local Catholic, Colin Cain of St. Augustine in South St. Paul, the Holy Family spent four hours in the rotunda.

Cain’s wife, Jane, the choral director at the parish, recruited a group of about 20 people of all ages to sing Christmas songs while the Nativity scene was on display. Three parishes were represented: St. Joseph in Miesville, St. Joseph in Osceola, Wisconsin, and St. Augustine.

“When we were invited to set up a Nativity set down here at the Capitol, we jumped at it,” Jane Cain said. “Because it’s the perfect opportunity to remind all of the world, but Minnesota in particular, that it is Christmas and we’re celebrating that feast day.”

Supporting the Cains’ efforts are two national groups that have been helping others throughout the country do the same thing: the Thomas More Society and American Nativity Scene. The More society is a law firm that provides legal support to those who encounter resistance from state governments in trying to set up a Nativity scene in public places such as state capitol buildings. Colin Cain said he did not experience any opposition when he contacted state officials about setting up a Nativity this year.

“To see a Nativity set and have all these beautiful young people singing these carols in the capitol is a dream come true,” Jane said. “This is wonderful. We have to do this more. One of the (state) legislators came down and said, ‘You guys, we have to do this more often because this is what Minnesota needs — and the world.'”

According to Tom Ciesielka of the Thomas More Society, efforts to place Nativity scenes in state capitol buildings have been successful in 26 states. He is not aware of any failed attempt, nor of a prior instance of a Nativity scene being displayed at the Minnesota State Capitol. The goal is to do it in all 50 states, he said.

“This year, we had six new states, which I believe is the biggest increase year over year since this started about eight years ago,” he said.

“I just think it’s important that people realize that displaying your Catholic faith in public is perfectly acceptable,” Colin Cain said. “Let’s celebrate that fact and remind people that we wouldn’t be having a holiday if it weren’t for Christ’s birth. … Next year, I’m hoping that we would be able to do it maybe on the steps of the Capitol (and) for a longer period of time.”