“BAMBINELLI SUNDAY”
Gaudate Sunday (Advent III), 13 December
Each year on the 3rd Sunday of Advent (“Gaudate Sunday”), children in Rome gather with their families in St. Peter’s Square for “Benedizione del Bamninelli.” The children bring with them the “Bambinello” – the Christ Child figurine – from their family’s home crèche, and at the noon Angelus, the Pope blesses the children, their families, and the figurines they have brought. On Gaudate Sunday, we will unite our hearts to the Holy Father’s and the children and families gathered with him and bless our own “Bambinelli.” So – whatever your age! – bring your Christ Child and the children will present them for a blessing at the conclusion of Mass on Sunday!
“Advent and Christmas are about welcoming the Word of God into our lives – which means our homes. The blessing of the Bambinelli – which we bring from our homes and return there – is an embodiment of this.”
Learn more!
- Bambinelli Sunday: A Christmas Blessing is a wonderful children's book for the season by Amy Welborn & Ann Engelhart.
- Amy Welborn has lots of resources at her blog, including instructions for making your own Bambinelli.