What is Bambinelli Sunday?

Does your church celebrate Bambinelli Sunday? What is it? Let's learn more!

The Blessing of the Bambinelli was started by Saint John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent - this year, Sunday, Dec. 14 - the children of Rome are encouraged to bring the baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from each of their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square. Following the Sunday Angelus address, the Pope blesses the figurines. 

Now celebrated in other churches around the world, this Advent tradition is a way for children to connect their Nativity scene at home to the celebration of Christmas at their church. In many churches around the archdiocese, families are invited to bring the baby Jesus from their nativity scenes to be blessed and even wrapped to be opened as the first gift of Christmas.

On Bambinelli Sunday 2008, Pope Benedict XVI delivered the following blessing for the children of Rome, which can be used today:

God, our Father

you so loved humankind

that you sent us your only Son Jesus,

born of the Virgin Mary,

to save us and lead us back to you.

We pray that with your Blessing

these images of Jesus,

who is about to come among us,

may be a sign of your presence and

love in our homes.

Good Father,

give your Blessing to us too,

to our parents, to our families and

to our friends.

Open our hearts,

so that we may be able to

receive Jesus in joy,

always do what he asks

and see him in all those

who are in need of our love.

We ask you this in the name of Jesus,

your beloved Son

who comes to give the world peace.

He lives and reigns forever and ever.

Amen.