Blessing of the Christ Child Figures

During his pontificate, Saint John Paul II instituted the celebration of “Bambinelli Sunday” on the Third Sunday of Advent – the day on which the children of Rome may bring their Christ Child figures from their family crèches to St. Peter’s Square for a special blessing.  For over thirty years, following the Sunday Angelus address, the Holy Father has blessed the Christ Child figures which the children then take back to homes, hiding them until they could place these figurines in the family Christmas cribs on Christmas morning.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have continued this beautiful tradition, blessing the Christ Child Crèche figures that children bring to St. Peter’s Square on Gaudete Sunday.  Parishes around the world are invited to join in this celebration by encouraging young children to make the important connection between the Nativity displays in their homes and those at their churches. Saint Francis of Assisi first created the Christmas crèche in the town of Grecio to assist the local people in becoming more aware of the Christmas story.

We invite you to bring your Christ Child figure to one of the Masses the weekend of December 17 for a special blessing. We will also have a special blessing of our Christmas Trees after the two 5pm Masses that weekend as well.