Bambinelli Sunday!

This Sunday, we embarked on a new custom at my parish: Bambinelli Sunday.

It’s a tradition popularized at the Vatican by Pope John Paul II, and it’s continued to this day. (Amy Welborn has even written a book about it.) People bring to church the infant Jesus from their nativity scenes at home, and they receive a special blessing by the priest at the end of Mass.

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This is the blessing for the occasion.

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There were dozens of people who lined up at each Mass.

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Folks were happy to show off their blessed babes after.

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Christmas is a week away, but the stable is set up in our church, awaiting the arrival of the Holy Family; it was still a popular site for prayer, even while empty. We continue to wait in joyful hope.

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Photos: by Deacon Greg Kandra