Blessing of the Bambinelli

The Blessing of the Bambinelli was first instituted by Pope Saint John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent, children in Rome are encouraged to bring their "Bambinelli" (Baby Jesus) from their Nativity sets to be blessed by the Pope in St. Peter's Square. The Blessing of the Bambinelli has spread around the world, and we are going to start celebrating this tradition at St. Peter in Lorain! During the weekend of December 14/15, bring baby Jesus figurines from any Nativity set to be blessed during Mass. Traditionally, the baby Jesus figurine is then wrapped and left under the tree to be the first gift opened on Christmas Eve.