Bambinelli Sunday
The Blessing of the Bambinelli was first instituted by St. John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent, he encouraged children to bring the baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square in Rome, and following the Sunday Angelus address, he blessed the figurines.
The tradition has continued and has spread to other churches around the world. This Advent tradition is a way for children, as well as adults, to connect their Nativity scene at home to the celebration of Christmas at their church.
Celebrations in the Diocese of Portland
Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston
Prince of Peace Parish invites children and adults to bring their Baby Jesus figurines to any of the parish's celebrated on Sunday, December 15. A Mass schedule can be found here.
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, Camden
People are invited to bring their Baby Jesus figurines to be blessed at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, December 15, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street in Belfast.
St. John Paul II Parish, Scarborough
At the end of all Masses on the weekend of December 14 & 15, the priests of St. John Paul II Parish will have the blessing of Baby Jesus figurines. This is a time-honored tradition where the Pope gives a blessing during the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square on the third Sunday of Advent. A Mass schedule can be found here.
St. Joseph Parish, Farmington
Children are invited to bring their Baby Jesus figurines to the Sunday, December 15, 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Masses at St. Joseph Church, 133 Middle Street in Farmington.
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias
The blessing of Bambinelli will take place during the Saturday, December 14, 4:30 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street n Lubec, during the Sunday, December 15, 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street in Machias, and during the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Michael Church, 51 Elm Street in Cherryfield.
St. Rose of Lima Parish, Jay
Children are invited to bring their Baby Jesus figurines to the Saturday, December 14, 4 p.m. and Sunday, December 15, 8:30 a.m. Masses at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street in Jay.
