GAUDETE SUNDAY | Bambinelli Sunday
Saint John Henry Newman, Victoria, BC Bambinelli Sunday occurs on the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, a time when the faithful prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. Historical Context and Significance The Blessing of the Bambinelli was first instituted by St. John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent, the children of Rome are encouraged to bring figurines of the baby Jesus from each of their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square. The celebration of Bambinelli Sunday has its roots in the Italian custom of blessing figurines of the Baby Jesus that families use in their nativity scenes. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of the nativity scene in the Christmas celebration, which symbolizes God's incarnation and His closeness to humanity. By reminding the faithful of God's physical presence in the earth, the nativity scene is "like a living Gospel," bringing the message of the Incarnation into homes and communities. Celebration and Rituals...