On the 13th of December, Fr Harry visited our school to bless our Bambinelli, before we take them home.
This is an annual tradition in Italy, which is in preparation for Christmas. 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 the baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from each of their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square. Following the Sunday Angelus address, the Pope blesses the figurines.
This week, the children will take their Bambinelli home, to have it wrapped up and placed under their Christmas Tree ot somewhere special, so that on Christmas morning it will be the first present they open. Then they will know that they have Jesus in their home on his birthday.
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