Sunday, December 17th
Following 9:00am Mass in Mercy Park

"The blessing of the 'Bambinelli' - as they are called in Rome - reminds us that the Nativity scene is a school of life where we can learn the secret of true joy." - Pope Benedict XVI, Sermon for Gaudete Sunday, December 13, 2009.

Each year in Rome, on the Third Sunday of Advent, children gather with their families in St. Peter's Square for "Bambinelli Sunday."  The children bring with them figures of the Christ Child - the "Bambinelli" - from their family's Nativity scene.  During the noontime Angelus prayer, the pope blesses the children and the figurines they have brought.

On  Sunday , December 17th, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Our Lady of Mercy Church continues this tender tradition by blessing Baby Jesus figurines from parishioners' home nativity scenes.  We encourage you and your children to bring the figure of Baby Jesus from your creche to Mercy Park.  As we gather by the parish creche we will sing with our OLM Children's Choir and bless the Baby Jesus figurines.  Hot chocolate and donuts will be served too!

Bring Your Baby Jesus Figurine

 Bambinelli available for purchase after
all Masses the weekend of December 10th