Third Sunday of Advent

The third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday.” “Gaudete” in Latin means “rejoice.” 

One of the traditions associated with the third Sunday of Advent is “Bambinelli Sunday.”
Each year, 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 Baby Jesus – the Bambinelli – from their family’s Nativity scene. During the noontime prayer, the pope blesses the children and the figurines they have brought.

We invite everyone to bring their figurines of the Baby Jesus to Mass for a blessing.