A Cambria County parish continued a special tradition on the Third Sunday of Advent: Bambinelli Sunday.
Pope Saint John Paul II started the custom decades ago when he encouraged children in Rome to bring the baby Jesus – or in Italian, Bambinelli – from their Nativity to Saint Peter’s Square for a blessing on the Third Sunday of Advent.
These days it’s being celebrated in more and more faith communities around the world, including the Church of the Transfiguration in Conemaugh.
At all weekend Masses, parishioners and guests were invited to bring their baby Jesus statues and place them on tables in the sanctuary for the pastor, Father Robert Hall, to bless.
This was the third year for the celebration at Transfiguration.
Jordan Heinlein, a young adult parishioner, is the coordinator.
