Third Sunday of Advent

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

Gaudete Sunday

Bambinelli Sunday

In other years: Pope Saint Damasus I (304-384); Saint Maria Maravillas of Jesus (1891-1974)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 58:1-16 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers

Mass: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Resp Ps 146; James 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

The Lord God keeps faith forever.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

(James 5:8)

Welcome to the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. We rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near (Entrance Antiphon, Mass). At the same time it is Bambinelli Sunday in Rome and now, thankfully, other parts of the world. The tradition started when Pope Saint John Paul II invited children to bring the statue of the baby Jesus that would be placed in their Nativity scenes at home to Saint Peter's Square during the pontiff's Angelus Address on the Third Sunday of Advent. Then the Holy Father blessed the statues. The tradition was maintained by Pope Benedict XVI and continues with Pope Francis. In his greeting to the children today, Pope Francis invited the children to "pray, before the Creche, that the nativity of the Lord will bring a ray of peace to little children all over the world, especially those forced to live the terrible and dark days of war, this war in Ukraine that destroys many lives, so many lives, and many children." Come, little children, come. 

And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, 

for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways.

(Lk 1:76)

POPE SAINT DAMASUS I,

SAINT MARIA MARAVILLAS OF JESUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Our Advent wreath set for the Third Week. Lord, come and save us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022