LEWISTON — On Sunday, Dec. 15, the Prince of Peace Parish invites families and community members to participate in “Bambinelli Sunday,” an Advent tradition where children and adults bring the Baby Jesus figures from their home Nativity sets to be blessed during Mass at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, 122 Ash St.
This custom, established by Saint Pope John Paul II, connects the home manger scene to the church’s celebration of Christmas, offering a way for families of all backgrounds to prepare spiritually for the holiday.
All Saturday and Sunday Masses at Prince of Peace’s five churches in Lewiston, Sabattus and Lisbon Falls are set to feature this blessing on the third Sunday of Advent, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15. Guests can bring any style of Baby Jesus figurine — from heirloom porcelain to simple plastic “little tykes” — to be blessed and later placed in their home cribs on Christmas morning, according to a news release from the parish.
Primary Sunday Mass times:
11 a.m. Holy Family, 607 Sabattus St., Lewiston
10:30 a.m., Basilica, 122 Ash St., Lewiston, Principle, Celebration of the Parish
10:30 a.m. Holy Trinity, 67 Frost Hill Ave., Lisbon Falls
8:30 a.m. Holy Cross, 1080 Lisbon St., Lewiston
8:30 a.m. Our Lady of the Rosary, 131 High St., Sabattus
Additional Advent Offerings:
Night Prayer from the Rectory Kitchen: 9 p.m. nightly during Advent, at princeofpeace.me.
Lessons and Carols: Dec. 14, 7 p.m. at the Basilica — a service of Scripture and song to enrich the holiday season.
For more information, contact Tyler Nadeau at 207-296-6360 or [email protected].