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Devotion to Maria Bambina
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Salve Maria!
Since you are very devoted to Our Lady, I am sure you will enjoy knowing about this devotion to Maria Bambina – the Child Mary – which is not very spread. Given that it is a little late, perhaps this year you will not have conditions to follow the entire novena in preparation for her nativity on September 8, but it does not hurt to keep it on TIA pages to allow people, in the years to come, to honor the Mother of God in this way.
Best regards,
In Jesu et Maria,
Judy Mead
Holy Mother Church celebrates the birthday of Our Blessed Mother Mary on the 8th of September each year, but rarely is our attention drawn to Our Lady as an infant. Devotion to Maria Bambina helps to fill that void.
The miraculous image of Maria Bambina was made prior to 1730 by a Franciscan nun who afterwards entrusted Her to others. During the ensuing years, she came into the care of the Sisters of Charity at Lovere, Italy. In 1856, these Sisters of Charity were asked to take over the management of the Hospital of Ciceri in Milan and, in 1876, this waxen image was carried to their Mother House there at Via Santa Sofia 13, where she has remained ever since.
The beautiful image of the Maria Bambina was exposed for veneration only on the 8th of September, the Feast of Mary's Nativity. In 1884, those who were devoted to the Maria Bambina received a reward for their devotion. Due to paralysis in her arms and feet, Sister Josephine Woinovich was bedridden and in unbearable pain. On the 8th of September, she begged the Mother General to get Maria Bambina and leave the image near her overnight. The following morning the Mother General was inspired to take the image, so old, worn and grayish colored to the other sick Sisters in the infirmary so they could kiss her.
There was in the infirmary a good novice, Giulia Macario, who was unable to move because of her serious illness, but who, overcome by her ardent faith, took the image into her arms and pleaded with her in tender and loving words for the grace for her recovery. She was immediately and miraculously cured, for such Faith moves mountains. And at the same time this image itself underwent an amazing transformation from the former dull gray color to the warm flesh hues it has today, as can be seen, where she is enshrined in the Sanctuary of the Mother House in Milan.
Many graces and miracles have come from devotion to the Maria Bambina, among them the recovery of Sister Josephine Woinovich herself. And that is why these sisters are now commonly known as the Sisters of Maria Bambina. Each year on Our Lady's birthday, the Sisters of the Bambina touch small pieces of cotton to the miraculous image of the Maria Bambina. These pieces of cotton are then distributed as sacramentals to those who have become attached to devotion of Maria Bambina.
(Taken from information provided by the Sisters. Imprimatur: In Curia Arch Mediolani die 14-1-1931; Theresius Ferraroni)
Statue of Our Lady Child venerated at the Maria Bambina Sanctuary in Milan
Holy Child Mary of the royal house of David, Queen of the angels, Mother of grace and love, I greet you with all my heart. Obtain for me the grace to love the Lord faithfully during all the days of my life. Obtain for me, too, a great devotion to you, who are the first creature of God's love.
Pray the "Hail Mary..."
O heavenly Child Mary, who like a pure dove was born immaculate and beautiful, true prodigy of the wisdom of God, my soul rejoices in you. Oh! Do help me to preserve the angelic virtue of purity at the cost of any sacrifice.
Pray the "Hail Mary..."
Hail, lovely and holy Child, spiritual garden of delight, where, on the day of the Incarnation, the tree of life was planted, assist me to avoid the poisonous fruit of vanity and pleasures of the world. Help me to engraft into my soul the thoughts, feelings, and virtues of your divine Son.
Pray the "Hail Mary..."
Hail, admirable Child Mary, Mystical Rose, closed garden, open only to the heavenly Spouse. O Lily of paradise, make me love the humble and hidden life; let the heavenly Spouse find the gate of my heart always open to the loving calls of His graces and inspiration.
Pray the "Hail Mary..."
Holy Child Mary, mystical dawn, gate of heaven, you are my trust and hope. O powerful advocate, from your cradle stretch out your hand, support me on the path of life. Make me serve God with ardor and constancy until death and so reach an eternity with you.
Pray the "Hail Mary..."
Blessed Child Mary, destined to be the Mother of God and our loving Mother, by the heavenly graces you lavish upon us, mercifully listen to my supplications. In the needs which press upon me from every side and especially in my present tribulation, I place all my trust in you.
O holy Child, by the privileges granted to you alone and by the merits which you have acquired, show that the source of spiritual favours and the continuous benefits which you dispense are inexhaustible, because your power with the Heart of God is unlimited.
Deign through the immense profusion of graces with which the Most High has enriched you from the first moment of your Immaculate Conception, grant me, O Celestial Child, my petition, and I shall eternally praise the goodness of your Immaculate Heart.
(Imprimatur: In Curia Archiep. Mediolani, 31 August 1931, Can. Cavezal, Pro Vic. Gen)
The statue is placed above the main altar
A stained glass window at the same sanctuary