12:00 AM
Happy Birthday, Mother Mary!
Let us also say, Happy Birthday, Infant Mary! Let us be
one with her parents, Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, and the other privileged ones
who saw the birth of the Immaculate Infant.
Only a few people practice veneration to the infant
form of Mother Mary. So now, I would
like to share with you this blessing of getting to know Mary as the Holy
Infant. You might just obtain a miracle
starting today, September 8, the feast of Mary’s nativity.
History of Santa Maria Bambina (Holy Infant Mary)
The
image was modeled in wax in 1735 by Sister Isabella Chiara Fornari (1697-1744),
superior of the Poor Clare Sisters in Todi, Italy.
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| Maria Bambina, Milan, Italy` |
In 1876, the waxen image was brought
to its current location at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Milan, Italy. During this time, devotion to Maria Bambina
was mostly limited to the sisters and novices within the religious community.
The image is kept in the novitiate and moved only to the chapel every feast day
of the Nativity of Mary (September 8th) and during the Octave (8-day
period of observance including the feast day and the 7 following days).
Time and events left their mark on the
wax image. The face became discolored and unattractive. It was then removed from the Novitiate and
was placed in a large chest of drawers, taken out only and brought to the
chapel to be displayed on the Nativity of Mary and during Octave.
Maria Bambina’s Beautiful Stories of Graces and Miracles
Beginning on September 9, 1884, Maria
Bambina rewarded those who had devotion to her.
Sister Josephine Woinovich was
bedridden due to paralysis of her arms and feet. On the 8th of September, she
begged the Mother General Nazari to bring the image of Maria Bambina to the
infirmary to remain near her overnight. The following morning Mother General
was inspired to take Maria Bambina, so old, worn, and gray to the other sick
sisters in the infirmary so that they could venerate Our Lady's image. In the
infirmary was a devout novice, Giulia Macario, who was unable to move because
of her serious illness. With ardent faith, she took the likeness of the Child
Mary into her arms and tenderly pleaded with Maria for the grace to regain her
health. Immediately she was miraculously cured!
After this miracle, the venerated image
was kept in Mother General Nazari’s room. On October 18, 1884, the Feast of the
Motherhood of Mary, Maria Bambina, dressed anew and placed in a beautiful
cradle, was solemnly carried and placed between two candelabra in a room on the
first floor as its provisional chapel. There the sisters would stop to spend
time in prayer on the single bench provided.
In the following months, Sister
Crocifissa Mismetti and Sister Giuseppa Woinovich were miraculously cured through
the intercession of Maria Bambina. Many graces and miracles come from devotion
to Maria Bambina. Sister Josephine Woinovich, the sister who originally had
asked the Mother General to bring the Baby Mary to the infirmary, also
recovered. That is why these Sisters of Charity have become known as the
Sisters of Maria Bambina.
Amazing
Transformation!
 |
| Maria Bambina's beautiful face |
On January 16, 1885, the Sisters
started noticing an amazing transformation in the image of Maria Bambina which
changed from the former dull yellow and gray color to warm flesh hues while its
features were becoming so lovely as to make it look like the face of a living
baby.
The "Santa Madonnina” (Madonnina is an affectionate diminutive meaning little Madonna) became famous in the city and crowds hastened to venerate the childhood of the Blessed Virgin Mother and obtain from her extraordinary graces. This same image of Maria Bambina is the one venerated today at the Motherhouse in Milan.
In subsequent times, it became a custom to give newly married couples a small wax image of Maria Bambina as a wedding gift. The devotion to Maria Bambina spread from the Milan area to the whole of Italy.
The "Santa Madonnina” (Madonnina is an affectionate diminutive meaning little Madonna) became famous in the city and crowds hastened to venerate the childhood of the Blessed Virgin Mother and obtain from her extraordinary graces. This same image of Maria Bambina is the one venerated today at the Motherhouse in Milan.
In subsequent times, it became a custom to give newly married couples a small wax image of Maria Bambina as a wedding gift. The devotion to Maria Bambina spread from the Milan area to the whole of Italy.
During World War II, during the days
of constant bombing, the shrine and Mother House fell into ruins. Despite
of the destruction of the shrine, the sisters and the people of Milan celebrated
the Feast of the Nativity of Mary on the ruins.
On September 4, 1945, Maria Bambina
was returned to Milan. Each year on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary,
the Sisters touch small pieces of cotton to the miraculous image. These pieces
of cotton are then distributed as sacramentals to those who have a devotion to
Maria Bambina.
The center of devotion to Mary as an
infant is currently based in the interior chapel of the Motherhouse of
the Sisters of Charity located in Milan, Italy, at Via Santa Sofia 13. The
Sisters of Charity are the guardians of the miraculous wax image of the Infant
Mary. One can visit during the hours of 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30
PM.
Holy Thoughts About Infant Mary
“The Blessed Virgin is the spoiled
child of the Blessed Trinity.
She knows no law. Everything yields to
her in heaven and on earth.
The whole of heaven gazes on her with
delight.
She plays before the ravished eyes of
God himself.”
-Raissa Maritain (Philosopher mystique)
“The kingdom of heaven is of children, and especially of
a little child: Mary.”
-Pope John Paul II
(speaking to the Superiors of the
Sisters of Charity of Milan)
February 6, 1984
Maria Bambina in the Philippines
Aside from Milan, you can see an image
of Maria Bambina in the Philippines.
Our Lady of the Abandoned (OLA), a Franciscan church in Sta. Ana, Manila,
has a resident Maria Bambina image.
During the weeklong celebration of Mary’s nativity, the holy infant
image is displayed near the altar, for people to venerate. Every September 8, a special mass is held at
6:30PM to honor Mary as infant and as Christ’s Mother. Before and after the mass, people are allowed
to approach and kiss the Maria Bambina.
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| Maria Bambina, Our Lady of the Abandoned Church, Sta. Ana, Manila |
Holy and innocent, Maria Bambina will
grant your wish as long as you make it with ardent faith in your heart.
We usually give present to the birthday celebrator, but the Infant Mary will give us presents on her birthday today. We only have to say, thank you! :)
:)
We usually give present to the birthday celebrator, but the Infant Mary will give us presents on her birthday today. We only have to say, thank you! :)
:)
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