Maria Bambina
updated 7/31/03
Maria Bambina - Milan, Italy - October 26,2002
“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
“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)
Rome, Italy
February 6, 1984
"This mystery [of the Holy Childhood of Mary] seems to be very little known. I think you have a great task........ to deepen the appreciation of the mystery of Mary’s childhood."
Pope John Paul II,
[speaking to the Sisters of Charity of Milan)
Sisters of Charity Motherhouse
Milan, Italy
November 4, 1984
Litany in Honor of Maria Bambina
Other Prayers to the Child Mary and to Sts. Joachim & Ann
Family Prayer to Maria Bambina
Interpretations of the Holy Name of Mary
Maria Bambina in Massachusetts, USA
A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF THE HOLY CHILD MARY
†
Maria Bambina †will be held on Sunday, September 7th at St. Thomas Church, Huntington, Massachusetts. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament following the 11:00 AM Mass. The Holy Rosary at 12:00 noon; 12:45 pm; 1:30 pm. The Litany in Honor of the Holy Infancy of the Blessed Virgin will begin at 1:50 PM. From 2:00 – 3:00 PM The Most Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, the Novena to Maria Bambina will be prayed. Our guest speaker will be Fr. Charles Jan DiMascola, pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, Turners Falls, Massachusetts. The program will conclude with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The festivities will continue at the rectory with light refreshments, including birthday cake, ice cream and the singing of Happy Birthday in honor of Maria Bambina.
The Italian words "Maria Bambina" mean "Baby Mary." Although the Holy Childhood of the Blessed Virgin, under the image of Our Lady as an infant, is honored in Mexico , Poland and Italy, relatively few Catholics in the United States know of this devotion. Several saints, including St. John Eudes, St. Joseph Cupertino and St. Padre Pio loved to contemplate the Blessed Mother as a baby. Reflecting on Our Blessed Mother as an infant and child will enrich your love and devotion to her as it did for these saints. As the perfect disciple of Jesus Christ, Our blessed Mother imitated Our Lord in all of His virtues. She imitated, in advance, the virtues of Our Lord's Holy Childhood.
Reflecting upon a likeness of the Child Mary is one of the many rich fruits of Franciscan spirituality. St. Francis is credited with preparing the first Christmas Crèche and with popularizing the Stations of the Cross. This great saint understood that holy images could be used as teaching tools that could stimulate the soul to a greater love of God. This is the beloved image of Maria Bambina venerated at the Convent of the Sisters of Charity in Milan, Italy. Simply gazing upon this charming image of Our Blessed Mother as a baby moves the heart to a great tenderness for our Heavenly Mother. Great numbers of the faithful come to the Convent of Maria Bambina in Milan to bring their petitions to the Child Mary. Particularly, couples, who are having difficulty conceiving often come there to pray for the gift of a baby. Many later return to the convent with their newborns to thank Maria Bambina for having answered their prayers.
The earliest document commemorating the feast of The Nativity of the Mother of God comes from the sixth century. St. Romanus, the great ecclesiastical lyricist of the Greek Church, composed a hymn for the feast ("Hymnogr. Graeca") which is a poetical sketch of the apocryphal Gospel of St. James.
The devotion to Maria Bambina in the city of Milan can be traced back to 1007, the year in which the church of Santa Maria Fulcorina was dedicated to the "Mystery of the Nativity of Mary." Eventually the church became the Cathedral Church of Milan, Saint Mary Major. In 1251 Pope Innocent IV granted in perpetuity a plenary indulgence for those who visit the Cathedral on the feast day of Mary's Nativity (September 8th). From this time on, Mary's birthday was celebrated with great solemnity. A new and more beautiful church was built whose high altar, Pope Martin V consecrated in 1418. The present Duomo (Italian for cathedral) was consecrated more than 100 years later in 1572 by St. Charles Borromeo who dedicated it officially in honor of the Birth of Mary. Over the main entrance of the cathedral are the words in bronze letters: "Mariae Nascenti," meaning, " birth of Mary." (The tomb of St. Charles Borromeo is in the crypt of the Duomo.)
"Sanctuary of the Most Holy Child Mary"
reads the plaque aside the door of the
Convent of the Sisters of Charity,
Via Santa Sofia 13, Milan, Italy where the miraculous image
of Maria Bambina is venerated.
The simulacrum (image) was modeled in wax in 1735 by Sister Isabella Chiara Fornari (1697-1744), superior of the Poor Clare Sisters in Todi, Italy. Life size waxen images of both the Infant Jesus and the Infant Mary were widely venerated during the counter-reformation (16th century).
Bishop Alberico Simonetta brought the waxen image of Maria Bambina to Milan on his return to his native town in 1738. A year or so after his death the Capuchin sisters of the Monastery of St. Maria degli Angeli obtained from his brother the original Maria Bambina. These sisters were entrusted with the image because they were dedicated to the education of the youth and to the teaching of Catholic doctrine. The Capuchin Sisters soon became fervent devotees of the mystery of the Nativity of Mary.
During the suppression of religious congregations under Emperor Joseph II and Napoleon in 1810, the image was in the custody of Sister Barbara Viazzoli, the last Capuchin Sister who had the image in her keeping. She took it with her to the ex-monastery of the Canonichesse Lateranensi in Via dell’ Annunciato where some sisters lived together in private.
Upon her death it was given to the pastor of the St. Marco Church, Fr. Luigi Bosisio who in turn entrusted it to Mother Superior Teresa Bosio of the Sisters of Charity at the Ciceri Hospital in 1842. On April 24,1876 the waxen image was brought to its current location at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity.
During this time, devotion to Maria Bambina was mostly limited to the sisters and novices within the religious community. The image was usually exposed in the novitiate and moved to the chapel only on 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. The face became discolored and unattractive, so much so that "it was more likely to extinguish devotion than to awaken it." It was then removed from the Novitiate and was placed in a "large chest of drawers". Each year, it was taken from the chest of drawers and brought to the chapel and displayed only on the Nativity of Mary and during the Octave.
Beginning on September 9, 1884 Maria Bambina rewarded those who had devotion to her. Sister Josephine Woinovich was bedridden and in unbearable pain 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 simulacrum 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 carried in a solemn manner 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.
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. From the preface of a booklet published, one comes to know that the "Santa Madonnina [Madonnina - an affectionate diminutive meaning little Madonna] was famous in the city" and that "whole crowds hastened to the simulacrum 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.
On September 8, 1888 Mother General Clementina Lachmann carried Maria Bambina to the new chapel. Mother General Nazari died in January 1888 without seeing the completion of the chapel she had in mind. Though it was to be a real shrine, the Archbishop of Milan was concerned that pilgrims visiting the chapel was not suited to the Sisters’ retired style of life. However, Maria Bambina had "jealously desired to be inside the Mother House." The chapel was then open to the public every day from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for the people who came from afar to venerate the image .
On May 31, 1904 the image was solemnly crowned by Cardinal Ferrari and on September 9, 1909 Mother Superior Ghezzi obtained from St. Pope Pius X, that a plenary indulgence be gained on September 8 in all the Chapels of the Sisters of Charity.
In subsequent years an arch confraternity of Maria Bambina and the "League of the Innocent" were founded. It became the 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, On October 24, 1942, the Mother House was hit by incendiary bombs. In February, 1942 Mother General Reali had the image carried to a safe place on Via Maggianico. During the days of August 15th and 16th, 1943 with the constant bombing, the shrine and Mother House fell into ruins. However, the destruction of the shrine did not deter the sisters and the people of Milan from celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of Mary on the ruins.
On September 4, 1945, Maria Bambina was returned to Milan. After a three day celebration in Her honor, at a nearby chapel of the Visitation, she was provisionally installed in a chapel in the home for the sick at Via Mercalli, which functioned as a temporary Mother House while the current Mother House was under construction. On November 18, 1953 she was taken to the new shrine and on November 21, 1953 the new shrine was consecrated by Cardinal Schuster.
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 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace................
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace................
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace................
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace................
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace................
Prayer
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 favors 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.
I M P R I M A T U R
In Curia Archiep. Mediolani
31 August 1931
Can. CAVEZZALI, Pro Vic. Gen
Litany in Honor of the Holy Infancy of the Blessed Virgin
and other prayers from St. John Eudes
Lord, have mercy on us,.....................................................................................Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us,..................................................................................Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us,.....................................................................................Lord, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, hear us,..........................................................................................Have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, graciously hear us,.......................................................................Have mercy on us.
God the Father of heaven,.................................................................................Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,.............................................................Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,............................................................................................Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,..........................................................................................Have mercy on us.
Holy Infant Mary,.......................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant Daughter of the Father,.................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, Mother of the Son,........................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, Spouse of the Holy Ghost,...........................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity,.......................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, fruit of the prayers of thy parents,................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, riches of thy father,.......................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, delight of thy mother,....................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, honor of thy father,........................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, honor of thy mother,......................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, miracle of nature,..........................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, prodigy of grace,..........................................................................................Pray for us.
Immaculate in thy Conception,...............................................................................Pray for us.
Most holy in thy Nativity,..........................................................................................Pray for us.
Most devout in thy Presentation,............................................................................Pray for us.
Masterpiece of God's grace,.................................................................................Pray for us.
Aurora of the Sun of Justice,..................................................................................Pray for us.
Beginning of our joy,............................................................................................... Pray for us.
End of our evils,.......................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, joy of earth,....................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, joy of heaven,................................................................................................Pray for us.
Pattern of our charity,..............................................................................................Pray for us.
Model of our humility,..............................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most powerful,..............................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most mild,......................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most pure,.....................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most obedient,..............................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most poor,.....................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most meek,...................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most amiable,...............................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, most admirable,...........................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, incomparable,..............................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, health of the sick,.........................................................................................Pray for us.
Comfortess of the afflicted,....................................................................................Pray for us.
Refuge of Sinners,..................................................................................................Pray for us.
Hope of Christians,.................................................................................................Pray for us.
Lady of the Angels,.................................................................................................Pray for us.
Daughter of the Patriarchs,....................................................................................Pray for us.
Desire of the Prophets,..........................................................................................Pray for us.
Mistress of the Apostles,........................................................................................Pray for us.
Strength of Martyrs,.................................................................................................Pray for us.
Glory of the Priesthood,..........................................................................................Pray for us.
Joy of Confessors,..................................................................................................Pray for us.
Purity of Virgins,......................................................................................................Pray for us.
Queen of all Saints,.................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, our Mother,....................................................................................................Pray for us.
Infant, Queen of our hearts,.....................................................................................Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,......................Spare us, Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,......................Graciously hear us, Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,......................Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus.
Infant Jesus,...........................................................................................Hear us.
Infant Jesus,...........................................................................................Graciously hear us.
LET US PRAY
O almighty and merciful God, Who through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the Immaculate Infant Mary that she might be the worthy Mother of Thy Son, and didst preserve her from all stain, grant that we who venerate with all our hearts her most holy childhood, may be freed, through her merits and intercession, from all uncleanness of mind and body, and be able to imitate her perfect humility, obedience and charity. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Other Prayers to the Child Mary and to Sts. Joachim & Ann
SALUTATION
Hail, Infant Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou forever, and blessed are thy holy parents Joachim and Ann, of whom thou wast miraculously born. Mother of God, intercede for us.
ANTHEM
We fly to thy patronage, holy and amiable Child Mary, despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, glorious and blessed Virgin.
V. Pray for us, holy Child Mary.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray: O almighty and merciful God, Who through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the Immaculate Infant Mary that she might be the worthy Mother of Thy Son, and didst preserve her from all stain, grant that we who venerate with all our hearts her most holy childhood, may be freed, through her merits and intercession, from all uncleanness of mind and body, and be able to imitate her perfect humility, obedience and charity. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Sweet Child Mary, destined to be the Mother of God and our sovereign and loving Mother, by the prodigies of grace you lavish upon us, mercifully listen to my humble 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, be merciful to me this day. Show that the source of spiritual favors 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 Heart.
Family Prayer to Maria Bambina
Maria, given us by God, in the sweetness of the face of a child, look upon this family that is your very own and in your motherliness, grant perennial youth to our hearts.
May there arise in us a renewed commitment in our vocation to follow Jesus and may our charity be more joyful from this day.
Teach us that love can stand with steadfastness at the foot of the cross.
Lord Jesus, I lovingly pray for this sweet hope that I keep within my womb. You have granted me the immense gift of a tiny little life, living in my own life, and I humbly thank you for choosing me as an instrument of your love. In this sweet waiting, help me to live in a constant attitude of self-surrender to your will.
Grant me a motherly heart that is pure, steadfast and generous. I hand over to you my own concerns; any anxious fears that may come, my own wishes for the little person that I still have no knowledge of. Grant that it may be born healthy in body, keep far from it every peril to its soul.
Mary, you have known the ineffable joy of a holy motherhood; give me a heart that can transmit an ardent, living faith. Sanctify my waiting, bless this joyful hope that is in me, grant that the fruit of my womb may open out in virtue and in holiness through your working with that of your divine Son. Amen
Click here to listen to "Holy Mary, Child Most Precious" by Heartsong.
Holy Mary, Child Most Precious
Tune: SING OF MARY (Pleading Savior, 1830)
Holy Mary, Child most precious, joy of the Holy Trinity.
Purest daughter soon to bless us; Holy Spirit’s bride to be!
Heavenly child and purest temple, from your cradle send your grace.
Make us pure and sweet and simple, as the love shining from your face.
Holy Mary, Child sublime, garden of virtue, full of grace.
Gate of Heaven make us thine, as we reach out for your embrace!
Heavenly child and fairest dove, beautiful lily, oh so sweet.
Fill us with your trusting love, as we lay flowers at your feet.
Holy Mary, Child of life, mirror of love and hope and peace.
In the sorrow of our strife, teach us the way; our faith increase!
Heavenly child and mystical rosebud, Mother of Mercy, soon to weep.
To thee we bring this song of love to console you as you sleep.
Tune: SING OF MARY (Pleading Savior, 1830)
For September 8, 2002 birthday celebration for Maria Bambina.
The lyrics to the song, "Precious Child," are copyrighted.
Our intention is to prevent anyone from profiting from the song
or from changing the lyrics.
However, you are given permission to copy
and use the lyrics for personal or for parish use
so that you can make Our Blessed Mother more known and loved.
If you use the lyrics for use in your parish, please let us know.
Maria Bambina
P.O. Box 398
Huntington Massachusetts, USA 01050
http://www.stthomasparishhuntington.org/
a poem in honor of the Child Mary
Hail Maria Bambina, The Father’s precious little one,
God’s heavenly grace beams from your face as the moon reflects the sun,
Angels ‘round your cradle sing lullabies while you sleep,
Help me to call Him “Abba,” His commandments to keep.
Hail Maria Bambina, The Holy Spirit’s humble bride,
Your “fiat,” one day to give the Angel kneeling at your side,
As I along the path of life, like a lost sheep roam,
Place your tiny hand in mine and gently lead me home.
Hail Maria Bambina, the Virgin Mother of the Son,
Now in your cradle softly sleeping, Your earthly life begun,
One day faithfully beneath His cross to stand in sorrow deep,
Help me to embrace my cross and to my station keep.
O Most Holy Triune God, I love to ponder thee,
As I sing to Baby Mary, your blessed little one,
At once Your daughter, most pure spouse
And Mother of Your Son.
Words by Frederick Speckels
Interpretations of the Name of Mary
From The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God by St. John Eudes,
Chapters 18 & 19; available from Preserving Christian Publications, Inc. Albany, New York
St. Ambrose
St. Jerome, St. Athanasius, St. Anselm
St. Ephrem
St. Epthem and others
Abbot of St. Evron
Angelus Caninius
Rev. Pere Adrian Lyere, S.J.
Rutilius Benzonius, Bishop of Loretto
Canisius, S.J.
St. Peter Chrysologus
St. John Damascene, St. Albert the Great: a bitter sea to show that she was plunged into a sea of gall and bitterness at the time of her Son’s Passion and secondly, that being full of mercy towards men, she is filled with rigor and bitterness towards the demons.
St. Jerome, St. Epiphanius: myrrh of the sea, from the precious stone that is said to be found in the sea that has an odor like myrrh. It is said that it is made into saucers and drinking cups and sells at a higher price than gold. Our admirable Mary is the most precious cup of the great King, in which is presented to Him a nectar very delicious, being composed of the wine of her love and charity, and the honey of the sweetness of her humility.
Rev. Fathers Canisius and Salazar S.J.: the archer of the sea. This is an appropriate title for the Mother of God, for she is a generous warrior, and general of the armies of the Most High God, who combats incessantly upon the sea of this world, being armed with darts and arrows which she discharges continually against, sin, against, heresy, against the demons, and all God; enemies.
St. Epiphanius: the hope of those who voyage on the story sea of this world.
St. Jerome, St. Bernard: star of the sea, for God has given us this star to enlighten us amid the dark mists of the sea of this world and to conduct us, through the innumerable perils we shall encounter there to the desirable port of eternal salvation.
Rev. Pere Adrian Lyere, S.J, water conduit. Jesus is the first fountain of grace; the Blessed Virgin is there as the channel through which graces are given to the faithful.
Theodore the New Confessor: I salute thee Mary (according to the Greek word closely resembling thy Name) contains within thyself innumerable wonders and prodigies. For though one should say of thee and never cease to repeat all imaginable praises, one would never be able to praise thee worthily.
The Cathedral of Milan (The Duomo) dedicated in honor of the Child Mary
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: All major airline carriers fly into Malpensa Airport, Milan Italy. Malpensa is a beautiful airport.
CURRENCY: Italy now uses the Euro dollar which is very practical for American travelers seeing that the American Dollar and the Euro Dollar are nearly identical in value. Exchanging money at the airport is easy and the service charge is minimal.
MALPENSA EXPRESS: Seriously consider taking the train into Milan as you will need nerves of steel and be a very skillful driver to tackle Milan’s frantic city streets. The Malpensa Express shuttle train arrives and departs every 45 minutes. From the airport, purchase a train ticket and board the Malpensa Express ($9) to the city of Milan. The tickets are available from an agent at the booth or from vending machines which accept major credit cards. Once you buy your ticket be sure to validate it at one of the machines on the train platform. The European custom is for the traveler to punch the ticket before boarding. Conductors will often come around and inspect the ticket to see that it has been validated. The train is new and clean and the pleasant ride to the city is approximately 45 minutes.
TAXI: Once at the train station in Milan, taxis are readily available to take you to your hotel.
METRO SYSTEM OR TROLLEYS: Even without speaking Italian, getting around Milan is not difficult on the trolley’s or by the Metro System (subway), You can purchase a one, two or three day pass that allows unlimited use of both subways and trolleys during the designated period. The passes are reasonably priced The Convent of Maria Bambina is located within walking distance of the Crocetta Station of the Yellow Line (Line 3). The Crevis Hotel and the Convent are about equally distant from the Street entrance to the Crocetta Metro Station. The famous Duomo of Milan, dedicated in honor of the Child Mary, is only several minutes away on the Yellow Line.
HOTELS: The cost of a hotel room in Milan is very expensive ($250 - $500 a night). However, one can find reasonably priced hotels. Our recommendation is the Golden Tulip Crevis Hotel at Corso Di Porta Vigentina, 46. The cost is approximately $150 a night (off season) and includes a full breakfast buffet. The hotel staff is gracious and English is spoken. Do not be discouraged by the exterior of this hotel. Once you enter you find a lovely public area, beautifully appointed, with comfortable and clean rooms. This hotel is a pleasant 15 minute walk (the length of time it takes to pray the rosary) from the Convent of Maria Bambina. We did notice another hotel (Hotel Canada) directly across the street from the Mother House but based on a visit to the lobby, we would still recommend The Crevis Hotel which has a warm and inviting atmosphere once you pass through the entrance.
FOOD: Eating in Milan can be very difficult when one cannot read or understand Italian, but we did find a wonderful restaurant, located in an alley to the left of the Duomo (as you face the Cathedral) called Ristorante "Al Mercante," Piazza Mercanti, 17. There are two levels in this restaurant which had a pleasant ambience and offered delicious food.
3" x 5"
$1.00 each
50 for $10.00
price includes postage
Checks payable to Maria Bambina
Mail your request and payment to:
Maria Bambina
P.O. Box 398
Huntington, MA 01050 USA
Maria Bambina in Massachusetts, USA
The Catholic Encyclopedia, The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
II Simulacro e il Sanruario de Maria Bambina (The image and the Sanctuary of Maria little Girl, Milan 1959)
Moments of a Story, Milan 1953.
The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God by St. John Eudes.
University of Dayton
Sister Maximille Saydori, Sisters of Charity, Via Santa Sofia 13. (October 25-28, 2002)