MARIA BAMBINA (Happy Birthday MAMA!) September 8th ****

The Miraculous Image of Maria Bambina (Holy Child Mary) was made before 1730 by a Franciscan nun who afterwards entrusted Her to others during the ensuing years so that eventually She came into the care of the Sisters of Charity at Lovere, Italy.

In 1866 these Sisters of Charity were requested 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 S. Sofia 13, where She has remained ever since. All this time this statue was exposed for veneration only on the 8th of September, the Feast of Mary's Nativity, but in 1884 Maria Bambina wanted to reward those who had devotion to her.

Due to paralysis in her arms and feet, Sr. Josephine Woinovich was bedridden and in unbearable pain. On the 8th of September she begged 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. Here there was 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 now these Sisters are commonly known as the Sisters of Maria Bambina.

IMPRIMATUR:
In Curia Arch. Mediolani die 14 - 1 1967