Santo Bambino di Ara Coeli
According to legend, the Emperor Augustus, being uncomfortable with rumors that the Senate was about to elevate his status into that of a deity, consulted the Tributine Sibyl, who had a prophetic revelation regarding the descent from the skies of the “King of all ages”. During her prophecy, the Emperor was granted a vision of the Virgin standing on an altar in dazzling light and holding the Child Jesus in her arms. The Emperor heard a voice: “This is the altar of the Son of God”. The Emperor had an altar built on the site of the apparition, the Ara Coeli (altar of the heavens). This is the site where the current Santa Maria di Aracoeli Church in Rome is built.
Inside the Santa Maria Aracoeli Church, one of the central columns bears an inscription that mentions it was derived from the Emperor Augustus’ bed chamber (“ a cubiculo Augustorum”). The thirteenth century altar, believed to contain fragments from the original altar placed there by the Emperor Augustus, documents the story on its stone slabs.
It is known that by the year 574, the site was also the location of a monastery for the Byzantine monks. From the ninth to the thirteenth century, the monastery and church belonged to the Benedictines. In the year 1249, the pope ceded the complex to the Franciscans. Santa Mara di Aracoeli Church is still regarded as the Church of the Seante and the Roman City Government. Directly to one side of the Church is the Capitol of Roma (the Campidoglio). Two staircases lead to the Church: one very steep staircase with over one hundred steps, and another less severe, leading to the Campodiglio.
The Church is filled, as most Roman churches are, with many works of priceless art, collected throughout the centuries. However, the real treasure of the Church, which draws countless of visitors each year, is the statue of the Santo Bambino, the Holy Child Jesus. The statue had been carved from an olive tree in tree Garden of Gethsemane by a Franciscan monk, while he was working in the Holy Land, in the fifteenth century. The face of the Santo Bambino was miraculously painted by an angel while the Franciscan monk slept. The holy image was transferred to Rome upon the orders of the Franciscans headquartered in Santa Maria di Aracoeli. During the journey to Europe, the ship carrying the Franciscan monk and the holy image, was caught in a storm. The storm caused the image to be thrown overboard. The statue of the Santo Bambino eventually was washed ashore at Livorno, where the Franciscan monk had been anxiously awaiting it.
Many miracles attributed to the Santo Bambino have been worked and recorded in Rome throughout the ages. At times, the Santo Bambino is transported to visit the very sick and dying, and inexplicable cures have been attributed to him.
The devotees of the Santo Bambino have donated many precious jewels, which are placed on his outfit-from his crown to his slippers. During times of hardships (floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters in Italy), the Santo Bambino’s jewels may be sold to fund relief efforts.
The Santo Bambino receives letters from all over the world; these are piled up on either side of the altar, unopened, and are burned after a certain time has passed.
During the Christmas Eve Mass, all 124 steps leading up the Santa Maria di Araceoli Church are lit up by candles. Many Romans flock to pay tribute to the Santo Bambino and celebrate the Mass. At midnight, the Santo Bambino is taken from his private chapel to a throne before the high altar. Upon the intonation of the Gloria, he is then carried to a Nativity Crib where he remains for public veneration until the Feast of the Epiphany. During the Feast of the Epiphany, the Santo Bambino is taken in procession to the top of the Santa Maria di Aracoeli Church for a benediction of the city of Rome and its people. After this, he is returned to his private chapel.
For more information on the Santa Maria Aracoeli Church, or to write to the Santo Bambino, please contact:
Santa Maria di Aracoeli Church
Scala dell’Arce Capitolina, 12
00186 Roma, Italia
CCP655001
Inside the Santa Maria Aracoeli Church, one of the central columns bears an inscription that mentions it was derived from the Emperor Augustus’ bed chamber (“ a cubiculo Augustorum”). The thirteenth century altar, believed to contain fragments from the original altar placed there by the Emperor Augustus, documents the story on its stone slabs.
It is known that by the year 574, the site was also the location of a monastery for the Byzantine monks. From the ninth to the thirteenth century, the monastery and church belonged to the Benedictines. In the year 1249, the pope ceded the complex to the Franciscans. Santa Mara di Aracoeli Church is still regarded as the Church of the Seante and the Roman City Government. Directly to one side of the Church is the Capitol of Roma (the Campidoglio). Two staircases lead to the Church: one very steep staircase with over one hundred steps, and another less severe, leading to the Campodiglio.
The Church is filled, as most Roman churches are, with many works of priceless art, collected throughout the centuries. However, the real treasure of the Church, which draws countless of visitors each year, is the statue of the Santo Bambino, the Holy Child Jesus. The statue had been carved from an olive tree in tree Garden of Gethsemane by a Franciscan monk, while he was working in the Holy Land, in the fifteenth century. The face of the Santo Bambino was miraculously painted by an angel while the Franciscan monk slept. The holy image was transferred to Rome upon the orders of the Franciscans headquartered in Santa Maria di Aracoeli. During the journey to Europe, the ship carrying the Franciscan monk and the holy image, was caught in a storm. The storm caused the image to be thrown overboard. The statue of the Santo Bambino eventually was washed ashore at Livorno, where the Franciscan monk had been anxiously awaiting it.
Many miracles attributed to the Santo Bambino have been worked and recorded in Rome throughout the ages. At times, the Santo Bambino is transported to visit the very sick and dying, and inexplicable cures have been attributed to him.
The devotees of the Santo Bambino have donated many precious jewels, which are placed on his outfit-from his crown to his slippers. During times of hardships (floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters in Italy), the Santo Bambino’s jewels may be sold to fund relief efforts.
The Santo Bambino receives letters from all over the world; these are piled up on either side of the altar, unopened, and are burned after a certain time has passed.
During the Christmas Eve Mass, all 124 steps leading up the Santa Maria di Araceoli Church are lit up by candles. Many Romans flock to pay tribute to the Santo Bambino and celebrate the Mass. At midnight, the Santo Bambino is taken from his private chapel to a throne before the high altar. Upon the intonation of the Gloria, he is then carried to a Nativity Crib where he remains for public veneration until the Feast of the Epiphany. During the Feast of the Epiphany, the Santo Bambino is taken in procession to the top of the Santa Maria di Aracoeli Church for a benediction of the city of Rome and its people. After this, he is returned to his private chapel.
For more information on the Santa Maria Aracoeli Church, or to write to the Santo Bambino, please contact:
Santa Maria di Aracoeli Church
Scala dell’Arce Capitolina, 12
00186 Roma, Italia
CCP655001
