Bambino Gesu of Arenzano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bambino Gesu of Arenzano Child Jesus of Arenzano il Grande Piccinino
The Santo Bambino Gesu of Arenzano "il Piccinino" enshrined within the titular Basilica
Location	Arenzano, Genoa
Date	1902
Witness	Marquise of Savona, Delfina Gavotti Prior John of the Cross
Type	Wooden image
Approval	Pope Pius XI
Shrine	Basilica of Bambino Gesu of Arenzano

The Bambino Gesu of Arenzano is a special statue of the Child Jesus. People in Genoa, Italy, love and pray to this statue. It is also known as Il Grande Piccinino, which means "the Great Little Child." This statue is an important part of the Catholic faith in the area.

The statue looks like a famous painting called the Infant Jesus of Prague. A group of religious people called the Carmelite Order brought the idea of this devotion to Italy. They wanted more people to pray to the Child Jesus.

A rich lady named Delfina Gavotti, the Marquise of Savona, paid for the statue to be made in 1902. She was very devoted to the Child Jesus. Many people believe miracles have happened because of this statue. Today, the statue is kept in a special church called a basilica. Every year on September 1st, a big celebration is held for the statue.

History of the Statue

The Minor Basilica of Bambino Gesu di Arenzano.

The statue was a gift from the Marquise Delfina Gavotti of Savona. It was placed in the church on June 2, 1902. Before this, there was a picture of the Infant Jesus of Prague there. The Carmelite Order had brought this picture on September 25, 1900. It was placed under a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Marquise Delfina Gavotti was married to Marquis Girolamo. She had a very deep and special devotion to the Child Jesus. She was also a big supporter of other churches. For example, she gave a lot of money to the Marian shrine of Santuario della Consolata. Her generosity was even written about in their church papers in 1901.

In 1924, Pope Pius XI gave a special honor to the statue. He said it could have a Canonical coronation. This means a crown was officially placed on the statue. This important event happened on September 6, 1924. Many important church leaders and even Queen Margherita of Savoy were there.

Four years later, in 1928, Pope Pius XI gave the church another special title. He made it a Minor Basilica. This means it's a very important church. The statue of the Bambino Gesu of Arenzano is still kept there today.

See also

• Infant Jesus of Mechelen
• Santo Nino de Cebu
• List of canonically crowned images