Skip to content

Where is the cradle of the Baby Jesus preserved?

Many might think that the holy cradle of the Child Jesus is in Bethlehem, but it is in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

In this basilica is kept a relic that has been the object of devotion for several centuries. It is the remains of the cunabulum, the “sacred cradle” or manger in which, according to the Gospels, the Child Jesus was placed at birth.

In 432 Pope Sixtus III decided to build inside the primitive Basilica of St. Mary Major a “grotto of the Nativity” similar to the one in Bethlehem. The church then took the name of Santa Maria adpraesepem, which in Latin means “manger”.

All this was the object of a popular devotion that motivated many of the faithful, returning from pilgrimages to the Holy Land, to bring as gifts what were considered the wooden fragments of the famous manger of the Child Jesus, and which are currently preserved in a reliquary with the name of the sacred cradle (cunabulum).

In Santa Maria Maggiore is also preserved another relic related to the crib: the panniculum, which is a small piece of cloth the size of a hand and which is kept in a case donated by Pius IX. According to tradition, it is a strip of the cloth with which Mary wrapped the baby Jesus.

Translated and adopted by Mercedes De La Torre on December 24, 2020. Originally published in ACI Stampa.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

St. Cyril of Jerusalem: a beacon of courage in the face of misunderstanding and opposition

On March 18, the Catholic Church honors St. Cyril of Jerusalem, a fourth-century bishop and doctor of the Church whose writings are still regarded as masterful expressions of the Christian faith.

Pilgrims from Liberia overcome travel troubles to attend WYD: ‘Being here is a miracle’

They made it “by the grace of God,” 36-year-old Father Ernest Wisner said about the presence of his

LIVE from the Vatican | Pope Francis celebrates the Lord’s Passion 2023

LIVE on Friday of Holy Week | Celebration of the Lord’s Passion together with Pope Francis from St.

Saint Dismas: The Leap of Faith of the Good Thief and His Encounter with Christ

Saintly Example: The good thief dies at the side of Jesus. In Catholic tradition he is known as Saint Dismas. The church considers him a saint. Jesus himself promised him paradise immediately.

Asia-Pacific Cardinals Entering the Conclave: Who are they?

While Catholics make up just 3% of Asia’s vast population of 4.5 billion, they account for about 11% of the world’s Catholic population. Who are the Cardinals from Asia-Pacific to enter the Conclave?

Pope Francis appoints EWTN’s Colin Donovan to Marian pontifical academy

Pope Francis appointed Colin Donovan, vice president of theology at EWTN Global Catholic Network, to the Pontifical International

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit