Santo Niño de Atocha

The Holy Child of Atocha (Santo Niño de Atocha ) is a Roman Catholic definition of the Child Jesus and heard in Spain, Mexico ( pilgrimage Plateros ) and New Mexico ( Chimayo pilgrimage ) to popular piety. In the 13th century, Maria wonders from Atocha mentioned in the Cantigas de Santa. Atocha is now a municipality of Madrid.

The Holy Child of Atocha is venerated in the Sanctuary in Plateros than about 50 cm high statue of 3 million visitors annually.

It is syncretized in Cuban Santeria with ellegua.

Legend

The Iberian Peninsula was occupied by the Moors (Al -Andalus ). In Atocha, the Moors refused their Christian prisoners food. Finally, only children under twelve were allowed to help their relatives.

Therefore women went to the Nuestra Senora de Atocha and asked for her intercession. It was reported then that a child in the garb of a pilgrim at night went to the prisons, food and drink brought, spoke to the prisoners and prayed and encouraged them. When the women of the Virgin Mary thanked for their intercession, they noticed that the shoes of the Infant Jesus, who was born of the Virgin Mary, were dusty and torn. The shoes were replaced, but they were dirty again. The people of Atocha saw this as a sign from God that it was the baby Jesus every night helped the prisoners.