1) History of El Santo Nino de Atocha (The Holy Child of Atocha)The devotion to El Santo Nino de Atocha originated in Spain...During medieval times, the Moors held large areas and battles between the Christians and Moors were common place. The Moors invaded the town of Atocha. Following a certain battle, the victorious Moors held a great many Christians captive and prevented the adult villagers from visiting, as well as bringing prisoners food or water. Fearing for the lives of the prisoners, their families stormed heaven with prayers for relief. One day, a child appeared, dressed as a pilgrim, carrying a basket of food and a gourd of water. The Moors allowed the child to bring food and water each day. The prisoners were fed, but the basket and gourd remained full. The child was not known to the Christians nor to the Moors, so the people concluded that the child Jesus, disguised as a pilgrim, had come to their rescue.
In art work, the Holy Child often wears a brimmed hat with a plume and a cloak or cape ornate with the St. James shell. (During the crusades, scallop shells were the symbol of holy pilgrimages.) In his left hand, He carries a pilgrim's staff with a gourd of water fastened to it, a pair of shackles, and a few spears of wheat. In his right hand, he holds a basket witch generally contains bread or flowers. He either wears sandals or is barefoot. The Child is said to roam the hills and valleys, particularly at night, bringing aid and comfort to the needy, and thereby wearing out his shoes. He is usually shown seated.He is the patron saint of those unjustly imprisoned. He also protects travelers and rescues people in danger.
2) Another Internet article about the Santo Nino de Atocha in New Mexico follows:
Maria Martinez, the famous potter from San Ildefonso Pueblo, was brought to the Santo Nino in Chimayo in 1890 by her mom when she was very ill. Her mom had made a promesa (vow) that if Maria recovered she would make a pilgrimage to the Holy Place of Chimayo. Little Maria rubbed herself all over with the sacred earth while her mom offered prayers to the Holy Child. (Maria lived a long life and died in 1980.)
Many villagers believed that the Santo Nino was found in the hole where the sacred earth is found. A story was told about a man, along with his young daughter, who was plowing his fields with oxen. She heard church bells ringing in the ground and begged her father to dig them out. He discovered three bells and a wooden statue of Santo Nino de Atocha. Many miraculous cures have been attributed to the Santo Nino. It is believed that Sant Nino travels throughout the country at night wearing out his shoes while performing miracles. Pilgrims frequently bring little pairs of baby shoes to place at the feet of Santo Nino as offerings to replace those He has worn out during his nightly travels. Local villagers sometimes call him Santo Nino Perdido (lost child) because he is absent from the church at night.
Many candles burn brightly as an offering from the pilgrims to remind us that God hears and answers prayers. The candles also remind us of the deep faith and devotion to God of all the thousands of pilgrims who come great distances with many hardships to keep their promesa (vow).
In working on my genealogy, I found out that my ancestors were devout followers of Santo Nino de Atocha. My great-grandmother gave her three daughters a large statue of Santo Nino. My grandmother was one of the sisters and the statues were passed on to their daughters. I do not know what happened to my grandmother's statue and someday I will investigate as to what happened to her statue. In the meantime, I have a small statue that my cousin sent me of Santo Nino de Atocha.
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