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Philippines |
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A pilgrimage to Mexico
to find Sto. Niqo
de Atocha |
|
Source: Inquirer |
Author: Josephine Darang |
Date: 1999-12-08 |
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SINCE fashion designer Nolie Hans started a devotion to the
Sto. Niqo de Atocha in 1989, he had always wanted to go on a
pilgrimage to Zacatecas, Mexico where one could find the
Sanctuary of the Holy Child of Atocha, specifically in a small
place called Plateros in the town of Fresnillo.
It was also in 1989 that Nolie's mother Teodora Hans contracted
cancer and almost at the same time an antique dealer offered
Nolie a 2-ft image of the Sto. Niqo de Atocha sitting down.
Nolie prayed to the Sto. Niqo to prolong the life of his mother
and promised to propagate the devotion to the Sto. Niqo de
Atocha in the Philippines. And so it was that Tita Doray went
on to live seven more years defying the doctors' findings that
she would only have six months more to live.
Journey to Mexico
The chance to fly to Mexico came when Ben Farrales decided to
go on the third week of November asking Nolie and Jay Carino
to make the trip with him. Mang Ben went ahead to Los Angeles
where he would meet the two friends.
Nolie and Jay arrived at the L.A. airport where Noel Hermogeno
met them. He drove them around the city first before checking
them into the flight bound for Mexico.
After one night in Guadalupe where the three pilgrims visited
the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and stayed for the night
in a hotel, they took the flight to Zacatecas the following
morning. A car was hired to take them to Fresnillo where they
could find Plateros.
A 200-year-old baroque church
The Sanctuary of the Holy Child of Atocha is more than 200
years old and was designed in a baroque style.
One hall of the church called The Miracle Hall is the repository
of letters written to the Holy Child, asking for a favor or
thanking Him for favors granted.
The walls are pasted with letters, even tiny clothes of children,
tiny shoes and other memorabilia indicating miracles that
happened before.
The main altar contains a life-sized image of Our Lady of Atocha
on the left holding the Child Jesus: a tiny chair containing the
Holy Child in the middle and an image of St. Expeditus on the
right. It is said that the Josephine Fathers used to run the
Sanctuary.
Walking on their knees
According to Nolie, some pilgrims walk on their knees when
they approach the steps leading to the church and still kneeling
as they go inside. The devotion is spread throughout Mexico
and even in Madrid, Spain.
Legend of the devotion
This legend was gathered from the devotion that sprang in
Madrid. During the time when the Moors were persecuting the
Christians, men would be arrested and thrown in jail.
One night, the Child Jesus, dressed like a pilgrim and enthroned
in Our Lady of Atocha Church in Madrid, slipped down from the
lap of His Mother and left the church.
He went to the prison bringing with Him bread and water and
fed the hungry men there. The image is portrayed with a
pilgrim's hat on his head, holding fruit or food in his right hand
and a wooden jug of water that is hanging on a cane in His left
hand. The Child Jesus here looks much older.
Holy Child in Mexico
The Holy Child of Atocha worshipped in Plateros, Fresnillo,
Mexico is portrayed differently with the things He is holding in
His hands interchanged. And He looks very much younger.
However, the devotion to Him is strong, especially when people
are begging Him for good health. Miracles recorded in the
Sanctuary tells of miraculous healings of sick people.
Novenas available
Those who want to have free novenas to Sto. Niqo de Atocha
can write me, but please enclose a self-addressed stamped
envelope for easier mailing.
Nolie Hans had novenas printed. His image of the Sto. Niqo de
Atocha will be exhibited on the ''Fiesta del Sto. Niqo 2000'' from
Jan. 20-29 at the PNB on Roxas Boulevard.
Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
THE FEAST of Our Lady of Guadalupe falls on Dec. 12 in all
churches all over the world. But since Dec. 12 falls on a Sunday
in Advent, Oor Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Guadalupe Nuevo
is holding the fiesta on Dec. 11 with a High Mass at 12 nn with
Bishop Tom Yalung as main celebrant.
Parish priest Msgr. Daniel Sta. Maria is asking for clothes,
medicines and food for the poor to be brought on fiesta day as a
special offering to Our Lady.
Happy feast day, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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