Build a New and Bigger Church for the Pilgrim Shrine of the Divine Child Jesus in Nicaragua
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

In Nicaragua there is a shrine to the Divino Niño Jesus. This is in the Diocese of Matagalpa, and has become a very popular place of pilgrimage that is visited all year round by thousands of pilgrims.

In many countries of Latin America, there is a great devotion to the Divino Niño Jesus, or the "Divine Child Jesus." Many great saints had a deep devotion to the Childhood of Jesus: Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Anthony of Padua, and especially Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross and Saint Therese of Lisieux – to name just a few examples. Many saints cherished a burning love for the Child Jesus and were deeply moved by the miracle of God-made-man and the thought of the divine Word taking flesh in the form of a defenseless child.

In Latin America, in addition to the devotion to the world-famous Infant Jesus of Prague, there is also a profound devotion to another image of the Child Jesus, clad in a pink garment, with his arms outstretched. The origins of this devotion lie in Colombia, and it is renowned as wonder-working, so that devotion to this image has spread almost throughout the entire continent.

In Nicaragua, too, there is a shrine to the Divino Niño Jesus. This is in Fuente Pura, in the Diocese of Matagalpa, and it has become a very popular place of pilgrimage that is visited all year round by thousands of pilgrims. On  July 20th, the feast day of the Divino Niño, more than 50,000 faithful come to honor this wondrous Child Jesus.

Unfortunately, the church that houses the shrine is too small, even on normal days, to accommodate the many pilgrims who visit or  to minister pastorally to their needs. From early morning until late in the evening, local priests hear confessions and celebrate Holy Mass, while new groups of pilgrims come and go and there is perpetual Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. On top of this, the shrine church has now been designated as one of the Jubilee churches for the Holy Year of Mercy, where the pilgrims can pass through the Holy Door.

A brand-new church is now being built to accommodate the needs of the many pilgrims. ACN has already promised $20,100 towards the first phase of this new church. Will you join in giving to provide a new a bigger church for this pilgrim shrine of the Divine Child Jesus in Nicaragua?

Progress: 1% Raised: $ 210     Goal: $ 20100

Code: 231-08-19

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