Niño De Atocha Prayer Card

Portrayed as a small Spanish pilgrim boy, the image of the child Jesus known as Santo Niño de Atocha is dressed in a long gown with a cape that has a wide lace collar and frilled cuffs. The traditional symbol of a pilgrim, a cockleshell, is on his cape, and he holds a little basket in his left hand and a water gourd suspended from a staff in his right hand. The little holy boy wears buckled sandals –huaraches- of silver, and a large, floppy hat with a feather. Although he is known as a wanderer, he is usually shown seated in a little chair.

The pious tradition of Santo Niño de Atocha is a story rich in both history and devotion. Although the Holy Child is the miracle worker, the devotion was originally a Marian one. As is proper, before a child is asked to do something, first the petitioner must ask permission from his mother. Thus, the prayers and novenas to the Infant of Atocha begin with a prayer to Mary, Our Lady of Atocha.