James Cordova Arts

Gesso Relief, 2003

Santo Niño de Atocha (The Holy Child of Atocha)

The Christ Child is depicted in pilgrim's garb and seated. A Mexican legend explains that during the Moorish occupation of Spain, Christian prisoners in the small town of Atocha were not allowed to be visited by anyone but children. One day a child dressed in pilgrims garb entered the prison with a basket of bread and a gourd filled with water. When the child left, the Moorish guards were amazed to see that every prisoner was fed and given water to drink although the child still left with some bread and water. The Christian soldiers, upon witnessing the miracle, recognized the miraculous child as the Christ Child. El Santo Niño de Atocha is often prayed to by prisoners, soldiers and their families.