Holy Child of Remedy
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, a very wealthy matron, decided to move from Spain to another country and in so doing, she decided to sell many of her possessions. It is then that the statue of the Holy Child Jesus emerges onto recorded history since the statue was one of the possessions she no longer desired to keep. The image itself dates back to the XVI or XVII century. The statue was purchase by Don Pedro Martin Mazarruela who carried it to his home and placed it with great honor in the back room of his printing shop, which was centrally located in Madrid. At the end of every day, his wife and two daughters would gather in front of the statue of the Divine Child and present to Him their intentions and petitions.
Very soon, word spread throughout Madrid of the presence of this image, which according to the owners as well as other devotees, was very miraculous. People were beginning to arrive in greater numbers to place their petitions before the Holy Child Jesus. Don Pedro, who had been blessed by many favors received from the Divine Child decided to enlarge the shrine for people to visit. The Holy Child Jesus attracted many devotees and sought to remedy their ailments and troubles this devotion to His Holy Childhood so reminiscent of His own Cross. Among the many devotes, it is known that the Queen Maria Cristina, mother of Alfonso XIII, visited the shrine incognito to ask the Holy Child to protect her son. No doubt, this particular incident caused an even greater increase among the people to the Holy Child.
Don Pedro, his family, and a chaplain from a nearby church, St. Catalina, decided the devotion needed a formal title. They held a Mass requesting heaven’s assistance in this effort. They had selected several titles: Holy Child of Hope, Holy Child of Forgiveness, Holy Child of Comfort, and Holy Child of Remedy. Twice they drew lots to see which name Divine Providence wanted them to give the image and twice they obtained the same results, Holy Child of Remedy. This title depicts the Child Jesus as the Author of all gifts that can remedy any human situation; in Him we find mercy and consolation in time of need.
Immediately, a congregation was founded, and a novena and prayer were written. It was obvious by this time, the Holy Child of Remedy needed to be moved to a shrine where the faithful could visit Him often. It was decided to move the image to the Church of the Holy Cross. In 1917, the image was taken with a great procession Oratory at the current location. Since that time, numerous devotees of Our Lord under this representation have visited the Oratory.
The statue itself has survived many attempts at restoration which have not been very successful. In the last reconstruction, the right foot had to be corrected since it had worn off due to the innumerable kisses from all the faithful. Today, a small silver shoe protects the foot in an attempt to try to keep this from happening again.
Holy Child of Remedy, Child of the Passion, with His sad countenance understand His destiny, and carrying His Cross does not shrink from His fate but decidedly steps forward to fulfill it. Every day, this beloved and holy image is visited by hundreds of people who share with Him the secrets of their hearts. On the thirteenth of every month, the image is lowered from the high altar and placed so that the faithful can kiss Him.
More information on this devotion can be obtained from writing to the following address:
Oratorio del
Santo Niño del Remedio
c/ Donados, 6
28013 Madrid, España
Tel. 542 61 12
Very soon, word spread throughout Madrid of the presence of this image, which according to the owners as well as other devotees, was very miraculous. People were beginning to arrive in greater numbers to place their petitions before the Holy Child Jesus. Don Pedro, who had been blessed by many favors received from the Divine Child decided to enlarge the shrine for people to visit. The Holy Child Jesus attracted many devotees and sought to remedy their ailments and troubles this devotion to His Holy Childhood so reminiscent of His own Cross. Among the many devotes, it is known that the Queen Maria Cristina, mother of Alfonso XIII, visited the shrine incognito to ask the Holy Child to protect her son. No doubt, this particular incident caused an even greater increase among the people to the Holy Child.
Don Pedro, his family, and a chaplain from a nearby church, St. Catalina, decided the devotion needed a formal title. They held a Mass requesting heaven’s assistance in this effort. They had selected several titles: Holy Child of Hope, Holy Child of Forgiveness, Holy Child of Comfort, and Holy Child of Remedy. Twice they drew lots to see which name Divine Providence wanted them to give the image and twice they obtained the same results, Holy Child of Remedy. This title depicts the Child Jesus as the Author of all gifts that can remedy any human situation; in Him we find mercy and consolation in time of need.
Immediately, a congregation was founded, and a novena and prayer were written. It was obvious by this time, the Holy Child of Remedy needed to be moved to a shrine where the faithful could visit Him often. It was decided to move the image to the Church of the Holy Cross. In 1917, the image was taken with a great procession Oratory at the current location. Since that time, numerous devotees of Our Lord under this representation have visited the Oratory.
The statue itself has survived many attempts at restoration which have not been very successful. In the last reconstruction, the right foot had to be corrected since it had worn off due to the innumerable kisses from all the faithful. Today, a small silver shoe protects the foot in an attempt to try to keep this from happening again.
Holy Child of Remedy, Child of the Passion, with His sad countenance understand His destiny, and carrying His Cross does not shrink from His fate but decidedly steps forward to fulfill it. Every day, this beloved and holy image is visited by hundreds of people who share with Him the secrets of their hearts. On the thirteenth of every month, the image is lowered from the high altar and placed so that the faithful can kiss Him.
More information on this devotion can be obtained from writing to the following address:
Oratorio del
Santo Niño del Remedio
c/ Donados, 6
28013 Madrid, España
Tel. 542 61 12
