Divine Child Jesus

of Colombia and Latin America

In Hispanic-America the devotion had a lovely twist starting in Colombia with the Divine Child Jesus, propagated first by the Carmelites, and then by the Salesians with Father Juan de Rizzo:

Discovery of Father Juan Rizzo:

In 1914, the Salesians wanted to build a temple in Barranquilla, Colombia. Father Rizzo was asked by his Superior to beg for the money they didn't had. Father Rizzo was so ashamed to beg, that at the end of the day he returned home without a single penny. Next day the Superior gave him the same assignment, and Father went to Mary Help of Christians for help. While he was praying, Child Jesus told him with His open arms: "Bring me with you, I want to accompany you in your task"... Father Rizzo did just that, and he collected so much money, that from that day on during all his life he wanted to have always some kind of benefic work at hand, just to have a reason to ask for money with Child Jesus... and all were successes!...and of course, the Divine Child Jesus was his greatest love!.

Father Rizzo went to an old store to find a statue of the Child Jesus, and found the one in this page, but the Child had a Cross behind Him. Father said: "I want to get this one, but please, take off the Cross, do they want to crucify Him so young?". Father Rizzo also ordered to put in the bottom the inscription "Yo Reinaré", "I shall Reign"... and, of course, Jesus wants to reign in your heart, to fill it with his love, joy and peace... and He shall Reign!, praise the Small Great Lord!.