Pilgrims Flock to Monte Alto for Divino Niño Jesús Feast

Hundreds of pilgrims converged on Monte Alto in Paraguay's Atyrá district to celebrate the traditional feast of the Divino Niño Jesús. Families and individuals gathered at the local chapel, offering thanks, fulfilling vows, and renewing their devotion to the revered image.

The day was filled with emotion and popular religiosity, featuring prayer, family gatherings, and expressions of gratitude. Visitors arrived early to participate in the celebration, which community commitment keeps alive each year. Father Felipe Martínez presided over the mass, emphasizing the pilgrims' strong faith and the importance of devotion to the Divino Niño Jesús as a source of hope, unity, and spiritual strength.

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Many people arrived, we are very happy for the presence of the pilgrims who came here to accompany this celebration.

He highlighted the participation of families who return annually, underscoring the celebration's significance as a major expression of faith in the region. Mirca Esquivel, an organizer, shared her joy at the substantial attendance, noting that many families came to express gratitude for blessings received and to uphold this tradition. "Many people arrived, we are very happy for the presence of the pilgrims who came here to accompany this celebration," Esquivel said, also acknowledging the community's collaborative effort in welcoming visitors.

Preparations for the feast require significant effort, but organizers find reward in seeing families united around the Divino Niño Jesús. Esquivel thanked those who contributed to the traditional "karu guasu" (communal meal) and provided treats for children. Following the eucharistic celebration at 1 p.m., a communal lunch was shared, fostering fraternity among attendees. Children were also treated to sweets, adding to the day's joy and tradition.

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The pilgrims' great display of faith and the importance of keeping devotion to the Divino Niño Jesús alive as a space of hope, union, and spiritual strengthening.