Holy Infant of Atocha, Religious shrine in Fresnillo, Mexico

The Holy Infant of Atocha is a seated figure of the Christ Child in pilgrim dress: a wide-brimmed red hat with plumes, a white ruffled collar, a red cape with a gold scallop shell, and a dark blue-green robe. His right hand holds a small brown basket, his left a staff topped with a red orb and wheat. The image rests on a red-cushioned chair, flanked by metal vases of flowers, with cherub faces painted above.

In 1554 the original Mexican image was brought from Atocha to Zacatecas and installed in the church of Saint Augustine after a silver strike at Plateros. When an explosion trapped miners in the Fresnillo mine, the child on the Virgin's image was found missing; a child gave the trapped men water and showed them the way out. The image was then placed alone in a glass box.

At Christmas, pilgrims bring toys to the child at Plateros, a custom tied to the shrine near Fresnillo. The figure's shoes are replaced because legend holds that he travels at night to aid the needy, leaving them dusty. In the Philippines the same devotion appears as Santo Niño de Palaboy, shown standing with a basket of coins or candy.

The building opens early in the morning and remains accessible until evening, with the largest crowds arriving on Sundays and special occasions. Indoor spaces for prayer and lighting candles are easy to reach from the main entrance.

Miners from the region tell of encounters with a child matching the figure who offered help during emergencies underground. Some report that small footprints remain in the dust of the tunnels after someone is rescued in ways no one can explain.