(ANS – Bogotá) – On 25-27 April, the statue of the Infant Jesus venerated in the Shrine of the Infant Jesus in the July 20 neighbourhood in Bogotá, was carried in procession to the Catholic Cristovisión studio as part of the activities for the International Day of the Child. The shrine dedicated to devotion to the Child Jesus is served by the Salesians in collaboration with other religious communities. It attracts thousands and thousands of pilgrims every year.

It is the second time that the statue of the Child Jesus has been brought out of the July 20 district. The first was in 2006 when the statue was carried in a march in defence of the life of the unborn child. On that occasion the statue of the Christ Child was carried to the Plaza de Bolívar which is the heart and political centre of the Colombian capital.

This time the procession was accompanied by auxiliary celebrations which once again confirmed the strength of this devotion. The Cristovisión channel has accompanied every moment of the procession. They also made a special five hour programme on the work of the Salesian community in promoting devotion to the Child Jesus.

In addition to the care of the shrine, the Salesian community in the July 20 district offers other services for the entire population. There is an emphasis on catechetical ministry, carried out by a staff that includes the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and committed lay people. It works through faith support groups for children, youth and adults. There is also social ministry, centred on charitable social service, from the perspective of the Gospel and the social teaching of the Church. Finally there are pastoral and educational activities carried out in educational centres in the parish.

Further information on this work and on devotion to the Child Jesus is available on the dedicated website.

Published 02/05/2014