HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The 10th Annual Divino Nino Festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. This year’s festival holds special significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Shrine.
“As the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament turns 25 this year, we’re also celebrating another anniversary – our 10th Annual Divino Nino Festival! Join us as we celebrate The Word becoming flesh, as a child – the Divine Child!” said the Shrine.
The Divino Nino devotion at the Shrine began with Mother Angelica’s experience during a visit to a shrine dedicated to the Divine Child in Bogota, Colombia, in 1996. While praying before a statue of the Holy Infant, she felt as though it moved and heard the words, “Build me a temple and I will help those who help you.” This vision led to the construction of the Shrine, which has since become a place of deep spiritual significance to people far and wide.
In 2014, the Nuns of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery began hosting the annual Divino Nino Festival to honor the Divine Child Jesus, with a bilingual focus to reflect Mother Angelica’s experience in Colombia. Held on the Saturday closest to the Feast of the Divino Niño, the festival centers on encountering Christ through Mass, a Eucharistic Healing Service and joyful celebrations like balloons, cake and a procession, making it a day of spiritual and communal joy for all ages.
“I want very much to spread devotion to the Divine Child Jesus. Not only is He powerful, but what you and I need is family and that Child Jesus will make us one again. He will put love in our hearts, where it should be,” Mother Angelica said in celebration of the love of God as the Divine Child Jesus.
The festival will begin at 9 a.m. with concurrent talks on the Child Jesus, delivered by Fr. Patrick Mary, MFVA in English, and Fr. Jim Hedderman in Spanish. A full schedule of events can be found below or on the official Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament website.
Schedule:
- 9 a.m. – Concurrent talks on the Child Jesus
- English Talk – Fr. Patrick Mary, MFVA
Spanish Talk – Fr. Jim Hedderman
- English Talk – Fr. Patrick Mary, MFVA
- Confessions available
- 10 a.m. Kids’ event: A Rosary of Joy with Totus Tuus (Must be accompanied by parent)
- 10:30 a.m. – Rosary with the Poor Clare Nuns
- 11 a.m. – Festival Mass, Procession to Divino Nino Statue and Blessing of the Children
- 12:30 p.m. – Lunch available for purchase and Divino Nino Cake
- 12:30 p.m. Kids’ lunchtime songs and fun (Must be accompanied by parent)
- 2 p.m. – Eucharistic Healing Service
- 3 p.m. – Confessions available
For more information and the full schedule of events, visit www.olamshrine.com/preview/96-divino-nino-festival or call 256-352-6267. The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is located at 3224 County Road 548, Hanceville, AL, 35077.
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