Peruvians Anticipate New Pope to Advocate for Seventeenth-Century Incident Viewed as Eucharistic Miracle
In the heart of Peru, the small town of Eten has been captivating the world with its unique devotion to the Christ Child. This devotion stems from an apparent Eucharistic miracle that occurred in the town over four centuries ago.
Father Daniel Principe, the parish pastor, declared that this apparition marks the beginning of a unique devotion to the Christ Child. The event has sparked renewed hopes in the Indigenous Mochica community, as they believe that it could be recognised by the Vatican.
The story of the Eucharistic miracle in Eten was first published by the Peruvian bishops' conference. If officially recognised, Eten would become the first Eucharistic city in the Americas and the only Eucharistic miracle in Peru.
Thousands of pilgrims flock to Eten annually to venerate the Divine Child, which is believed to have appeared to worshippers in a consecrated host during a celebration of the Eucharist in June 1649. A statue of the Divine Child, adorned in a traditional straw hat and set in the centre of the sun, stands proudly in the parish sanctuary. Paintings of the apparition are displayed in the old chapel of the St. Mary Magdalene parish church in Eten.
The proposal to build the Eucharistic Shrine of the Divine Child of the Miracle in Eten was made by Father Manuel Rocha. The pope's fondly remembered presence in Eten is associated with his appreciation for the cause of the Eucharistic miracle. In 2022, the pope's statements about the Eucharistic miracle, as reported by AFP, considered it a gift for all Peru.
The pope's support for the construction of the Eucharistic Shrine was evident when Pope Leo XIV visited Eten to venerate the Divine Child. The then-Bishop Robert F. Prevost helped initiate the process of formally recognising what the faithful believe is a Eucharistic miracle in Eten.
Veronique Lecaros, head of the theology department at Peru's Pontifical Catholic University, stated that the bishop's actions demonstrate his closeness to the people and their way of living the faith. Camila Soto, a 14-year-old from Eten, has a special devotion to the Divine Child of the Miracle, believing her father dedicated her to him.
The election of Pope Leo XIV has renewed hopes in the Indigenous Mochica community that the Divine Child of the Miracle could be recognised by the Vatican. The pope's statements and actions indicate his support for this cause, making the construction of the Eucharistic Shrine of the Divine Child of the Miracle in Eten a significant step towards achieving this goal.
David Agren, a writer who covers news from Eten, Peru, for a specific website, has been documenting this journey. His reports provide insights into the faith and devotion of the people of Eten, and the significance of the Divine Child of the Miracle in their lives.
As the construction of the Eucharistic Shrine progresses, the town of Eten continues to attract pilgrims from around the world, drawn by the unique devotion to the Christ Child and the hope that the Divine Child of the Miracle will be officially recognised by the Vatican.
