million pilgrims each January. Pope Paul VI granted the image a pontifical decree of coronation in 1965. Since 1536, originally from Belgium, the expressions, accessories and hand posture of Santo Niño de Cebú are similar to the Infant Jesus of Mechelen, and it is believed that both statues originated from the same European source, in Belgium with the devotion to the Philippine image starting earlier of the two. Since 1897, in Missouri, United States of America, a statue of the image enshrined at the Saint John Nepomuk parish was given a diocesan coronation on 4 January 1948 by its parish priest, Father Albert Prokes. The venerated image dates back from 1897, brought to America by Monsignor Joseph Hessoun (1853—1903) from his native Czechoslovakia. Pious believers donated their personal jewelry to the image, executed into a crown, pendant and ornaments by local jeweler Edgar Schmidt. Since 1902, the Bambino Gesu of Arenzano in the Basilica of Arenzano is an image copy brought over by Italian Marquess Delphina Gavotti of Savona. A former painting copy of the image was initially brought over by the Carmelite friars. Pope Pius XI granted a decree of pontifical coronation on 24 February 1924 and was crowned by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val on 6 September 1924. Since May 1971, in Bangalore, India, a statue of the infant Jesus has been enshrined at Infant Jesus Church in Viveknagar. The former Archbishop of Bangalore, Alphonsus Mathias formally blessed the image in 1989 by popular demand. See also List of canonically crowned images List of statues of Jesus Infant Jesus of Mechelen Santo Niño de Cebu Divino Niño Holy Infant of Good Health Lobkowicz family Christ Child References Further reading Emericus a S. Stephano O.Carm.Disc.: Pragerisches Gross und Klein. Das ist: Geschichtes-Verfassung dess in seinen seltsamen Gnaden, scheinbaren Wunder Zeichen, Wunder-würdigen Begebenheiten Grossen … (Prague 1737). Accessible through Dpt. of manuscripts and old printed books, National library of the Czech Republic. Sig. 51-G-39. (This is the original edition of the legend.) Emericus a S. Stephano O.Carm.Disc.: Pražské Weliké a Malé. To gest Wejtah Příběhův … (Prague 1749). This is the first Czech translation of the upper one. The Infant of Prague, by the Reverend Ludvik Nemec, Benziger Brothers, Inc, 1958. Holy Infant Jesus, by Ann Ball & Damian Hinojosa, The Crossroad Publishing Company, 2006. ''The INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE and Its Veneration, by Rev. H Koneberg, O.S.B. Translated from