The Child Jesus and the Infant of Prague

Devotion to the Infant Jesus as a child and yet King of Heaven is a wonderful theme to contemplate in prayer. As far back in Old Testament times the prophet Isaiah spoke:

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness." [IS 11:1-2]

This Child was given to us who "being rich, became poor for your sake. in order that by His poverty you might become rich" [2 Cor 8:9]. Our Eternal Father ordained that His Son, Jesus, should know all life's stages: infancy, childhood, youth, and that He should be like us in everything, except sin.

Our God made Man and Savior was born as a helpless baby, who, in deep humility, relyied on His Mother for all His needs. As He grew, He was obedient to His Mother and Father sanctifying the Holy House in Nazareth with His Divine Nature united to His Human State. There is no condition of growth that Jesus has not sanctified for us by living it Himself.

Children hold a special place in His heart. Their innocence and unconditional love and trust are the qualities He admires most. Preaching to His disciples he said:

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. [Mat18:1-6]

Devotion to the Infant of Prague

In 1628, the Carmelite friars in Prague received a gift of a beautiful statue of the infant Jesus from a devout noblewoman, a Princess Polixena. They placed the statue in their Church in order to venerate the infant Jesus of Prague, their veneration then being the source of numerous and miraculous favors.

In 1631, when enemies of the Church sacked Prague, they mocked the Holy Infant and threw the statue into a heap of trash in an obscure place. Some years later, Ven. Father Cyril of the Mother of God, a Carmelite of the Prague monastery, found the statue. One day, while praying before the holy image, Father Cyril heard the consoling words,"Have pity on Me and I will have pity on you; restore My hands and I will give you peace; the more you honor Me, the more I will bless you."

So many graces, blessings, and miraculous cures came to those who embraced this devotion that it spread throughout the Catholic world and continues to be a source of much grace to this day.

Visit the Carmelite Friars at the Muzeum of the Infant Jezus of Prague for more

Teresa of Avila and Thérèse of Lisieux with the Child Jesus

St. Teresa of Jesus, always traveled with her statue of the Infant Jesus when she was establishing new convents. Her devotion to the Infant Jesus was established after an very interesting incident. One day Teresa of Avila was coming down the steps of her convent when she saw a beautiful young boy. The Child spoke to her and said: "Who are you?" Teresa answered: "I am Teresa of Jesus, who are you?" The Child answered: "I am Jesus of Teresa!"

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (to which she later added the title "and the Holy Face") was throughout her life particularly devoted to the Infant Jesus just as her great spiritual mother, Teresa of Avila, had been. Thérèse placed and Infant statue in the novitiate at Lisieux when she had charge of the novices, because she knew how many blessings the Divine Child brought to the Carmelite novices in Prague when it was placed in their midst. The same statue still stands in the cloister at Lisieux.

The spiritual teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux is often called the "Way of Spiritual Childhood". Her most simplistic approach to attaining holiness is deceptively simple but it has the power to make each one of us a Saint! The infancy of Jesus was for her a source of inspiration.

In teaching about her "little way" Thérèse writes in her autobiography:

"My mortifications consisted in breaking my will, always so ready to impose itself on others, in holding back a reply, in rendering little services without recognition, in not leaning my back against a support when seated, etc., etc."

In mortifying her own self-will she was offering herself to God through ordinary everyday living. She says:

"It was through the practice of these nothings that I prepared myself to become the financee of Jesus, and I cannot express how much this waiting left me with sweet memories."

She also wrote, "I went to war against myself in the spiritual domain of self-denial and little hidden sacrifices. I found humility and peace in this hidden combat in which selfish nature can get no hold."

With her teaching us the path to sanctity found in the midst of ordinary life Pope Pius X claimed Thérèse the "greatest saint of modern times" and on October 19th, 1997 Pope John Paul II declared Thérèse of Lisieux a Doctor of the Universal Church.

Prayer by Ven. Father Cyril of the Mother of God, OCD

Infant Jesus,
unto You With a humble trust I pray.

Through Your mother's sinless heart,
Help me in my need today.

I believe that You are God,
With a power that is divine.
Full of confidence I ask
That You grant this prayer of mine.

Firm my purpose to amend,
I resolve to grieve no more
That most loving heart of Yours
Out of which all mercies pour.

My whole life I give to You,
I will serve You, Infant King,
Suffer for You patiently,
Do Your will in everything.

Little Jesus, for Your sake
I will love my neighbor, too.
I will seek the other's good
Through the love I bear for You.
Save me through Your mother's prayers,
And St. Joseph's, grant me then
With the heavenly choirs to sing
Endless praise to You.
Amen!

Prayer reveled by Our Lady to Ven. Father Cyril of the Mother of God, OCD

Prayer to the Child Jesus recitated every evening

in the Sanctuary of Arenzano in Italy

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name,
look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image,
and hear our prayers.

We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart.
Lay Your allpowerful hand upon them and help them in their needs.
Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering;
upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners,
to draw them into the light of your divine grace;
upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering,
turn trustingly to You for loving help.

Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing.

O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world,
and keep us now and always in the grace of your love!

Amen.

Infant of Prague Novena Prayer

O Jesus, Who has said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who has said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary Your Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask your Father in your name that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who has said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass away," through the intercession of Mary Your Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

Novena Prayer to the Infant Jesus of Prague

As used by the Sisters at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis, Missouri

O miraculous Infant Jesus! prostrate before Thy sacred image, we beseech Thee to cast a merciful look on our troubled hearts. Let Thy tender Heart, so inclined to pity, be softened at our prayers, and grant us that grace for which we ardently implore Thee. Take from us all affliction and despair, all trials and misfortunes with which we are laden. For Thy sacred infancy's sake hear our prayers and send us consolation and aid, that we may praise Thee, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Act of Consecration to the Infant of Jesus of Prague

O sweet Child Jesus, who didst manifest Thy power and mercy through a little waxen figure of Thyself in Prague, I wish to proclaim Thy Royal dominion over my soul and body.

Deign, O Little King of Heaven, to watch over my work, bless my enterprises both temporal and spiritual, to dispel my cares, to sanctify my joys, to alleviate my sufferings.

Grant me pardon for all the offences I have committed against Thee, for I know that Thou art good and merciful to the penitent sinner. Thine I am. Thine I wish to remain, ever loving and adoring Thee, Little King of Heaven. Take possession of my whole being; do with me whatever Thou wilt. I desire, like St. Theresa, Thy Little Flower of Carmel, to be Thy playmate. Make me love Thee more and more, that one day I will enjoy Thy sweet little face smiling from Thy throne in Heaven.

The Infant of Jesus Chapelet

Directed by heavenly guidance, Venerable Sister Marguerite of the BI. Sacrament (1619-1648), a Carmelite nun, fashioned the Infant Jesus Chaplet. Because its recitation pleases Him so very much, Jesus promised Ven. Sister Marguerite that the faithful who recite it in memory of His Birth, His Flight into Egypt, and His Hidden Life at Nazareth, will not only be granted the special graces of purity of heart and innocence, but in addition will be unfailingly assisted by His Divine Help in all their spiritual and temporal wants. Moreover, to encourage the use of this Holy Chaplet, P. Pius IX granted a 100 days indulgence for each recitation, also applicable to the Poor Souls (Aug. 9, 1855).

While meditating on the goodness of the Infant Jesus whose Image is portrayed on the medal, say

"Divine Infant Jesus,
I adore Thy Cross and I accept all the crosses Thou will be pleased to send me.
Adorable Trinity, I offer Thee for the glory of the Holy Name of God,
all the adoration of the Sacred Heart of the Holy Infant Jesus."

Next devoutly recite the Our Father three times in honor of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Before each Our Father says the aspiration

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us."

In memory of the twelve years of Jesus and His Sacred Infancy, recite twelve Ave's (Hail Marys) and before each one the same aspiration is said:

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us."

In conclusion, the invocation is said:

"Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us."

Litany of the Miraculous Infant of Prague

(For private devotion only)

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
* Have mercy on us.
Deliver us, O Jesus.
We beseech Thee hear us.
God the Father of heaven. (Have mercy on us. * )
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, *
God the Holy Ghost. *
O miraculous Infant Jesus, *
Infant Jesus, true God and Lord, *
Infant Jesus, whose omnipotence is manifested in a wonderful manner, *
Infant Jesus, whose wisdom searches our hearts and reins, *
Infant Jesus, whose goodness continually inclines to aid us, *
Infant Jesus, whose providence leads us to our last end and destiny, *
Infant Jesus, whose truth enlightens the darkness of our hearts, *
Infant Jesus, whose generosity enriches our poverty *
Infant Jesus, whose friendship consoles the afflicted,*
Infant Jesus, whose mercy forgives our sins, *
Infant Jesus, whose strength invigorates us, *
Infant Jesus, whose power turns away all evils, *
Infant Jesus, whose justice deters us from sin, *
Infant Jesus, whose power conquers hell, *
Infant Jesus, whose lovely countenance attracts our hearts, *
Infant Jesus, whose greatness holds the universe in its hand, *
Infant Jesus, whose love-inflamed Heart kindles our cold hearts, *
Infant Jesus, whose miraculous hand raised in benediction fills us with all blessings, *
Infant Jesus, whose sweet and holy Name rejoices the hearts of the faithful, *
Infant Jesus, whose glory fills the whole world, *
Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.
Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Jesus.
From all evil, (Deliver us, O Jesus)
From all sin,
From all distrust of Thy infinite goodness,
From all distrust of Thy infinite goodness, miracles,
From all lukewarmness in Thy veneration,
From trials and misfortunes,
Through the mysteries of Thy holy childhood,
We sinners, (Beseech Thee hear us.)
Through the intercession of Mary, Thy virgin Mother, and Joseph, Thy foster father,
That Thou wouldst pardon us,
That Thou wouldst bring us to true repentance,
That Thou wouldst preserve and increase in us love and devotion to Thy sacred infancy,
That Thou wouldst never withdraw Thy miraculous hand from us,
That Thou wouldst keep us mindful of Thy numberless benefits,
That Thou wouldst inflame us more and more with love for Thy Sacred Heart,
That Thou wouldst graciously deign to hear all who call upon Thee with confidence,
That Thou wouldst preserve our country in peace, t That Thou wouldst free us from all impending evils,
That Thou wouldst give eternal life to all who act generously toward Thee, That Thou wouldst pronounce a merciful sentence on us at the judgement,
That Thou wouldst in Thy miraculous image remain our consoling refuge,
Jesus, Son of God and of Mary,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Jesus.
Jesus hear us.
Jesus graciously hear us.
Our Father, etc.

LET US PRAY

O miraculous Infant Jesus! prostrate before Thy sacred image, we beseech Thee to cast a merciful look on our troubled hearts. Let Thy tender Heart, so inclined to pity, be softened at our prayers, and grant us that grace for which we ardently implore Thee. Take from us all affliction and despair, all trials and misfortunes with which we are laden. For Thy sacred infancy's sake hear our prayers and send us consolation and aid, that we may praise Thee, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen.

Nihil Obstat: BERNARD O'CONNOR, Diocesan Censor. Imprimatur: DANIEL MANNIX, Archiepiscopus Melburnensis. Melbourne, 8/1/1963.

"O Divine Infant Jesus, I have recourse to Thee. Please, through Thy Blessed Mother, assist me in this necessity..."

-- Father Cyril of the Mother of God, OCD