Infant of Prague

Infant of Prague I would like to briefly share with you my recent experience of going on a spiritual pilgrimage to visit the Infant Jesus of Prague shrine in the Czech Republic. Most of us probably remember having at home (or at least seeing one somewhere) an Infant of Prague statue. The story behind it is very important and reminds us of God calling all of us to be humble in His sight. The statue itself originated in Spain as a family heirloom belonging to Maria Manriquez de Lara who brought the statue with her to Czechoslovakia when she married the Czech nobleman, Vratislav of Pernstyn. Eventually in 1628 the statue was brought for public devotion to a church in Prague cared for by the Discalced Carmelites. Fr. Cyril was the first person to promote the devotion to the Infant in gratitude for having been granted an assurance of his religious and priestly vocation. During the Thirty Years War, the church was seriously damaged and so was the statue (which was lost for awhile and eventually found by Fr. Cyril.) Unfortunately, the hands were broken. One day while mediating before the statue, he heard a voice, “Have pity on Me and I will have pity on you. Give Me My hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you!” At that very moment, Fr. Cyril noticed the broken hands and attempted to have it repaired but no funds were available. Through the generosity of a mysterious woman (who appeared with the money and after having given it to Fr. Cyril suddenly disappeared) and a gentleman, the cost was eventually taken care of and the statue was repaired. Today one can view the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague in a side altar at the Church of Our Lady Victorious. Standing eighteen inches high, it is beautifully adorned with clothing. The color of the vestments is reflective of the liturgical seasons. Since we were still in the Christmas season when I was there, white was the color of the Infant’s vestments. People come from all over the world to pray to the little Infant who loves every person who comes to Him. The left hand encircles a miniature globe, surmounted by a cross, representing the Kingship of the Christ Child. The right hand is extended in blessing in a form reserved for the Pope (the first two fingers are upraised to symbolize the two natures in Jesus, while the folded thumb and last two fingers touch each other, representing the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the mystery of the Holy Trinity.) The Infant is wearing a crown reminding us of Christ our King. The tabernacle is placed below the statue. I had the privilege of celebrating Mass at the main altar of the church. All of the petitions given me were placed on the altar during the Mass and prayed for. I also thank you for your prayers for me during this time of pilgrimage. If there is only one lesson to be learned from the Infant Jesus of Prague it is that Jesus humbled Himself to become one of us because of His great love for all of humanity. We are children of God and so come before Him in humility recognizing our sinfulness and weaknesses. We also recognize that has called us to greatness and because of His mercy and forgiveness we are able to rise up and come out of the darkness into the light and love of Jesus Himself! Father David Information on the Infant Jesus of Prague supplied by Rev. Ludvik Nemec in his book, “The Infant Jesus of Prague.” (Catholic Book Publishing Company, 1986) .

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