We are very proud of our Czech heritage and have always had a devotion in one way or another to the Infant of Prague. We have always had a small statue here or there, but have really doubled down in recent months.
For the uninitiated, the story goes that the small wood carved, wax covered, statue had once belonged to St. Theresa of Avila, and was given at one point from a Spanish Princess to her Austrian cousin. Discarded in war time, it was rediscovered, broken, by a Carmelite. He fixed the hands and kept it in a place of honor.
In 1637, as Fr. Cyril prayed before the Infant, contemplating the loving God Who became a child for His people. The statue spoke
"Have mercy on Me and I will have mercy on you.
Give Me hands and I will give you peace.
The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you."
The statue is now preserved in the Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victory in Prague. There you can find more history, prayers, devotionals, and excellent copies of the statue. https://www.pragjesu.cz/en/
Fast Forward to recent history... A few months ago I was praying for peace. We have three beautiful children and they fill every corner of my heart, and it was looking like we were not going to be able to have any more. We both came from large families and would love to have more, but I was praying for peace and contentment with the whole situation.
Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI
O my Lord Jesus, we gaze on You as a child and believe that You are the Son of God, who became Man through the working of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
Just as in Bethlehem, we too, adore You, with Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds, and acknowledge You as our only Saviour.
You became poor to enrich us with Your poverty. Grant that we may never forget the poor and all those who suffer.
Protect our families, bless all the children of the world and grant that the love You have brought us may always reign amongst us and lead us to a happier life.
Grant, O Jesus, that all may recognize the truth of Your birth, so that all may know that You have come to bring to the whole human family light, joy and peace.
You are God, who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Used during his visit at the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague on the 26th September 2009
I also sent in a prayer request to the Church where the Infant of Prague is enshrined, to be prayed for during Mass the next day. Three weeks later, Hannah came to me that she thought she might be pregnant, she was very nervous and did not want to get her hopes up. I told her we would take a pregnancy test on Sunday, and that everything would be ok. She has asked "What if I'm not, I'll be devastated" I told her if that was the case, I would take her out to breakfast and we would take a relaxing day together as a family. ... but if she was, I told her we had better get a good statue of the Infant of Prague to place in our Chapel.
We have prayed the following Novena everyday since we found out, for a health happy baby!!!
Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague
In nine days, we want to remember Jesus’ childhood and allow him to impact and change our lives. Ultimately, these are things that touch us. Jesus came into this world and became a child for every single one of us. He knows all of us by name. Every day, the Novena offers us a childhood characteristic, which at first glance might look like a limitation, but which may be just the opposite…
Day 1 – Smallness
Jesus, you became a child; you became little even though you are the infinitely great God. By doing this you showed us where true greatness lies. You teach us that we do not need to behave in a superior way for you to notice us and be interested in us. We want to accept our limitations and draw on our gifts. Let us appreciate the little things that create our life and recognise our infinite value.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man and lived a human life from beginning to end. You understand us completely without us needing to say a word. You accept us even if we are not perfect. You reach down to us to raise us up and to make us strong and brave. Please, heal our hearts and fill our life with peace, happiness and hope. For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
Day 2 – Frailty
Jesus, you took on the frailty of a child. We have all experienced the fact that our life is very fragile. Even a tiny thing can destroy our relationships, our health, our dreams, or our self-esteem. You know our fragility, you take it into account and yet and do not cease to hold us dear. Teach us to live with the awareness of our own fragility and not to forget the dignity that we have in your eyes.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
Day 3 – Poverty
Jesus, you came to this world as a poor child. You did not even have a roof over your head. You, to whom the whole universe belongs. Your awareness of being the beloved Son of God was your wealth. We also experience poverty, material or spiritual – helplessness, loneliness, and hopelessness. Let this always be an opportunity to discover our true wealth: our awareness of having you.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
Day 4 – Vulnerability
Jesus, you were not afraid to become a vulnerable child. We were also harmed in different ways – by clumsiness, misunderstanding, indifference, or even deliberately. We carry many of our injuries through our life. We do not know how to deal with them and so we hurt others. Send us those who will lead us in healing. We have hope that our injuries can be healed.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
Day 5 – Dependence on others
Jesus, like every child, you were dependent on others, on their care, closeness and solicitude. Like you, we cannot survive without others. We need you and need each other. We learn that loneliness does not feel good. Heal our relationships so that we may come out of isolation and give ourselves to others with joy.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
Day 6 – Playfulness
Jesus, playfulness and imagination were definitely part of your childhood. It is enough to watch children for a while to realise that play is often more important than “serious” work. Let us be able to be as fully in the present moment as a child absorbed in play. Let us be inspired by the truthfulness and commitment of a playing child. Let us be able to sometimes allow ourselves not to take ourselves too seriously and to be able to dream.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
Day 7 – Weakness
Jesus, almighty God, only love could have made you take on helplessness and become a weak child. You never wanted to use violence because it is not possible to win human hearts by power. Do not let our weakness lead us into desperation, after all, we know it is part of life. It teaches us to be patient, to pray, to be humble and wise. Only in weakness can we truly meet other people and build friendship and trust.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
Day 8 – Trust
Jesus, as a child you put yourself into the hands of Mary and Joseph. You have the same trust in all people and in us. Sometimes we forget that our life is in good hands, no matter what is happening. We are overcome by baseless fear and worries that bind us. When we watch you, little King, we cannot be afraid of you. Let our life be governed by trust and not by fear.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
Day 9 – Growth
Jesus, as a child you grew and became stronger in both body and spirit. We are also invited to grow into the fullness you created us into. Let us not focus on past mistakes and wrongs but instead look toward what is ahead of us. Let us discover the possibilities you send to our life and enable us to use them creatively. Let us allow our lives to bloom into full beauty.
The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father
Lord Jesus, you became man…
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