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There’s something I like about little statues that have their own wardrobes.
Mannekin Pis ring a bell?
But, have you ever heard of the Infant Child of Prague?
Located in the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague, the Infant Child is a nineteen-inch, 16th century, Roman Catholic, wax-coated wooden statue of the infant Jesus holding a cross-bearing orb.
Having read about this interesting statue, I was determined to find its home to see what this was all about. Crossing the Vltava river, we made our way in the general direction of the church. After a few wrong turns and consultations of the map, we soon found our way.
The 17th century church, was filled with tourists jockeying for position to see the Infant Jesus. Located on the epistle side of the church, the statue is presented on its own gold altar, built in 1641, and its lower half is enclosed in a silver case.
In the past, many saints, including St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua have had a profound devotion to the Divine Child. In fact, some believe that the statue, which resides in Our Lady of Victorious, once belonged to St. Teresa of Avila, though its exact origins are not known.
Historical sources point to a nineteen-inch sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand as the original Infant Child of Prague. Located in the Spanish monastery of Santa Maria de la Valbonna in Asturias, it was carved in 1340. Other sculptures were carved by famous masters during the Middle Ages and were dressed in the aristocratic fashion of the time period. It is believed, however, that the current statue was a gift from Lady Polyxena to the Carmelites who said upon presenting the figurine, “I am giving you what I most esteem of my possessions. Keep the sculpture in reference and you will be well off”. Since that time, many claims of blessing favors and miraculous healings have been attributed to those who petition the Infant Jesus.
The statue of the Infant Jesus is quite ornate, studded with diamonds and crowned with gold. The orb he holds in is left hand symbolizes kingship and his right hand is raised with the palm in a blessing posture. Since 1788, the statue’s raised two fingers have donned two rings, gifts of thanksgiving from a noble Czech family for the healing of their daughter. The family also gifted a wig of blond hair.
The statue’s clothes are routinely changed by the Carmelite sisters of the church, especially during the Christmas season and the first Sunday of May every year on a day of feasts of coronation and public procession. As we walked towards the altar of the church, on the right, we noticed a spiral stairway with people ascending. Curious, we followed the crowd and discovered a small museum highlighting much of the Infant Jesus’ wardrobe.
Though my companion was a little disturbed by the fact that such devotion is given to what he only considers a doll, I was fascinated by the history of this icon. When in Prague’s Malá Strana district, take a moment of your time, and visit the Infant Jesus of Prague. Or better yet, try to be there during the coronation celebration held every year on the first Sunday in May. The Infant Jesus is displayed in the presbytery on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, after evening mass, a procession is held with a copy of the statue. The main pilgrimage mass with the coronation of the statue is celebrated at ten o’clock on Sunday.
For true believers, a novena prayer can be said to petition the Infant Jesus.
Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague in Urgent Need
(To be said for nine days or nine consecutive hours)
O Jesus, who said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be answered. (Mention your request)
O Jesus, who 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 be granted. (Mention your request)
O Jesus, Who said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word shall not pass,” through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I fee confident that my prayer will be granted. (Mention your request)
Amen.
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Church of Our Lady Victorious
- https://www.pragjesu.cz/
- Address: Karmelitska 385/9 | Monastery of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Prague 118 00, Czech Republic
- Hours: Church, 0830-1900, daily. Museum, Monday-Saturday, 0930-1700, Sunday, 1300-1800. Souvenir Shop, 0930-1730, daily
- Admission: free
- Getting There: Tram 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, stop Hellichova