Novena Prayer to the Miraculous
Infant of Prague
Brother John Raymond
The origin of the miraculous Infant of Prague statue can be
traced to Spain. In 1556 Maria Manriquez de Lara brought this
precious statue with her from Spain to Bohemia, a part of present
Czechoslovakia, when she married a Czech nobleman, Vratislav of
Pernstyn. Princess Polyxena Lobkowitz inherited the statue from her
mother, Maria. Princess Polyxena gave the Image to the Discalced
Carmelites in Prague in 1628.
In 1630 Swedish troops invaded the city of Prague and there was
anti-Catholic vandalism. The Carmelites had to abandon their
monastery. The troops entered the monastery and among other violent
acts they broke the fingers on the Infant statue. For several years
the statue lay broken and forgotten. In 1637, one of the Carmelites,
Father Cyril of the Mother of God, returned to Prague, found the
statue and placed the Infant in their oratory.
One day, as Father Cyril was praying before the Image, he heard
these words: "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!" Father noticed the broken hands but because of
their extreme poverty nothing could be done. After many prayers
donations came enabling Father to fix the Infant's hands.
After one of the Carmelites was miraculously cured devotion to
the Infant spread. The Church gave its approval of the devotion
through the Archbishop of Prague in 1648. From Prague, with the help
of the Carmelites, this devotion has spread throughout the world.
Novena Prayer to the Miraculous Infant of Prague
(Should be prayed especially from December 17th through the 25th)
Dearest Jesus, Little Infant of Prague, how tenderly You love us!
Your greatest joy is to dwell among us and to bestow Your blessing
upon us. Though I am not worthy that You should help me, I feel
drawn to You by love because You are kind and merciful.
So many who turned to You with confidence have received graces
and had their petitions granted. Behold me as I come before You to
lay open my heart to You with its prayers and hopes. I present to
You especially this request, which I enclose in Your loving Heart:
(Mention your request).
Rule over me, dear Infant Jesus, and do with me and mine
according to Your Holy Will, for I know that in Your Divine Wisdom
and Love You will arrange everything for the best. Do not withdraw
Your hand from me, but protect and bless me forever.
I pray You, all-powerful and gracious Infant Jesus, for the sake
of Your Sacred Infancy, in the Name of Your Blessed Mother Mary who
cared for You with such tenderness, and by the greatest reverence
with which St. Joseph carried You in his arms, help me in my needs.
Make me truly happy with You, dearest Infant, in time and in
eternity, and I shall thank You forever with all my heart. Amen.