Klášter Pražského Jezulátka: Start the 9-day Novena to the Infant Jesus for a mini-Advent Consecration Journey with your Daily Rosary & visit the Shrine of Our Lady Victorious in Prague, CZ

Many around the world come to Prague to visit the Infant Jesus. Today's post shares information on this potential Christmas pilgrimage. Unite in prayer of the Rosary and contemplate the Infant Jesus.

Dec 16, 2023

“Veneration of the Prague Infant Jesus is a spiritual extension of Christmas. We bow down to Christ embodied. We profess that God took onto Himself human form and recognise that childhood is part of it. “God made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness…” (Phil 2,7). Jesus Christ experiences complete human life, from beginning to end. In His conception, birth, and childhood we meet the real God, as well as in his adulthood, death, and resurrection. Adult Jesus, Master and teacher, later on invites his disciples: “In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18,3)1

THE ROSARY HOUR PODCAST NEWSLETTER [EARLY MORNING EDITION, EST]

COMING SOON ON DEC. 24

The Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, virtual pilgrim journey for the Rosary Hour Podcast today visits the famous statue called the Infant Jesus of Prague of Spanish origin.

Taken by photographers for Travessa da Senra House Press: Kostel Panny Marie Vítězné, The Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague (Our Lady Victorious)

RHP SACRED ART SPOTLIGHT: IMAGE OF THE INFANT JESUS (STATUE)

This is a 16th century image that has the Christ child holding holding a “globus cruciger” meaning 'cross-bearing orb' a.k.a. "the orb and cross" that symbolises authority of Christ the King. He who holds this globe with the cross is the saviour of the world and this statue was “donated to the Carmelite friars in 1628 by Polyxena, First Princess of the House of Lobkowicz”, according to Klášter Pražského Jezulátka, located at Karmelitská 9, 118 00 Praha 1 – Malá Strana (Prague at the Malá Strana streetcar stop).

See this replica here from Balasar, in Portugal at the House of Beata Alexandrina da Costa.

Note that the veneration of the Infant Jesus was initially spread by the Carmelite order and of course St. Thérèse of Lisieux, etc:

“A copy of the gracious statue2 has travelled to almost every monastery.
From the middle 18^th century the veneration of the Prague Infant Jesus spread to all the countries of the former Austrian empire. A second wave of veneration occurred at the turn of 19^th and 20^th century when veneration miraculously spread all over the world. This spread of veneration also has its strongest roots in Spain, from where the Infant Jesus originates. Spanish and Portuguese travelled with pictures and statues of the Infant Jesus across the Atlantic Ocean to the colonial countries in South America.
Thanks to missionaries and European immigrants, the Infant Jesus is known in India, China, the Philippines, and in North America. Today it is venerated most in Spanish-speaking countries. News of prayers being miraculously answered comes from all over the world.”

The following is a novena published by the Shrine in Prague a.k.a. Klášter Pražského Jezulátka (website) where pilgrims are invited to celebrate Mass this Christmas 2023.3

ADVENT PREPARATION: ROSARY w/ 9-day Novena [The Joyful Mysteries]

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… “

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

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 for ever. Amen.

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Novena 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 [OR Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary]

Join our ongoing consecration journey which we’ll share a post on soon for Day 26:

FOOTNOTES

https://www.pragjesu.cz/en/the-history-and-veneration-of-the-prague-infant-jesus/

https://www.pragjesu.cz/en/the-appearance-of-the-statue/

Mass schedule: Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 there are masses in English and Italian and Spanish. Pilgrims can get to this area easily on the transit system or simply by walking.

The parish is not immediately obvious from the outside. Public TRANSIT OPTIONS include:

Malostranská (Prague Metro LINE A) 444 m
Staroměstská(Prague Metro LINE A) 601 m

You can walk also from the nearest Streetcar tourist stop (it is walkable) or you can walk from the Charles Bridge. Just ask around for: Klášter Pražského Jezulátka or plug into your phone “Church of Our Lady Victorious”:

CHRISTMAS SERVICE INFO 2023

24.12 - Vigil Mass

10h00 Czech

12h00 English

16h00 Italian

2400 Midnight mass Czech

See the card below for Dec. 25, 26, 31, Jan 1:

There is a bookshop inside with a museum and there is a lovely Christmas Market that many people around the world visit. Consider making a visit to this Shrine and praying the Rosary before the Statue of the Infant Jesus, or just make a virtual visit and pray the Rosary for all the people making a pilgrim journey to Prague this Christmas. Think about starting your own tradition in your parish to pray to the Infant Jesus and creating a space where you can venerate this image 365 days a year, especially inviting children to pray before this statue which can be blessed by a pastor for your home, for a chapel, for a school, etc. Let’s find ways to reflect on the beauty of the Christ Child this Christmas!

Infant Jesus of Prague, pray for us!

See the website for info:

https://www.pragjesu.cz/en/ Opens for Private Prayer daily 8h30.

https://www.pragjesu.cz/en/prayers-texts/

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