During this time, the Thirty Years War was in progress. Prague was
under siege several times and finally was overcome and pillaged by the
armies of Saxony in 1630. The Carmelites fled and the statue of The
Holy Infant was thrown in a storage area behind the main altar of the
Church of Our Lady of Victories by the mercenaries who occupied the
monastery. Five years later, in 1635, after the Treaty of Prague, the
Carmelites returned to Prague and to their monastery at Our Lady of
Victories Church. The friars completely forgot about the statue of The
Holy Infant and their devotion to The Holy Infant. In 1637, a Father
Cyril, who had a great devotion to The Holy Infant, was sent back to the
Carmelite Monastery in Prague (he had been one of those who fled in
1630). He found the statue behind the main altar. The hands of the
statue had been broken off. It was at this time that the Infant is said
to have appeared to Father Cyril and told him, “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.”
The last sentence
has become the centerpiece of world-wide devotion to The Infant Jesus of
Prague. Father Cyril, inspired by the Infant’s guidance, spent many
futile attempts to raise the money for the repairs required for the
statue of The Holy Infant. He eventually found benefactors who paid not
only for the restoration of the statue, but for the construction of a
chapel expressly intended for its veneration.
A statue of The Holy Infant in the guise of a king was brought to
Prague, Czechoslovakia, as a precious souvenir of her native country,
Spain, by Maria Manriquez de Lara, who in 1556, married Vratislav
Pernstyn, a Czech nobleman. According to an old legend, the statue was
modeled by a pious friar, to whom its likeness had been revealed in a
vision to him by The Holy Infant.
Inside the church...
We even have the Filipina Mother and Child..
the ceiling...
Museum of Infant Jesus...
Going up the stairs, religious statues are all over.
Intricate clothes donated from all over the world...
The ancient tradition of dressing the statue of the Infant Jesus is intended to bring Jesus closer to the faithful as a real human being. It helps us to experience the closeness to Jesus and to express our love and reverence.
he
ancient tradition of dressing the statue of the Infant Jesus is
intended to bring Jesus closer to the faithful as a real human being. It
helps us to experience the closeness of Jesus and to express our love
and reverence. - See more at:
http://www.miraclesofthechurch.com/2014/01/miraculous-infant-jesus-of-prague.html#sthash.bvymZJDf.dpuf
he
ancient tradition of dressing the statue of the Infant Jesus is
intended to bring Jesus closer to the faithful as a real human being. It
helps us to experience the closeness of Jesus and to express our love
and reverence. - See more at:
http://www.miraclesofthechurch.com/2014/01/miraculous-infant-jesus-of-prague.html#sthash.bvymZJDf.dpuf
The task of changing the Infant Jesus' robes is entrusted to the Carmelite Sisters of the Chile Jesus, who helped the Discalced Carmelite Fathers to look after the shrine and the statue.
The statue of the Holy Infant later became the property of Maria’s
daughter Polyxena. Polyxena was married to Duke Wilhelm de Rosenberg,
First Lord of the Kingdom, Great Bourgrave of Prague and Knight of the
Golden Fleece. After his death, Polyxena married a second time to Baron
Zdenek Vojtech Popel de Lobkowitz, Great Chancellor of the Kingdom,
Knight of the Golden Fleece, and Prince of the Holy Empire. In 1629,
Polyxena resolved to make the statue of the Holy Infant available to all
believers, and, consequently dedicated it to the Carmelite Monastery
and the adjoining Church of Our Lady of Victories in Prague. She is
said to have stated, “I bring you my dearest possession. Honor the
Infant Jesus and you shall never want.” The friars soon acquired a
devotion to The Infant Jesus and had recourse to Him in their needs.
Many blessings, both material and spiritual, came to the monastery and
the friars.
Altar under renovation...
The statue of the infant is only 18
inches in height and stands on a special pedestal base. The wax
figure around a wooden central core is clothed in two white albs and
a dalmatic and mantle (priestly vestment or robe) and his golden
crown. In his left hand he holds an orb globe surmounted by a cross
representing His universal Kingship and his right hand is raised as
in a priestly blessing.
The
statue of the infant is only 18 inches in height and stands on a
special pedestal base. The wax figure around a wooden central core is
clothed in two white albs and a dalmatic and mantle (priestly vestment
or robe) and his golden crown. In his left hand he holds an orb globe
surmounted by a cross representing His universal Kingship and his right
hand is raised as in a priestly blessing. - See more at:
http://www.miraclesofthechurch.com/2014/01/miraculous-infant-jesus-of-prague.html#sthash.bvymZJDf.dpuf
Just across the church, is a Filipino store, that sells Pinoy products (i.e. dry goods)
and freshly squeezed juices...lady Filipina is married to a Czech--purposely put up a store
because they know that the Filipinos visit (or do a pilgrimage) the church all the time.
They are friendly and helpful.
Although, there are couple of souvenir shops outside,
we prefer to buy inside--to support the church.
After several days of coming back to the church,
finally, I get the chance to hear the Holy Mass (in English).
As the devotion to the Infant Jesus spreads throughout the world, many parishes now
offer Holy Mass and novenas to honor the Holy Child of God and many prayer groups
have been formed. Jesus has kept His promise that the more that He is honored, the
more that He will bless them. This is truly evidenced by the many favors He has
granted to those who ask Him.
have been formed. Jesus has kept His promise that the more that He is honored, the
more that He will bless them. This is truly evidenced by the many favors He has
granted to those who ask Him.
"Such a blessing which I want to share with you
through my LeNs."
Thank you for taking time
to view my travel blog..
--Freundschaft Bee
Instagram& FB: freundschaft_bee
Instagram& FB: freundschaft_bee
Reference: http://www.shrineofinfantjesus.com/IJhistory
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