Prague is the capital city of Czechoslovakia which is located at the very center of Europe; and its neighbouring countries are Germany, Poland, Russia and Austria. The history of the Infant of Prague started in the 17th century when the statue was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) by a Spanish Lady and was given to the Carmelites at the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious in Mala Strana, a small town in Prague, as a spiritual treasure. However, the history of the statuette that has made this church famous began in Spain.
In the Beginning: Spain 1550
The popularity of the Child Jesus grew in the Baroque period (Spain) which may have been caused by the visions of St. Teresa of Avila, the reformer of the Carmelite Order who used to bring a statuette of the Infant Jesus with her all the time when founding convents.
The reverence for the Incarnation emphasizing the human side of Jesus Christ who had become a mere child, was very much alive in Spain at the time.
A number of sculptures of the Holy Child were made in Spain and these were made of wax, ivory and bronze and were dressed in garments reflecting the aristocratic fashion of that period. It is unknown to this date which of those early sculptures that got to Prague was the exact origin of the Jesus of Prague.
It was speculated that the statue came from a monastery in Bohemia which was then obtained by Dona Isabella Manrique of Spain. On the other hand, it was also said that the statuette is the work of an unknown artist of Spain and in 1550’s it was owned by Manrique de Lara family. When Dona Isabella’s daughter, Duchess Maria Maxmiliana (Marie) Manrique de Lara, married the Czech nobleman Vratislav of Pernstejn in 1556, she received this rare family treasure as a wedding gift and brought the Infant Jesus statue to her new residence in Prague.
This noble lady in turn presented the Holy Infant to her daughter, Lady Polyxena of Lobkovice when she got married in 1587. When Polyxena’s husband died in 1623, she resolved to spend the remainder of her days in works of piety and charity.
She was particularly generous to the Carmelite priests and brothers of Prague. In 1623, Lady Polyxena presented her beloved statue to the Descalced Carmelites at the church of our Lady Victorious with these prophetic words: “I hereby give you what I prize most highly in this world. As long as you venerate this image you will not be in want.”
This statue then became known as the Infant Jesus of Prague which stands nineteen inches high.
It is clothed in a royal mantle and has a beautiful jeweled crown on its head. Its right hand raised in blessing, its left holds a globe signifying sovereignty.
Mala Strana is situated at the foothills of Prague Castle which belongs to the most enchanting and interesting Prague districts and in its charming environment, the Church of our Lady Victorious stands with its facade facing Karmelitska Street. The city was founded in 1257 by King Premysl Otakar II as Prague’s second town where Baroque architecture prevails.
It has an eminent place among the numerous churches of Mala Strana, not only for its architecturic structures and artistic decoration, but mainly because it is here that the famous statuette of the Graceful Infant Jesus of Prague is held and venerated. The church was built in the year 1611-1613.
After the victory of the Counter-Reformation in the Czech lands, Emperor Ferninand II handed the church over to the Order of the Descalced Carmelites. It is consecrated to our Lady Victorious and originally also to St. Anthony of Padua.
The rectory was relocated to the opposite side and a new early Baroque front was built. This reconstruction had meant the introduction of early Baroque in Prague church architecture.
For many years this statue has been enshrined on a side altar of the church. Here the religious sought relief in their bitter need from Him who for love of humankind had become poor. And the prediction of Lady Polyxena was verified. As long as the Divine Infant Jesus was venerated, God showed Himself a kind helper though his Son and the community prospered both spiritually and temporally.
One particular devotee was Father Cyrillus who was most devoted to the Infant Jesus and found sudden relief from interior trials through this devotion.
The 30 years war – Baroque Era
However, the devotion to the Divine Infant was short-lived. During the Thirty-years war, the Saxons and the Swedes took turns to invade Prague and pillaged both the church and the monastry; the special devotion held before the image was gradually neglected; the prosperity of the community. declined and need and distress was felt; the Carmelites, the other novices, and the most fervent worshipper of the Infant Jesus of Prague had departed; and the veneration to the Holy Child totally and completely ceased.
With the Carmelite Monastry plundered, the image of the Infant Jesus of Prague was thrown upon a heap of rubbish behind the high altar. Both hands were broken off by the fall, but though made of wax, it was otherwise undamaged. Here the Divine Infant lay, stayed and forgotten by all for several years.
After that period, Prague experienced more wars and unrest, but the church and the Infant Jesus chapel was miraculously protected. In 1776, the altar was rebuilt using marble and two huge sculptures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were placed to the left and right sides of the altar. The Holy Infant was left in a glass case standing in a pedestal engraced with crystals and surrounding the Infant were twenty angels in gold.
During the Pentecost holidays in 1637, Father Cyrillus returned to Prague from Munich and lived there until his death in 1675. And after a prolonged search, he found the broken, abandoned, long-last treasure almost buried in dust. Full of joy and gratitude, he kissed the disfigured statue and placed it on an altar in the oratory.
The long forgotten devotion were now revived with renewed vigor. One day, while praying before the statue, he distinctly 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 honour me, the more I will bless you.” After great efforts and much hardships, he had the Infant Jesus hands repaired.
The “Little Prague Baby” again became an object of worship of believers and many extraodinary events were attributed to it. And ever since the statue was fixed, a number of miracles had occurred and the word began to spread, resulting in a large number of veneration to the Holy Infant.
In thanksgiving for the numerous graces and cures received, the consecrating Bishop of Prague solemnly crowned the Holy Infant on April 14, 1655 on a Sunday after Easter as a sign emphasizing the royal and divine dignity of God who has become a child.
And the anniversary of this coronation has been celebrated ever since with a festive mass on the Ascension holiday which is the culmination of the Easter mystery considered by the New Testament to be the real coronation in the glory and the fulfillment of God’s Incarnation.
Conclusion
Devotion to the royal Christ Child under the title of the Infant Jesus of Prague is one of the more powerful and beloved devotions in the church.
This devotion has grown proportion and has continued to spread throughout the world. Many favours and graces were received which brought thousands of people to his statue.
The Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague is adorned by believers not only in Europe, but also in India, in the Philippines, in Australia and especially Latin American countries. A testimony to this veneration are the many sanctuaries all over the world further spreading the fame of this little statue and the reverence for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God.
