Inspirational Catholic Saint - Infant Of Prague - Patron Of Children Family Life And Vocations

INSPIRATIONAL CATHOLIC SAINT - INFANT OF PRAGUE - PATRON OF CHILDREN, FAMILY LIFE AND VOCATIONS

This figurine of the Infant of Prague comes displayed in a box with a front window, the story of the Infant of Prague on the back and a prayer card included inside.

Back of box reads:
"Infant of Prague:
Devotion to the Infant of Prague grew in popularity in Spain around the 16th century. It was believed that a small sculpture of the Infant Jesus with a bird in His right hand was duplicated and made it’s way throughout Europe. The Infant statue was given to Carmelite Convent in Prague. Dona Isabella Manrique obtained the statue upon her marriage to a noble of the Czech Kingdom. Dona Isabella passed it on to her daughter, Polyxena as a wedding gift in 1587, who in turn presented the statue to the Carmelite’s at the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious in Mala Strand. The Carmalite’s placed the statue on the alter and from then on it became known as the Infant Jesus of Prague.
In 1628, during the invasion by the Saxons and Swedes, the Carmelite’s fled the city, the convent was plundered and the Infant was thrown in a trash heap. In 1638 a young priest, Father Cyril returned to Prague and discovered the statue with the hands broken off. He cleaned the statue and returned it to the altar. While praying before the statue, he heard the Infant say, “Have pity on me and I will have pity on you. Give my hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor me, the more I will bless you”. As he prayed for the funds to repair the statue, again Fr. Cyril heard the Infant, “Place me near the entrance of the sacristy and you will receive your aid”. A few days later, he received enough donations to repair the hands of the Infant of Prague statue.
Devotion to the Infant Jesus increased and by 1654, a chapel was built to accommodate the faithful pilgrims. In 1655, a solemn coronation and procession was celebrated with the Infant now adorned in a gold crown with jewels. Over many years of war and unrest, the Infant Jesus chapel remained unharmed. Copies of the statue spread throughout Europe to India, the Philippines, Australia and America. In 1993, the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious was returned to the Carmelite Sisters by the Knights of Malta."

Feast Day: 3rd Sunday of May

Materials: Resin
Dimensions: Approx. H 7.6cm