Devotion to the baby Jesus
Main apostles of the devotion to the Child Jesus were: Saint Francis of Assisi creator of the crib, Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Gaetano Thiene, Saint Ignatius, Saint Stanislaus, Saint Veronica Giuliani, the Blessed De Iacobis, Santa Teresa del Bambin Gesù, San Pio who drunk the fortune to contemplate him sensibly or to hold him in his arms. Great impulse came from Sister Margherita of SS. Sacramento (XNUMXth century) and the Venerable Father Cyril, Carmelite, with the famous Child of Prague (XNUMXth century).
In the treasures of the merits of my childhood
you will find my grace abundant.
(Jesus to Sister Margherita).
The more you honor me, the more I will favor you
(Baby Jesus to Father Cyril).
PRAYER TO THE HOLY CHILD
to implore help in the painful circumstances of life
O eternal splendor of the divine Father, sigh and comfort of believers, Holy Child Jesus, of crowned glory, oh! lower your gaze of kindness on all those who turn to you confidently.
Aim how many calamities and bitterness, how many thorns and pains entwine our exile. Have mercy on those who suffer so much down here! Have mercy on those who mourn for some misfortune: on those who languish and groan on a bed of pain: on those who are made a sign of unjust persecution: on families without bread or without peace: finally pity on all those who, in the various trials of life, trusting in you, they implore your divine help, your heavenly blessings.
O Holy Child Jesus, in you only our soul, find true comfort! You can only expect inner tranquility from you, that peace that cheers and comforts.
Turn, O Jesus, upon us your merciful gaze; show us your divine smile; raise your right rescuer; and then, however bitter the tears of this exile may be, they will turn into a consolation dew!
O Holy Child Jesus, comfort every afflicted heart, and give us all the graces we need. So be it.
PRAGUE CHILD JESUS
Father Cyril was the first great propagator of the devotion to the holy Child Jesus who from now on will be called "Prague", precisely for the place from which it originates.
The devotion to the Child Jesus in the Prague convent was born from the faith of Father Giovanni Ludovico dell'Assunta in 1628.
According to the narrator of the chronicler, newly elected prior father Giovanni, "he ordered the sub-prior and master of novices, father Cipriano of Santa Maria, who, to educate the new religious, would procure a beautiful statue or an image representing the son of God in shape childish and placed it in the common oratory, where the friars dedicated themselves to prayer every day, morning and evening; so that, looking at the statue or the image, they were gradually induced to understand the humility of Jesus our Savior ".
The sub-prior found the person who donated the desired statue in Princess Polissena of Lobkowicz. It was a family memory and the princess in 1628, widowed, donated the wax figurine of the Child Jesus to the convent so that it could be properly kept there.
Only a few years later, in 1641, at the request of lay devotees, the statue of the Child Jesus found a place in the church, offered to public veneration.
The faithful flocked to it with simplicity and confidence. It became true what one day the venerable Father Cirillo was heard to say in his heart, while praying in front of the image restored in honor, but still with the signs of the outrage made by the heretics who had cut the hands of the figurine:
“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 favor you. "
Devotion to that image became popular in Prague and began to cross the borders of Czechoslovakia because the Discalced Carmelites promoted it assiduously in each of their churches.
Among all the centers of worship and devotion to the holy Child Jesus of Prague, the sanctuary-basilica of Arenzano (Genoa-Italy) stands out today for the fame and the turnout of the faithful.
THE MEDAL of the BABY JESUS of PRAGUE
It is a "Malta" cross of common size, engraved with the image of the Infant Jesus of Prague, and is blessed. It is very effective against the pitfalls of the devil who tries to harm both souls and bodies.
It draws its effectiveness from the image of the Child Jesus and from the cross. Some gospel words are engraved on it, almost all pronounced by the Divine Master. The initials are read around the figure of the Child Jesus: "VRS" Vade retro, Satan (Vattene, Satan); "RSE" Rex sum ego (I am king); "ART" Adveniat regnum tuum (Thy kingdom come).
But the most effective invocation to keep the devil away and prevent him from doing harm is certainly the name "Jesus".
Other words present are: Verbum caro factum est (And the Word became flesh), which are engraved on the back of the medal, with those around the monogram of Christ that say: Vincit, Regnat, Imperat, nos ab omni malo defendat (Vince , Reigns, Domina, defends us from all evil).
PRAYER TO BABY JESUS of PRAGUE
revealed by Mary Most Holy to VP Cyril of the Discalced Carmelite Mother of God
and first apostle of devotion to the Holy Child of Prague.
O Baby Jesus, I appeal to you, and I pray that through the intercession of your Holy Mother, you will want to assist me in my need (it can be explained), because I firmly believe that your Divinity can help me. I hope so confidently to obtain your holy grace. I love you with all my heart and with all the strength of my soul; I sincerely repent of my sins, and I beg you, good Jesus, to give me the strength to triumph over them. I propose not to offend you anymore, and to you I offer myself willing to suffer everything, instead of giving you the slightest disgust. From now on I want to serve you with all fidelity, and, for your sake, Divine Child, I will love my neighbor as myself. Almighty baby, Lord Jesus, I again beg you, assist me in this circumstance ... Give me the grace to possess you eternally with Mary and Joseph, and to adore you with the holy Angels in the Court of Heaven. So be it.
PRAYER TO BABY JESUS of PRAGUE
for desperate causes
(by Archbishop Janssens of New Orleans)
O very beloved Jesus, who love us tenderly and who form your greatest pleasure in dwelling among us, although I am unworthy of being looked upon by you with love, I also feel drawn to you, because you love to forgive and grant your love.
Many graces and blessings have been obtained from those who have invoked You with confidence, and I, kneeling in spirit before your miraculous Image of Prague, here I lay my heart, with all its questions, its desires, its hopes and especially (exhibit)
I enclose this question in your small, but most merciful Heart. Rule me and dispose of me and my loved ones as your holy will will please, while I know that you do not order anything that is not for our good.
Almighty and lovable Child Jesus, do not abandon us, but bless us, and always protect us. So be it. (Three Glory to the Father).
PRAYER TO THE HOLY CHILD
to implore help in the painful circumstances of life
O eternal splendor of the divine Father, sigh and comfort of believers, Holy Child Jesus, of crowned glory, oh! lower your gaze of kindness on all those who turn to you confidently.
Aim how many calamities and bitterness, how many thorns and pains entwine our exile. Have mercy on those who suffer so much down here! Have mercy on those who mourn for some misfortune: on those who languish and groan on a bed of pain: on those who are made a sign of unjust persecution: on families without bread or without peace: finally pity on all those who, in the various trials of life, trusting in you, they implore your divine help, your heavenly blessings.
O Holy Child Jesus, in you only our soul, find true comfort! You can only expect inner tranquility from you, that peace that cheers and comforts.
Turn, O Jesus, upon us your merciful gaze; show us your divine smile; raise your right rescuer; and then, however bitter the tears of this exile may be, they will turn into a consolation dew!
O Holy Child Jesus, comfort every afflicted heart, and give us all the graces we need. So be it.
PRAYER TO THE CHILD JESUS
(by Father Cirillo, OCD)
O Jesus, who wanted to make you a child, I approach you with confidence.
I believe that your caring love prevents all my needs, and also through the intercession of your holy Mother, you can truly meet all my needs, spiritual and material, if I pray according to your will.
I love you with all my heart and with all the strength of my soul.
I ask you for forgiveness if my weakness leads me to sin.
I repeat with your gospel: Lord, if you want you can heal me.
I leave you to decide how and when.
I am also willing to accept suffering, if this is your will, but help me not to harden in it, making it unsuccessful.
Help me to be a faithful servant, and to love, for your love, divine Child, my neighbor as myself.
Almighty child, I beg you insistently to assist me in this moment, in my present circumstance. Give me the grace to remain in you, to be possessed and to possess you entirely, with your parents, Mary and Joseph, in the eternal praise of your heavenly servants. Amen.
SICK PRAYER
TO THE BABY JESUS
O dear and sweet Baby Jesus, here is a poor sufferer who, supported by the most lively faith, warmly invokes your divine help to remedy his infirmities.
I put all my trust in You. I know that You can do everything, and that you are so merciful, indeed the same infinite mercy.
Big Piccino, for your divine virtue, for the immense love that you bring to the suffering, to the afflicted, to all the needy, listen to me, bless me, help me, console me. Amen.
(Three Glory to the Father)
STUDENT PRAYER
to BABY JESUS of PRAGUE
O Child Jesus, eternal and incarnate Wisdom, who generously dispenses your graces to your sweet image of Prague, and in particular to the studious youth who entrusts themselves to you, deh, turn your gaze benevolently upon me who invoke you to protection of my studies.
You, Man God, are the Lord of science, the source of ingenuity and memory: therefore come to the aid of my weakness. It illuminates my mind, making it easy for me to acquire truth and knowledge; strengthen my memory so that I can retain what I have learned; in difficult moments be you my light, support and comfort.
From your Divine Heart I implore the grace to faithfully fulfill all my duties of study, and to reap the best results, to then have the joy of happy ballots, and especially a good promotion. I promise you, also to deserve the graces invoked, to be faithful in all my Christian duties and to love you more and more.
O sweet Child of Prague, guard me every day under your provident mantle, and guide me above all, as well as in the rise of knowledge, on the way of eternal salvation. So be it.