The original statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague was created as a royal wedding gift from a Spanish princess to her Austrian cousin. The cousin then donated it to the Discalced Carmelite Friars. The Carmelites placed it in the oratory of Our Lady of Victory in Prague. Carmelite novices would profess their vow of poverty in the presence on this Infant Statue.
Later, the statue lost its hands and thrown into a pile of rubble during a war. It laid in the ruins for seven years. A Carmelite found it, fixed the hands, and put the statue in a place of honor in the Carmelite Church once again.
In 1673, as Fr. Cyril prayed before the Infant, he was filled with wonder and contemplating the loving God Who became a child for His people. Suddenly, the statue spoke to him:
“Have mercy on Me and I will have mercy on you.
Give Me hands and I will give you peace.
The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.”
Today, devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague still exist. Many miracles have occurred through the intercession of the Divine Infant.
The National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague is a part of the National Shrine of St. Therese in Darien, Illinois. Come and spend time contemplating the loving God with us.