Day: December 24, 2023

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

“The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.”

Infant Jesus, Physician of the Sick:
In the month of July, 1639, Countess Elizabeth Kolowrat, nee Baroness von Lobkowitz, fell dangerously ill at Prague.
Her sufferings became daily more intense and finally she entirely lost her hearing and speech. Physicians declared her case hopeless and death seemed imminent. But her husband, a devout worshiper of the Divine Infant, begged Father Cyrillus to bring the blessed Statue to the bedside
of his dying wife. The Priest held the Statue before the agonising woman, who, unable to utter a word, kissed it rever-ently and, in her heart promised to show her gratitude publicly if she would obtain relief. After blessing the sick woman Father Cyrlllus returned to the Monastery,
leaving the Statue at her bedside.
A few moments after his departure the Countess suddenly revived, her speech and hearing were restored, and in a few days her health had been completely regained. The happy and grateful lady was not unmindful of her promise to the Divine Infant. She presented Him with a golden crown, which, even to this present day, adorns the statue. Her husband, on his part, became a generous benefactor of the Carmelites throughout his life, and after his death left to the merciful Deliverer of his wife a silver lamp and a valuable shrine.
Soon after her recovery the Countess wished to accompany her husband to his country seat but the horses would not move from the spot. Finally
she recalled that the Statue of the Holy Infant was still in her house. Only after she had sent the image back to the Monastery, could they proceed.

The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for:
vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.

The Ninth Day

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
   for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
   the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
   Glory be to the Father, etc.
2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
   and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
   the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
   in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
   I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
   when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
   when the Saviour of the world was born.
   Glory be to the Father, etc.
3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
   and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
   the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
   the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
   the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
   Glory be to the Father, etc.
4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
   and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
   the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
   when He submitted to circumcision.
   I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
   for the first time He shed for the salvation
   of the whole humanrace.
   Glory be to the Father, etc.
5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
   and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
   the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
   all the virtues of the Child Jesus
   and I thank Thee and I love Thee
   and I bless Thee without end,
   for the ineffable Mystery of
   the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
   Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/