The Infant of Prague Novena
Contents
Show HideAlso referred to as the Infant Jesus Novena. The feast day is January 14 but you can pray this novena any time.
God becoming man is a great mystery. The Catechism teaches that God became man (1) to reconcile us with God, (2) so we would know God’s love, (3) to be a model for us of holiness, and (4) to make us partakers of the divine nature (CCC 457-460). In this novena, we reflect on how the Infant Jesus is a model of holiness in how He embodies the 8 Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).
About the Infant Jesus Novena
While there is a longstanding tradition in the Church of devotion to the Child Jesus, when people think of devotion to the Infant Jesus today, a specific and more recent statue comes to mind. The famous statue of the Infant Jesus, standing upright with a crown on His head and an orb symbolizing kingship in his left hand and his right hand extending a blessing, was brought to Prague at the beginning of the 17th century and is still there. The statue’s origin is not known, but miracles have been reported associated with the statue for those who have venerated the Infant Jesus. Each year, the statue is paraded through the streets of Prague
The Infant of Prague Novena is traditionally prayed during Christmastide. Historically, the feast day coincided with Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus but the calendar has changed over the years. It is often prayed leading up to either January 2nd or January 14th.
The Infant of Prague Novena Prayers
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, You chose to be born into poverty, accepting human flesh as Your own with not even a crib to lay down your head. Teach us to be poor in spirit that the kingdom of heaven may be ours.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, Your birth was surrounded with sorrow as Your generation was slaughtered at the hands of King Herod. Be with us when we mourn, that we may be comforted.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, You chose to be born in the most meek form possible, a human infant. Teach us to be meek, that we may inherit the earth.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, when You hungered and thirst, Your mother nursed You. Teach us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, that we may be satisfied.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, You were born as an infant in poverty, identifying Yourself with those in need of merciful care. Teach us to be merciful, that we may obtain mercy.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, You gave Mary the great gift of being able to see God when she held her infant boy. Purify our hearts like Mary’s, that we too may see God.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, Your birth brought together the wealthy and poor, the learned and the ignorant, Gentiles and Jews. Teach us to be peacemakers, that we may be called children of God.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, You were pursued by those who wanted to end Your life from the time of Your birth. Help us persevere during times when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, that the kingdom of heaven may be ours.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Infant of Prague Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus, it is with humility that I come before You in Your infancy; infants are known for being so small and helpless, yet it is I who am small and helpless. Therefore, I humbly place my petitions before you:
(State Your Intention)
Infant Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, may we not take your humanity, the Incarnation of God, for granted. Help us to have a deeper and more profound understanding of what you did for us by becoming one of us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Infant Jesus is Patron of...
The Infant Jesus is the patron of schools, vocations, students, foreign missions, health, children, colleges, family life, freedom, finances, peace, travelers, and universities.
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