Infant of Prague Shrine
History of the Infant of Prague Shrine The history of the Infant of Prague shrine devotion began at the beginning of the Sixteenth Century, 1526 to be exact, the Czech Kingdom elected Ferdinand I, of the Hapsburg royal family, king of the Czech nation. The thinking of the Czech nation was with this union they would enjoy the power and prestige associated with being allied to countries ruled by the same royal family. But the question is, What would this bring about in this already Protestant infiltrated nation? Originally coming from the Spanish town of Alcalá de Henares, the new monarch would have an astounding impact on the people. Ferdinand I had spent his formative years in the court of his grandparents Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille, the same two Catholic monarchs freed Spain after a seven hundred year occupation, and financed Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World. Considering the strong influence his grandparents had had on him, it would stand to reason he would bring a strong Catholic influence ( like statues to the Child Jesus ) with him, as well as would the courtiers from the Catholic Court of his native Spain. Carrying on in the family’s tradition, and following in his grandparents’ footsteps, not only would Ferdinand I have a great influence on the shaping of the world at that time, but his brother, Emperor Charles I would be responsible for financing Cortes’ expedition to Mexico, and the initiation of Catholicism in the New World. The next two years were filled with struggle for the little community. The Child Jesus Infant of Prague had blessed them with peace, but they were struggling, barely making ends meet. But they did not stop praying, first in petition and then in thanksgiving. Infant of Prague - Prague Shrine in Czech Republic The Infant of Prague Chapel is located in the Church of Saint Mary Victorious. The city of Prague is located in the center of the Czech Republic which is one of the most secular states in Europe. In spite of this secularism, inside the city is a Church known as Infant of Prague Shrine that is world famous and centuries old. And it is a major Pilgrimage site to this day. I would like to quote Saint Edith Stein. In 1942, although surrounded by horror and devastation, months before she was to die a Martyr in Auschwitz, Edith Stein, (Carmelite Sister Teresa Blessed by the Cross, later canonized Saint Teresa Blessed by the Cross) prophesied the ultimate victory of good over evil: "Jesus, the Child of Prague, eternally bears an imperial crown and it is not by chance that he appeared with the fullness of His Power in Prague. "Prague has been for centuries the seat of the ancient German rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and to this day gives an impression of great majesty. "For isn’t He the Heavenly Ruler, Who will put an end to every suffering? He holds the reins in His Hands even if human beings think they rule by themselves." You will want to put the Infant of Prague Shrine our your Pilgrimage list.
Other places of interest in Prague Saint Vitus Cathedral Prague Castle Saint Charles Bridge - where Saint John Nepumocene was thrown off, by order of the King The Loreto - Replica of the Holy House of Nazareth
More information about the Infant of Prague Shrine and other Shrines to the Child Jesus Devotion to the Infant of Prague spread to all the Carmelite friaries in Italy, right up to and including the friary dedicated to Saint Teresa of Avila in Arenzano.
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