Hi,

Is it true that the Infant of Prague helps those in financial need?

Someone told me that long time ago. I don't want to sound superstitious but I had received an Infant of Prague statue and had it blessed and put in my altar home but one of my kids literally broke his head off and since that very day our finances have declined considerably. (My husband injured his back, his work hours got less and less, and we are surviving with basically half from what it used to be)

Now I am starting to think it would be a good idea to pray a novena to the Infant of Prague to help us get out of our precarious financial situation.

Anyone has experience with this devotion?

History of the Infant of Prague

 As previously mentioned, the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague was brought to Bohemia by a Spanish princess, whose mother had given it to her as a wedding gift. This noble lady, in turn, presented the cherished image to her daughter, When the latter's husband died, in 1623, she resolved to spend the remainder of her days in works of piety and charity.

 She was particularly generous to the Carmelites of Prague, who, after Emperor Ferdinand II, their founder, had removed his residence to Vienna, fell into such utter destitution that, at times they had scarcely enough to eat. Accordingly, she presented her beloved statue to the religious with these prophetic words:

 "I hereby give you what I prize most highly, in this world. As long as you venerate this image you will not be in want."

 Her prediction was verified. As long as the Divine, Infant was venerated, God showed Himself a kind Helper, through His Son, and the community prospered both spiritually and temporally. But when the devotion to the Infant Jesus was relaxed, God's blessing seemed to depart from the house.

 The statue was set up in the oratory of the monastery, and twice a day special devotions were performed before it. Here the religious sought relief in their bitter need from Him who for love of mankind had become poor.

 The novices were particularly devoted to the Holy Infant. One of them, Cyrillus a Matre Dei, The novices were particularly devoted to the Holy Infant. One of them, Cyrillus a Matre Dei, who was most devoted to the Holy Infant, found sudden relief from interior trials through this devotion.

Forgotten

 However, the devotion to the Divine Infant was short-lived. On account of the disturbances of the Thirty Years' War, the novitiate was removed to Munich, Germany, in 1630. With Brother Cyrillus and the other novices, the most fervent worshipers of the Infant of Prague had departed. The special devotions held before the image were gradually neglected. The prosperity of the community declined, and need and distress were again felt.

 Then King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, the inveterate foe of Catholicism, invaded Germany. Many fled from Prague, among them all but two of the members of the Carmelite monastery.

 On November 15, 1631, over eighty Protestant preachers took possession of the churches of the city. The Carmelite monastery was plundered, and the "Popish superstition", as the Protestants called the image, was thrown upon a heap of rubbish behind the high altar. Both hands were broken off by the fall, but, though made of wax, it was not otherwise damaged. Here the Miraculous Infant lay for seven years, forgotten by all.

 When the Carmelites returned to Prague, the miraculous image was entirely forgotten in the continual struggle for the means of subsistence. Want and misfortune were the lot of the community as long as this neglect lasted. A novice happened to find the image one day, but without any consideration cast it aside. .strange to say, a remarkable change came over him. Though he had been promising in every respect, he now showed such signs of a want of vocation that he was dismissed.

 As long as the miraculous statue remained neglected, a peculiar misfortune rested on the monastery. This state lasted seven years.

Found

On the feast of Pentecost, 1637, Father Cyrillus a Matre Dei, the very one who, while a novice, had been delivered from a most annoying dryness of soul through his fervent devotion to the Holy Infant, returned to Prague. Unfortunately, Prague was again overrun by the Protestant armies. The distress was indescribable. In this extremity the prior assembled the community to offer humble prayers to appease God's wrath.

 Father Cyrillus now remembered the favors formerly received through the Infant of Prague, and with the prior's consent searched every nook and corner of the monastery until he found the long-lost treasure, almost buried in dust. Full of joy and gratitude, he covered the disfigured statue with tears and kisses and then placed it on an altar in the oratory. The long-forgotten devotions were now revived with renewed vigor. The religious disclosed their needs to the divine infant, and with Him they found strength and consolation.

Veneration Revived


As in former years, Father Cyrillus was the most zealous disciple of the Holy Infant. One day, when praying before the statue, he distinctly heard these words,


"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 bless you."

 Father Cyrillus was awestruck at these words, for he had not noticed that the hands of the Divine Infant were missing, owing to the mantle in which the figure was clad. Hastening to the prior he begged him to have the image repaired. But the prior considered the community too poor to incur this seemingly needless expense.

 Then Father Cyrillus, through the Blessed Virgin, begged the Heavenly Father to send sufficient alms to have the statue repaired. His confidence was rewarded. Three days later, he was called to the sickbed of a wealthy man, to whom he related the history of the remarkable statue. The sick man at once gave a generous sum of money for the purpose of having it repaired.


The prior, however, decided to buy an entirely new statue. But the Divine Infant soon manifested His displeasure. Scarcely had the new statue been put in place when it was shattered by a falling candlestick. The old and mutilated image was destined to continue as an object of veneration in the monastery. The prior grew restless and resigned his office. This was generally considered as a punishment inflicted by the Divine Infant.

 The prior's successor, Father Dominic of Saint Nicholas, owing to lack of funds found it impossible to fulfill the wish of Father Cyrillus. Again the disappointed .Father Cyrillus, through the Mother of God, begged the Divine Infant to send his superiors the necessary funds to repair the image.

 One day a woman gave him a large sum of money. When he wished to thank her, she had disappeared; no one had seen her come or go. The happy friar then knelt before the alter of Our Lady of The Holy Scapular and offered gratitude to heaven.


The prior, however, assigned to him only a very small part of the sum for the repairing of the statue. This proved to be insufficient, and Father Cyrillus found himself as far as ever from attaining his object. Once more he took his troubles to the Divine Infant and shed many a tear of sorrow before the beloved image. On one of these occasions he heard these words:


"Place Me near the entrance of the sacristy and you will receive aid."

 He did so and returned to his room, filled with new hope, recommending all to his dear Heavenly Mother. Soon a stranger came to the sacristy, who offered to have the little image repaired at his own expense. The prior gladly accepted his offer, and in a few days the repaired statue was exposed for veneration in the church. The Infant Jesus richly repaid the stranger for this good deed.

 Meanwhile, new afflictions visited the community. A pestilence broke out in the city. The prior, too, became dangerously ill. When his attention was call to the Divine Infant, he vowed to say Holy Mass before the image for nine successive days, if he recovered. He at once felt relief and in a few days was completely restored to health. He fulfilled the vow, and from that time forward fervently promoted veneration of the Miraculous Infant.

 Some time later there again was great need in the monastery. The prior then ordered prayers to the Divine Infant, in which all the members of the community took part. After three days, a generous donation was given to them unexpectedly. The statue of the holy Infant was then removed to the church so that the people could also venerate the miraculous image.

 In 1641, a lady donated a large sum of money to the monastery, expressing the desire that an altar be erected to the Most Holy Trinity. This was done, and the miraculous image was placed in a magnificent gold-plated tabernacle for public veneration.

 Its many benefactors, who donated various adornments for the shrine, were abundantly blessed; but persons who treated the miraculous image unworthily were severely punished, and usually without delay.

 In 1642, a noble lady had an elegant chapel built for the Divine Infant. This chapel was dedicated on the feast of the Holy Name in 1644, and Holy Mass was then celebrated in it for the first time. The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus thus became the principal feast of the Miraculous Infant of Prague.

 Devotion to the holy Infant has continued to spread throughout the world. Amazing favors are continually reported.

http://www.infantofpragueprayforus.org/history.html

How to pray the Chaplet of the Infant Jesus of Prague

The chaplet to the Infant Jesus of Prague has 15 beads. It consist of prayer 3 Our Father... in honour of the Holy Family and 12 Hail Mary... in memory of the 12 years of the Infancy of our Divine Saviour.

Starting at the medal of the Infant Jesus, say,

"Divine Infant Jesus,
I adore Thy Cross
and I accept all the cross
Thou wilt be pleased to send me.
Adorable Trinity,
I offer Thee
for the glory of Thy Holy Name of God,
all the adorations of the Sacred Heart
of the Holy Infant Jesus."

Before each Our Father and Hail Mary, say the following prayer:

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us."

At the end of the Chaplet, say,

"Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us."


http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/chaplets/chap14.htm

O Divine Child of Prague,
and still the great omnipotent God,
I implore through thy Most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession
and through the boundless mercy of Thy omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to the intention I so earnestly ask.
O Divine Child of Prague,
hear my prayer and grant my petition.

http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english3/p02437.htm

Little Infant of Jesus of good Health,
God of Love, born to suffer for me!
In You above all do I find the courage and strength I need
in the trials and troubles that weight so heavily upon me.  

By the Sorrows of Your Most Holy Mother,
I implore You to lighten the burdens of my soul
with Your holy consolations
and to relieve my bodily infirmities
with Your Merciful Kindness,
if it so pleases the will of our Father in Heaven.

Amen.


http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english3/p02210.htm

Interesting story. Is there any connection between the Infant of Prague and the Knights of Saint John?

LITANY OF THE INFANT JESUS
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy,

Christ, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy,

Lord have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.

Infant Jesus, hear us,
Infant Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven,
Graciously hear us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Graciously hear us.

God the Holy Ghost,
Graciously hear us.

Holy Trinity, One God,
Graciously hear us.

Infant Jesus,
Graciously hear us.

Infant, very God,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Son of the Living God,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, begotten before the morning star,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Word made flesh,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Wisdom of your Father,
Have mercy on us.


Infant, Purity of your mother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, only Son of your Father,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, First-Born of you mother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Image of your Father,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Creator of your mother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Splendor of your Father,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Honor of your mother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, equal to your Father,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, subject to your mother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Joy of your Father,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Riches of your mother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Gift of your Father,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Offering of your mother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, precious fruit of a virgin,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Creator of man,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Power of God,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Power of God,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, our God,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, our Brother,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, perfect Man from your conception,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, ancient in wisdom from your childhood,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Father of ages,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, of days,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, giving life, and nourished at the breast,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Eternal Word, and making yourself dumb,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, weeping in the crib,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, thundering in heaven,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, terror of hell,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Joy of Paradise,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, dreaded by tyrants,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, desired by the Magi,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, exiled from your people,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, King in exile,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Destroyer of idols,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Vindicator of the glory of God,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, strong in weakness,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, powerful in abasement,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Treasure of Grace,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Fountain of Love,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Author of the blessings of heaven,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Repairer of the evils of earth,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Head of the angels,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Stem of the patriarchs,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Word of the prophets,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Expectation of nations,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Joy of the shepherds,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Light of the Magi,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Salvation of children,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Hope of the just,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, Teacher of doctors,
Have mercy on us.

Infant, First-fruits of the saints,
Be merciful,

From the bondage of the children of Adam,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the slavery of the devil,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the corruption of the world,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the lust of the flesh,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the pride of life,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the immoderate desire of knowledge,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the blindness fo mind,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the perversity of will,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From our sins,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most pure conception,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most humble birth,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.s.

Through your tears,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most painful circuмcision,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most glorious epiphany,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most devout presentation,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most innocent conversation in the world,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most holy life,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your poverty,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your sorrows,
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your labors and travails.
Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Infant Jesus,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Infant Jesus.

Infant Jesus, hear us,
Infant Jesus, graciously hear us.

LET US PRAY

O Lord Jesus,
who allowed the greatness of your incarnate Divinity
and most sacred humanity to be born in time,
to become a little child,
and to suffer bitter death,
grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom
in the silence of a child,
power in weakness,
majesty in abasement,
so that adoring your humility
and littleness on earth
we may contemplate your glories in heaven.
We ask this of you,
who, with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns God,
forever and ever.

Amen.


http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/litanies/p03488.htm

Bumping for the OP.

I've never offered any devotions to the Holy Infant of Prague, until a month ago, and it was someone else who led the devotion - not my idea.  Very quickly, a difficult financial situation, which had persisted for quite a while, was immediately resolved.  The circuмstances were amazing, and I attribute it all to this devotion.  

Below are the prayers we used.
One can offer this once every hour for nine consecutive hours, or in the usual novena fashion (our family offered it at our church which has a statue of the Holy Infant).

Novena Prayer

O Jesus, Who has said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted. (Make your request)

O Jesus, Who has said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary Thy Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy name that my prayer will be granted. (Make your request)

O Jesus, Who has said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass away," through the intercession of Mary Thy Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted. (Make your request)

Prayer

O Divine Child of Prague, and still the great omnipotent God, I implore through Thy most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession and through the boundless mercy of Thy omnipotence as God, for a favorable answer to the intention I so earnestly ask for in this Novena.

O Divine Child of Prague, hear my prayer and grant my petition. (say three times)
Add Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. (said once)

Prayer of Thanksgiving

I prostrate myself before Thy holy image, O most gracious Infant Jesus, to offer my most fervent thanks for the blessings Thou hast bestowed on me.
I shall incessantly praise Thy ineffable mercy and confess that Thou alone are my God, my helper, and my protector. Henceforth my entire confidence shall
be placed in Thee! Everywhere I will proclaim aloud Thy mercy and generosity, so that Thy great love and the great deeds which Thou perform through this
miraculous image may be acknowledged by all. May devotion to Thy holy infancy increase more and more in the hearts of all Christians, and may all who
experience Thy assistance persevere with me in showing unceasing gratitude to Thy most holy infancy, to which be praise and glory forever.
Amen.