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Prayer to Infant Jesus of Prague
Fairest Child of fairest mother, God the Lord, who came to earth, Word made Flesh, our very brother, takes our
nature by His birth.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come to my aid, O God. O Lord, make haste to help us.
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking, "Where
is the child who has been born king of the Jews?"... When they had heard King Herod they set out; and there,
ahead of them, went the star they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child
with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage." (Matthew 2)
Lord, Jesus Christ, by the light of a wonderful star you called shepherds and wise men to your crib, and
with a child's embrace you give heart and hand to all. I come poor as the shepherds, and seek wisdom like the wise
men. By your gracious love please grant my request...
... That the faith, courage and holiness of the people of St. Leo be strengthened and defended; that a prayerful
and holy working relationship between Bishop Campbell, our Diocese and people of St. Leo be achieved; that Jesus
return to the tabernacle of St. Leo; and that many come to know of His Incarnation and Salvation through His presence
at St. Leo Church. We ask that these buildings give greater honor and glory to Jesus in the Trinity.
Once you said I must become like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Grant me childlike trust in my heavenly
Father who provides for me at every turn. Renew my spirit with a youthful joy and bless the world you hold tenderly
in your hand.
Day 1 -- Lord Jesus Christ, You were born in a poor stable yet were surrounded by God's loving care. Help me
believe in God's care for me, no matter how poor I may feel.
Day 2 -- Lord Jesus Christ, You were nourished by Mary's love and guarded by Joseph's concern. May I see in those
around me the signs of your heavenly care.
Day 3 -- O God, who makes the sun shine on the just and the unjust, give justice to those to whom it has been denied.
Help those who suffer unjustly, especially those most wronged.
Day 4 -- O God, remember our cities and our country; they need fresh grace from You. Renew our homes and families,
our neighborhoods and our government with a vision of your kingdom.
Day 5 -- O God, You raise saints to refresh your people and touch our minds and hearts. Give us saints today to
inspire us, and holy people to do your work.
Day 6 -- O God, You look on the poor with love and care for the brokenhearted. Help those who have nothing and
heal those who are sick.
Day 7 -- O God, You promised to be with us always and founded your church on rock. Make your church strong and
holy; give us shepherds after your own heart.
Day 8 -- O God, You reward a cup of cold water give to someone in need. Help me respond, however I can, to my brothers
and sisters in trouble.
Day 9 -- O God, call us back to You for then we shall be safe. Keep us close to you, O Lord, for only then do we
live.
To conclude this novena, say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
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Devotion to the Infant Christ, a Christian devotion encouraged by the gospel
stories of Jesus's birth, took a special form in the 17th centurey when a state of the Christ Child became the
object of honor in the city of Prague. The Infant, holding a globe of the world in His left hand and His right
hand extended in blessing was enthroned in the Church of Our Lady of Victories in 1628. From there, devotion to
the Infant of Prague spread throughout the Christian world. Honoring the Infant, we honor the "wonder of the
Incarnation". Jesus Christ, a tiny child dwelling among His people, fulfills God's promise to dweill with
us simply and familiarly, and blesses our world as well as the humble circumstances of our individual lives.
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