After we crossed the Charles Bridge, we walked for 15 more minutes before we reached the Church of Infant Jesus of Prague. Ang lapit lang actually kaya lang patigil-tigil sa katu-tunganga sa mga souvenir displays.
I wanted to stop for a moment and drink. The crepes were tempting too.
I got tired from walking. Rest muna.
The church is here behind me.
The souvenir store was closed.
After more than 20 years, I am here again.
The Infant Jesus of Prague Church dwarfs in comparison with the size of the cathedrals and grandiosity but one couldn’t help but say wow when you enter its doors. Si Aileen napa-wow.
The church was built between 1611-1613 in renaissance and early Baroque style. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and was used by German speaking Lutherans. After the battle of White Mountain which resulted in the victory of the imperial and catholic side in the Czech lands, Emperor Ferdinand Ii bestowed the church on the Order of the Discalced Carmelites.
The statue of the Prague Infant Jesus was permanently placed in the church in 1641.
By decree of Emperor Joseph II the monastery was dissolved in 1784. The Carmelites were forced to leave and the parish of the Church of Our Lady in Chain was transferred here.
At the request of Prague Archbishop Miroslav Vlk, the Discalced Carmelites returned to the church after 200 years on July 2, 1993.
The tiny image of the Infant Jesus of Prague is at the side altar.
According to sources, this 47 cm tall image of child Jesus came from Spain, made in the 1600s, of wood, covered with wax and fabric. It was brought from Spain by the Duchess Marie Manriquez de Lara who married Vratislav of Pernstein in 1556. Later she gave the statue to her daughter Polyxena of Lobkovitz as a wedding gift. After the death of her husband, she donated it to the monastery of Discalced Carmelites as the church of Our Lady Victorious in 1628.
When I first came here two decades ago, I was the only one inside the church. I thought maybe because there was no mass because it was midday. Now I understand better. Tourists do not normally come here because this church is not actually popular except to Catholic devotees like Filipinos.
We stayed for a while. Took our time admiring the architecture. We also knelt down and prayed. Nasa hotel pa lang ako, I already planned on what I was going to wish for. I would pray for help, help to remove so much anger in my heart. To free me from fear (sobrang nerbyosa and worrier), and meron pang isa akong request, teka nalimutan ko. Pag naalala ko, idagdag ko dito.
There’s a steel gate with alarm that’s why devotees cannot move too close to the altar.
I dropped all my euro coins and some bills in the donation box that’s why I took the liberty of getting about 20 pieces of free stampita. Ipapasalubong ko to devotees. They’re really complimentary pero dapat magdonate kahit papaano to help the church.
The Carmelite Sisters of the Child Jesus have been helping Carmelite brothers with the care of the church and the gracious statue.
