THE DEVOTION HISTORY
Written by Charito Yeh

After the victory of the Counter-Reformation in the Czech lands, Emperor Ferninand II handed the church over to the Order of the Descalced Carmelites. It is consecrated to our Lady Victorious and originally also to St. Anthony of Padua.

The rectory was relocated to the opposite side and a new early Baroque front was built. This reconstruction had meant the introduction of early Baroque in Prague church architecture.

For many years this statue has been enshrined on a side altar of the church. Here the religious sought relief in their bitter need from Him who for love of humankind had become poor. And the prediction of Lady Polyxena was verified. As long as the Divine Infant Jesus was venerated, God showed Himself a kind helper though his Son and the community prospered both spiritually and temporally.

One particular devotee was Father Cyrillus who was most devoted to the Infant Jesus and found sudden relief from interior trials through this devotion.

However, the devotion to the Divine Infant was short-lived. During the Thirty-years war, the Saxons and the Swedes took turns to invade Prague and pillaged both the church and the monastry; the special devotion held before the image was gradually neglected; the prosperity of the community. declined and need and distress was felt; the Carmelites, the other novices, and the most fervent worshipper of the Infant Jesus of Prague had departed; and the veneration to the Holy Child totally and completely ceased.

With the Carmelite Monastry plundered, the image of the Infant Jesus of Prague 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 otherwise undamaged. Here the Divine Infant lay, stayed and forgotten by all for several years.

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