The History of the Chaplet of the Infant Jesus of Prague and How to Pray It
This devotion owes its origin to the fervour of Venerable Sister Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament, a Carmelite nun who died in the odour of sanctity in Beaune, France, on May 26, 1648, at the age of 27.
The divine Child appeared to her, and this holy devotion was very dear to Him. He promised to grant special graces, and above all purity of heart and innocence, to all who carried the holy chaplet and prayed it in honour of the mysteries of His holy Childhood. As a sign of His approval, He showed her these holy beads shining with a supernatural light.
On the holy medal the following invocation appeared: “Divine Infant Jesus, I adore Your Cross and I accept the crosses You send me. Adorable Trinity, I offer You, for the glory of God’s holy name, all the adoration of the Sacred Heart of the divine Infant Jesus.”
How to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Infant Jesus
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.
First, say the invocation: Divine Infant Jesus, I unite myself with the devout shepherds who adored You in the manger, and with the angels of heaven who glorify You unceasingly.
Divine Infant Jesus, I adore Your Cross and I accept all the crosses You send me. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Adorable Trinity, I offer You all the adoration of the Sacred Heart of the Infant Jesus, and all the praises of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and of the heart of Saint Joseph. Amen.
Second, say: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. (3 times)
Our Father… in honour of the Holy Family.
Third: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. (once)
12 Hail Marys
(in honour of the 12 years of the childhood of the divine Saviour)
Fourth, say: Divine Infant Jesus, bless us and keep us.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: I thank You, divine Infant Jesus, for the many graces and virtues You have given me with so much love. I must never stop glorifying Your mercy and Your love and making You known to everyone I meet. I adore You because You are the beloved of Your Father and the only way to Him. I thank You for making Yourself my model and my example; You have given examples of the highest perfection. Draw me to You, so that by following in Your footsteps and denying myself I may seek only Your will; increase in me the hope and desire to be like You in glory and to reign with You for ever in heaven. Amen.
Prayer for Perseverance: Beloved Jesus, divine Infant, “Infant of Prague”, mediator between God and man, You who fulfilled Your mission in three roles: God and Teacher, that is, the Truth; King and Model, that is, the Way; Priest and Victim, that is, the Life, live in our souls and keep us always in a state of grace.
Prayer of One in Sorrow and Distress: Jesus, divine Infant, we adore You, the Word made flesh, sent by the Father to teach us the truths of life. You chose to be born in a lowly stable. You lived a humble and hidden life for us, and died on the Cross shedding the last drop of Your precious Blood, saying with Your last breath: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Ashamed and confused, I ask Your forgiveness for having caused You so much sorrow. I am not worthy for You to listen to me, but if You do not help me, to whom shall I turn for help?
Beloved Infant Jesus, full of trust and hope, I open my heart to You. You have answered the prayers of faith of all who believed and turned to You with confidence; and so I ask for Your help (mention your request).
But not my will, Lord, but Yours be done, and I firmly believe that You work all things for the best.
Infant Jesus, through the intercession of our beloved Mother, the Virgin Mary, keep me under Your holy protection. Guard my mind, my heart and my senses, so that I may not be stained by sin.
Bless my thoughts and desires, my words and actions, so that I may please You, O Jesus, and gain heaven with You. Jesus, and Mary my Mother, bless me (bow your head). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers for a Happy Death: O Child Jesus, my God, my Creator and my Saviour, I accept with all my heart the hour of my death according to Your will, in a spirit of worship.
I intend to die as a faithful child of the Church and to enter eternity with the best dispositions of faith, hope, love and sorrow for my sins.
I hope always to renew my baptismal vows and my religious promises.
I offer You, my God, all the circumstances, even the most painful, that will accompany me into eternity, in reparation for my sins and to merit heaven.
I call upon the saints that I may die a good death.
O crucified Jesus, I intend to say the words: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Holy Mary, our Lady, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Saint Joseph, obtain for me a holy life, that I may merit a death like yours.
O suffering Jesus, sorrowful Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, I ask you for these graces: – a good life, faithfully keeping the commandments and all the duties of my state in life, which will assure me a holy death, for on this my eternity depends; – the grace to receive the sacrament of Penance in case of serious illness, the grace to receive the Anointing of the Sick and the grace to be anointed before my death, as well as the grace of perfect contrition; – faithfulness to my vocation, according to the graces I have received, so that my life may be as fruitful as possible, for the glory of God and my eternal happiness; – daily prayer, which everyone needs in order to be saved, and above all the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in You. Lord Jesus Christ, I trust in You. Lord Jesus Christ, I love You. Lord Jesus Christ, I beg Your mercy. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with your help.
