The Holy Infant of Prague of Davao - The Cherished King of Davao

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The Holy Infant of Prague of Davao
In the a booming province of Davao were we are slowly seeing its further development before our very own eyes, there was also a popular shrine in the Matina, Davao del Sur were pilgrims from Mindanao and other parts of the country visit - the beautiful sanctuary dedicated to the miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague.

This image have been the subject of Davaoenos veneration for 50 years since its arrival and the Child Jesus won the hearts of his devotees due to the numerous miracles that were attributed through his help.

The image

The image of the Infant of Prague of Davao is an exact replica of the Infant of Prague venerated in the Carmelite Monastery and Shrine of Our Lady of Victories in Prague, Czech Republic. Arguably, this particular image of the Child Jesus was the most popular image of the Child Jesus all over the world. The image was done in a detallado style where the image was carved with his seamless robe and at the same time, the image is vested with numerous vestments that were given by his devotees over the centuries from different Kings and Queens, noble families and his devotees from Prague and other parts of the world. The image presents a crowned Child Jesus standing upright, his right hand is in a gesture of blessing while the other was holding a globus cruciger - a symbol of his Kingship.

The original image of the Infant of Prague in
Czech Republic
Origin of the devotion

The origins of the devotion was said can be traced to St. Teresa of Avila were she is known to bring images of the Child Jesus to the convents that she established all over Spain. It is said that one of these images was given to Dona Isabella Manrique, one of the most prominent noble women in Spain during that time. When Dona Isablla's daughter, Duchess Maria Maximiliana Manrique de Lara married a Czech nobleman Vratislav of Pernstein in 1556, she revived this precious family heirloom as a wedding gift and brought this image with her to Prague. The noble lady in turn gave this as her wedding present to Lady Polyxena of Lobkovice when she got married in 1587. When her husband died, she gave the image to the Carmelites Priests and brothers of Prague in 1623 with these prophetic words: "I hereby give you what I prize the most in this world. As long as you venerate this image, you will not be in want."

The words of Lady Polyxena came true when numerous miracles were reported through the help of the miraculous Infant of Prague over the centuries and it was further propagated through the help of Venerable Cyril OCD where he helped on repairing the image when the image was sacrilegiously restored by the Swedish soldiers who attacked Prague. It was Fr. Cyril who received this famous promise made by the Child Jesus to those who will honor Him though the devotion to his Divine Childhood: "The more you honor me, I will bless you." True enough, this promise of Our Lord holds true up to this day when more miracles were attributed to his help that in 1924, the image received in 1924.

The arrival in the Philippines

The shrine of the Infant of Prague in Matina, Davao, some four kilometers away from Davao City was built by the Santos Family in 1968 on their property, four and a half hectares of grassy lawns and shady firt trees. In this restful oasis, novenas to the Infant of Prague of Davao was held every Saturday and Sunday from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon. The image was a faithful replica from Prague, Czech Republic by the matriarch of the clan, Dona Catherina Santos.

The devotion

Since the arrival of the image to Matina, devotees increased in numbers and the fame of the Infant became known far and wide. Pilgrims began to flock the shrine in search of a haven and a refuge to the Holy Child and he did not disappoint. As reported miracles began to spread, more pilgrims visit him and the people cherished the Holy Infant so much that devotees began offering him vestments and other ex votos as gifts to the Child Jesus.

The feast of the Infant of Davao is every January 15, the anniversary of the arrival of the image to Matina and on his feast day, thousands of devotees make it a point to celebrate his feast day as a fulfillment of their vows due to the favors granted through his intercession. Through this devotion to the Child Jesus, we've learned much about the importance of the "state of infancy" and the child-like qualities that one needs to adopt in order to enter into God's Kingdom.

O Infant Jesus of Prague of Davao, Have mercy on us!


References:

Abe, Florendo, (2001), "Santo Niño: the Holy Child devotion in the Philippines", Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus, Manila.
Faroni, Adolf, SDB (2007), "The Santo Nino of Prague", Don Bosco Press, Makati City.
"Infant of Prague" (2016), Shrine of Infant of Jesus of Prague, Matina


Specail Thanks to Lawrence Vidanes for the photos of the Infant of Prague of Matina.

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