A Child shall Conquer and Reign - The Canonically Crowned images of the Child Jesus in the World
 |
| The mural at the main altar of Bambino Gesu of Arenzano in his Minor Basilica in Italy |
For most of our readers and the faithful, images of the Blessed Virgin Mary are usually the recipients of the honor of Canonical or Episcopal Coronations over the centuries and the consciousness on this pious act have a tremendous resurgence in the recent years, especially in our country, most specifically during the Pontificate of Pope Francis. Now with more access to information and further researches shows that some images of the Child Jesus and St. Joseph were also recipients of the honor of being crowned upon the approval of the Church hierarchy from the petitions of their devotees. For this special blog post, we are going to feature the four (yes, you read it right) Canonically Crowned images of the Child Jesus all over the world and its corresponding devotions here in our country (yes we do have them).
The beginnings of the devotion
The devotion to the Child Jesus is the devotion to the reality of the Incarnation. The fact is that our God did become truly human and entered this world as a baby, having humbled Himself by taking on a human nature, subjecting Himself to all that flesh is heir to (minus the effects of original sin. This is how He chose to begin His saving mission on earth. St. Paul marvels at how Christ "emptied Himself" in the Incarnation, and we who love Him marvel as well. That is why the Church celebrate His Holy Infancy alongside His Death and Resurrection; the former made the latter possible.
 |
| The images of the Holy Infant of Prague in Mendiola, Manila and Matina, Davao del Sur and Santo Bambino de Aracoeli in Maragondon, Cavite |
Many of the saints had a special devotion to the Child Jesus, some even having been blessed by visions of Him as a boy. St. Christopher, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Agnes of Montepulciano, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Rose of Lima, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Pio of Pietrelcina among others that are particularly associated with the Divine Child and many are depicted with the Child Jesus in art. In the icons of Our Lord and Lady during the early years of the Church, the Child Jesus is always represented with His Mother and it is still can be seen in some Catholic shrines and Orthodox Churches in Europe and West Asian countries where the Orthodoxy is prominent. It was St. Francis of Assisi clandestinely initiated the devotion to the Child Jesus when he began to set up a "creche" (more popularly known as the Nativity scene or "Belen" in Filipino). Centuries later, numerous depictions of the Child Jesus outside of Nativity scene were becoming popular with the help of the Carmelite Order, most prominently St. Teresa of Avila and Ven. Fr. Cyril of the Mother of God. Most of these images would portray Him raising His right Hand in a gesture of blessing while His left Hand, He often holds a globus cruciger (symbolizing the world as his dominion), a book, a bird, or grapes (symbolizing the Eucharist) or a cross.
The Divine Child is adored in different countries in different ways: in Italy, He is the "Santo Bambino"; in Spain and its former colonies, He is the "Santo Niño" or "Divino Niño"; to the Germans, He is the "Christkindel." Interestingly, there are particular devotions to the Christ Child due to an apparition or a cult of an image with a reputation to be miraculous, such as is the case with the Infant of Prague (Czech Republic), El Santo Niño de Atocha (Spain and Mexico), the Santo Bambino di Aracoeli (Italy), Holy Infant of Salzburg (Germany), El Divino Niño de Bogota (Bolivia) among others.
The Crowned of images of the Child Jesus
Although the rites of crowning of images are usually reserved to the images of the Blessed Virgin, there have been some instances that the images of the Child Jesus that were given such honor on the account of the special reverence accorded to the image and its miracles and devotion.
Now, without any further ado, here are the following images of the Child Jesus all over the world that were granted the honor of Canonical (Pontifical) Coronation and its corresponding devotion in our country.
 |
| Santo Bambino de Aracoeli |
Coronation date: May 2, 1897
Pontificate: Pope Leo XIII
This statue of the Infant Jesus, dating back to the end of the fifteenth century, is a wood carving made in Jerusalem from an olive tree from Gethsemane by a pious Franciscan Friar. According to tradition, the Friar did not have the necessary paints to complete his work and so it was miraculously completed by an angel. During his return trip to Rome a severe storm on the sea forced him to throw overboard his small case containing the precious treasure, but the case arrived at the port of Livorno by itself in the wake of the ship. Preceded by the fame of unusual miracles, the holy image was received with great joy in the Eternal City and was accorded special veneration. Rich gifts of gold and precious stones give witness to the gratitude of the faithful for the innumerable graces received. The Chapel of the Holy Bambino is continuously visited by pilgrims from all parts of the world. Mothers, before giving birth, visit Aracoeli to receive a special blessing and also bring their children to be consecrated to the Divine Child. The ever-increasing fame of this miraculous image moved Pope Leo XIII and the Vatican Chapter to order its coronation which took place with solemn rites on May 2, 1897.
In the Philippines, the devotion to the Santo Bambino de Aracoeli reached our country when a replica of the Santo Bambino was enshrined at the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Maragondon, Cavite in 1986 and the devotion grew over the years and his feast is celebrated every May 2.
 |
| Bambino Gesu de Arenzano |
Provenance: Minor Basilica of the Child Jesus of Arenzano, Genoa, Italy
Coronation date: February 24, 1924
Pontificate: Pope Pius XI
The image was donated by the Marquise Delphina Gavotti of Savona and was presented to the built shrine on June 2, 1902. It replaced a picture image of the Infant Jesus of Prague brought by the Carmelite Order on September 25, 1900, which was located beneath the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The image is a replica of the Infant Jesus of Prague which was brought by the Carmelite Order who wanted to propagate its devotion in the area. The feast of the image is celebrated each September 1. Various miraculous claims are associated with the image by its pilgrims, now preserved within the basilica. Pope Pius XI granted a Canonical coronation to the venerated image on February 24, 1924 via his Papal legate Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val. The same Pontiff raised the sanctuary to the status of a Minor Basilica on May 6, 1928 through an Apostolic decree signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Gasparri, where the image is permanently enshrined today.
Although there weren't any parishes, chapels or oratories dedicated to the Bambino Gesu of Arenzano yet in the Philippines, some of the Filipino faithful are currently enlisted as members of Pious Association of the Bambino Gesu de Arenzano.
 |
| Holy Infant of Prague |
Provenance: Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious - Shrine of the Child Jesus, Prague, Czech Republic
Coronation date: September 6, 1924
Pontificate: Pope Pius XI
The statue of the Holy Infant of Prague in Czech Republic, said to be modeled by a pious friar, to whom its likeness had been revealed in a vision to him by The Holy Infant and it was once owned by the Pernstein family. The statue of the Holy Infant later became the property of Maria’s daughter Polyxena. Polyxena was married to Duke Wilhelm de Rosenberg, First Lord of the Kingdom, Great Bourgrave of Prague and Knight of the Golden Fleece. In 1629, Polyxena resolved to make the statue of the Holy Infant available to the faithful that it was given to the Carmelite Monastery and the adjoining Church of Virgin Mary the Victorious in Prague. She is said to have stated, “I bring you my dearest possession. Honor the Infant Jesus and you shall never want.” The friars soon acquired a devotion to The Infant Jesus and had recourse to Him in their needs. Many blessings, both material and spiritual, came to the monastery and the friars. During this time, the Thirty Years War was in progress and Prague was under siege several times that the Carmelite friars fled and the statue of The Holy Infant was thrown in a storage area behind the main altar of the Church of Our Lady of Victories by the mercenaries who occupied the monastery. Five years later, in 1635, after the Treaty of Prague, the Carmelites returned to Prague and to their monastery and completely forgot about the statue. In 1637, Venerable Fr. Cyril of the Mother of God found the statue behind the main altar. The hands of the statue had been broken off. It was at this time that the Infant is said to have appeared to Father Cyril and told him, “Have pity on Me, and I will have pity on you. Give Me My hands, and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.” The last sentence has become the centerpiece of world-wide devotion to The Infant Jesus of Prague. Father Cyril, inspired by the Infant’s guidance, spent many futile attempts to raise the money for the repairs required for the statue of The Holy Infant. He eventually found benefactors who paid not only for the restoration of the statue, but for the construction of a chapel expressly intended for its veneration. From that time to the present, devotion to The Divine Infant Jesus of Prague has continued and spread throughout the world and continues to draw pilgrims up to this day. The Holy Infant of Prague was Canonically Crowned on September 6, 1924 during the Pontificate of Pope Pius XI and the coronation rite was conducted by the Vatican Secretary of State, Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val. The image was crowned again by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on September 27, 2009 during his Apostolic Visit in Czech Republic.
The devotion to Infant of Prague was also popular in the Philippines with two notable shrines dedicated to him: the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Mendiola, Manila and the Chapel-Shrine of the Holy Infant of Prague in Matina, Davao del Sur.
Coronation date: September 6, 1924
Pontificate: Pope Pius XI
The statue of the Holy Infant of Prague in Czech Republic, said to be modeled by a pious friar, to whom its likeness had been revealed in a vision to him by The Holy Infant and it was once owned by the Pernstein family. The statue of the Holy Infant later became the property of Maria’s daughter Polyxena. Polyxena was married to Duke Wilhelm de Rosenberg, First Lord of the Kingdom, Great Bourgrave of Prague and Knight of the Golden Fleece. In 1629, Polyxena resolved to make the statue of the Holy Infant available to the faithful that it was given to the Carmelite Monastery and the adjoining Church of Virgin Mary the Victorious in Prague. She is said to have stated, “I bring you my dearest possession. Honor the Infant Jesus and you shall never want.” The friars soon acquired a devotion to The Infant Jesus and had recourse to Him in their needs. Many blessings, both material and spiritual, came to the monastery and the friars. During this time, the Thirty Years War was in progress and Prague was under siege several times that the Carmelite friars fled and the statue of The Holy Infant was thrown in a storage area behind the main altar of the Church of Our Lady of Victories by the mercenaries who occupied the monastery. Five years later, in 1635, after the Treaty of Prague, the Carmelites returned to Prague and to their monastery and completely forgot about the statue. In 1637, Venerable Fr. Cyril of the Mother of God found the statue behind the main altar. The hands of the statue had been broken off. It was at this time that the Infant is said to have appeared to Father Cyril and told him, “Have pity on Me, and I will have pity on you. Give Me My hands, and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.” The last sentence has become the centerpiece of world-wide devotion to The Infant Jesus of Prague. Father Cyril, inspired by the Infant’s guidance, spent many futile attempts to raise the money for the repairs required for the statue of The Holy Infant. He eventually found benefactors who paid not only for the restoration of the statue, but for the construction of a chapel expressly intended for its veneration. From that time to the present, devotion to The Divine Infant Jesus of Prague has continued and spread throughout the world and continues to draw pilgrims up to this day. The Holy Infant of Prague was Canonically Crowned on September 6, 1924 during the Pontificate of Pope Pius XI and the coronation rite was conducted by the Vatican Secretary of State, Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val. The image was crowned again by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on September 27, 2009 during his Apostolic Visit in Czech Republic.
The devotion to Infant of Prague was also popular in the Philippines with two notable shrines dedicated to him: the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Mendiola, Manila and the Chapel-Shrine of the Holy Infant of Prague in Matina, Davao del Sur.
 |
| Santo Niño de Cebu |
Provenance: Minor Basilica of Santo Niño de Cebu, Cebu
Coronation date: April 28, 1965
Pontificate: Pope St. Paul VI
The first religious image in the Philippines was brought by Ferdinand Magellan was given to Humamay, who was later baptized as Reina Juana as a gift along with the images of the Ecce Homo and Virgen Delos Remedios. It is reported that Reina Juana was in tears upon receiving the image. Magellan died on 27 April 1521 in the Battle of Mactan. Legends say that after initial efforts by the natives to destroy it, the image was venerated as one of their pagan deities. 44 years later, the Spaniards returned headed by Miguel López de Legazpi to conquer the islands and on April 28, 1565, Juan Camus, one of Legazpi's soldiers, found the image of the Holy Child in a pina box located in one of the huts in the area and a solemn procession took place and the site of the hut is now the location of the Minor Basilica of Santo Nino de Cebu. Many historians consider the facial structure of the statue made from Flanders, Belgium, where Infant Jesus of Prague statues were also common. Miracles were reported through the Holy Child of Cebu that the devotion was so popular that the devotion was carried over to Manila and other parts of the Philippines. The image was Canonically Crowned on April 28, 1965 on the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of the Kaplag (Rediscovery of the image) and the Quadricentennial of the Christianization in the Philippines on the strength of the Papal Bull "Cunabula Religionis".
The devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu helped sparked the spread of Christianity in the Philippines and replicas of the Santo Niño de Cebu are venerated in Batangas City, Batangas; Malitbog, Southern Leyte; Biñan, Laguna; Intramuros, Manila among others.
On honoring the Child Jesus
The devotion to the Infant Jesus as a child and yet King of Heaven is a wonderful theme to contemplate in prayer. As far back in Old Testament times the prophet Isaiah spoke: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness." [Isaiah11:1-2]. This Child was given to us who "being rich, became poor for your sake. in order that by His poverty you might become rich" [2 Cor 8:9]. Our Eternal Father ordained that His Son, Jesus, should know all life's stages: infancy, childhood, youth, and that He should be like us in everything, except sin.
This kind of honor that is conferred to images of the Child Jesus is one of our ways to recognize the His Kingship over the universe. As God’s beloved Son, our King has direct and immediate access to God. As the Image of the invisible God, Jesus, our King, is the embodiment of Divine Sovereignty. As the firstborn of creation, He is the promise of all the good things that will follow. As risen Lord, He is the Head of the Church and the promise of our own resurrection.
Let us be reminded of the great truth that Christ must be in charge of our lives, that we must give him sovereign power over our bodies, our thoughts, our heart and our will. In every moral decision we face, there’s a choice between Christ the King and Barabbas, and the one who seeks to live in Christ's Kingdom is the one who says, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
References:
Delos Reyes, Michael P. "Salve Regina: On Crowning image of the Virgin Mary", Claret Communications Foundation Inc., Diliman, Quezon City, 2015.
"The Christ Child: Devotions to Jesus' Infancy and Childhood", Retrieved from http://home.earthlink.net/~mysticalrose/infantjesus.html on January 2, 2020.
"Devotion to the Child Jesus", Retrieved from https://www.fisheaters.com/childjesus.html on January 2, 2020.
Ludvík Nĕmec, "The Great and Little One of Prague", Prague, Czech Republic, 1959.
"The Miraculous Bambino Gesu". Italian Slow Walks, 2010.
"Santo Bambino de Aracoeli", Minor Basilica of Santa Maria de Aracoeli, Rome, Italy, 1990.
Special thanks to the owners of the photographs used in this blogpost.
+AM+DG
+AMPSPC+
This kind of honor that is conferred to images of the Child Jesus is one of our ways to recognize the His Kingship over the universe. As God’s beloved Son, our King has direct and immediate access to God. As the Image of the invisible God, Jesus, our King, is the embodiment of Divine Sovereignty. As the firstborn of creation, He is the promise of all the good things that will follow. As risen Lord, He is the Head of the Church and the promise of our own resurrection.
Let us be reminded of the great truth that Christ must be in charge of our lives, that we must give him sovereign power over our bodies, our thoughts, our heart and our will. In every moral decision we face, there’s a choice between Christ the King and Barabbas, and the one who seeks to live in Christ's Kingdom is the one who says, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
References:
Delos Reyes, Michael P. "Salve Regina: On Crowning image of the Virgin Mary", Claret Communications Foundation Inc., Diliman, Quezon City, 2015.
"The Christ Child: Devotions to Jesus' Infancy and Childhood", Retrieved from http://home.earthlink.net/~mysticalrose/infantjesus.html on January 2, 2020.
"Devotion to the Child Jesus", Retrieved from https://www.fisheaters.com/childjesus.html on January 2, 2020.
Ludvík Nĕmec, "The Great and Little One of Prague", Prague, Czech Republic, 1959.
"The Miraculous Bambino Gesu". Italian Slow Walks, 2010.
"Santo Bambino de Aracoeli", Minor Basilica of Santa Maria de Aracoeli, Rome, Italy, 1990.
Special thanks to the owners of the photographs used in this blogpost.
+AM+DG
+AMPSPC+
Comments
Post a Comment