St. Fulgentius

St. Fulgentius – January 2nd

St. Fulgentius was born of a noble family in Carthage. When he was very young, he was appointed an important officer of the Roman province of Carthage. Fulgentius was not satisfied, for his heart was full of spiritual desires. He decided to become a religious, and in the monastery he entered, he found great peace of mind and heart. Fulgentius was ordained a priest and later became a bishop.

He strongly corrected the heretics of his day with his books and letters. For this reason he was persecuted and exiled to distant lands.

After a life of loving service of God, Fulgentius fell very ill. He gave away all he had to the poor, forgave those who had persecuted him, and died a humble servant of Jesus.

Let us always study our lessons well so that we will know more about our faith, and be able to tell others about Jesus.

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus - Sunday Occurring Between January 1 And 6 Otherwise On January 2 -

The Church reveals to us the wonders of the Incarnate Word by singing the glories of His name.

Among the Jews a child was named when he was circumcised, and for this reason the Church repeats to-day the Gospel appointed for the feast of the Circumcision giving particular emphasis to the final sentence: “His name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” *The name of Jesus means Savoiur and “there is no other name under heaven,” says St. Peter, “given to men, whereby we must be saved” (Epistle). “In the name of Jesus,” says St. Bernard, “the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear.” This name of Jesus, “a remedy for our souls, sweet to the lips like honey, tuneful to the ear, gladness to the heart,” should be often on our lips here below if we desire to have the joy of seeing our names written in heaven under His glorious Name (Postcommunion).

The origin of this feast goes back to the sixteenth century when it was already celebrated by the Franciscan Order. In 1721 Innocent XIII extended its observance to the whole world. Bd. Pius X fixed it at the present date.

There is an indulgence of 300 days for the pious invocation of the Holy Name of Jesus or Mary; plenary once a month for daily recitation under the usual conditions; plenary also at the moment of death under the usual conditions, for the invocation with the lips, or at least in the heart, with an act of acceptance of death as a punishment for sin.

* The angel of the Lord being sent by God to Mary, told her: “Thou shalt bring forth a Son and thou shalt call His name Jesus.” (St. Luke, 1. 31). Again: “Behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in his sleep, saying: “Joseph, Mary thy wife shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call His name Jesus” (St. Matt. 1. 20-21).

The Infant Jesus of Prague

The Infant Jesus of Prague



O Infant Jesus,


Have Mercy on Us!


The More You Honor Me, The More I Will Bless You


Feast Day: Replaces the Feast of the Holy Name, Sunday occurring between January 1 and 6 otherwise on January 2


Devotion to The Infant Jesus of Prague


DEVOTION TO THE Infant Jesus of Prague is devotion to the Child Jesus. It is veneration of the Son of God, Who in the form of an infant chose a stable for a palace, a manger for a cradle and shepherds for worshippers. Our Savior grants special graces to all who venerate His Sacred Infancy. The image of the Child Jesus known as the “Infant Jesus of Prague” was in reality of Spanish origin. In the 17th century, this beautiful statue was brought to Bohemia by a Spanish princess whose mother had given it to her as a wedding gift. This noble lady, in turn, presented the image to her daughter. When the latter’s husband died in 1623, she resolved to spend the remainder of her days in works of piety and charity. She was particularly generous to the Carmelite priests and brothers of Prague who, after Emperor Ferdinand II, their founder, had removed his residence to Vienna, fell into such utter destitution that at times they had scarcely enough to eat. Accordingly, she presented her beloved statue to the religious with these prophetic words: “I hereby give you what I prize most highly in this world. As long as you venerate this image, you will not be in want.” Her prediction was verified. As long as the Divine Infant was venerated, God showed Himself as a kind helper through His Son, and the community prospered both spiritually and temporally. But when the devotion to the Infant was relaxed, God’s blessing seemed to depart from the house. For many years this statue has been enshrined on a side altar in the Church of Our Lady of Victory in the city of Prague. It is of wax and is about nineteen inches high. It is clothed in a royal mantle and has a beautiful jeweled crown on its head. Its right hand is raised in blessing; its left holds a globe, signifying sovereignty. So many graces have been received by those who invoke the Divine Child before the original statue that it has been called “The Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague.” We read the following in an old book printed in Kempt: “All who approach the miraculous statue and pray there with confidence receive assistance in danger, consolation in sorrows, aid in poverty, comfort in anxiety, light in spiritual darkness, streams of grace in dryness of soul, health in sickness and hope in despair.” In thanksgiving for the numerous graces and cures received, the miraculous statue at Prague was solemnly crowned on the Sunday after Easter, in 1665. What is said of the original statue may be applied also to images of the “Little King” which are venerated the world over. From small beginnings, this devotion has grown to great proportions. The Divine Child attracts an ever-increasing number of clients, who appeal to Him in every need.



POWERFUL NOVENA TO THE INFANT JESUS


For Cases of Urgent Need
(In cases of great urgency, a novena of nine hours may be made instead of nine days. The prayers should, if possible, be repeated at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours.)


O JESUS, Who hast said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be open unto you,” through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.
(Mention your request)


O JESUS, Who hast said, “All that you ask of the Father in My Name He will grant you,” through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy Name that my prayer will be granted.
(Mention your request)


O JESUS, Who hast said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away,” through the intercession of Mary, Thy most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.
(Mention your request)


Prayer of Thanksgiving for Graces Received from the Infant Jesus


I prostrate myself before Thy holy image, O most gracious Infant Jesus, to offer Thee my most fervent thanks for the blessings Thou hast bestowed upon me. I shall incessantly praise Thine ineffable mercy and confess that Thou alone art my God, my helper and my protector. Henceforth my entire confidence shall be placed in Thee! Everywhere I shall proclaim aloud Thy mercy and generosity, so that Thy great love and the great deeds which Thou dost perform through this miraculous image may be acknowledged by all. May devotion to Thy holy infancy increase more and more in the hearts of all Christians, and may all who experience Thine assistance preserve with me in showing unceasing gratitude to Thy most holy infancy, to which be praise and glory forever. Amen.



You may also find the little novena above and a rosary novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague at: http://thesaintsprayers.blogspot.com/2007/10/devotion-to-infant-jesus-of-prague.html