Resin Statue of Infant Jesus of Prague

 The Devotion to the Childhood of Jesus and Infant of Prague's Worship.

The Devotion to the Holy Child Jesus started during late Middle Age. Its origin can be traced back in San Matthew and Luke's Gospels. Child Jesus' Devotion, as contemplation of the Mystery of Incarnation, developped a real Theology of the Holy Child. Earliest Fathers of the Church venerated God's Statue in human form. His Worship was observed by different Saints, among these we remember: Saint Girolamo, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Anthony of Padua. But it was above all in female Monasteries that the Devotion was widespread. This phenomenon can be explained in the first depictions of the Holy Child Jesus in Himself, with no other figures surrounding Him, dated XIV century.  In particular, these depictions were very successful among two women Saints: Saint Therese of Lisieux and Saint teresa of Avila. Both of them, had a little Child Jesus Statue. Both Saints belonged to Carmelite Order. Saint Therese of Lisieux's Infant of Jesus'Worship was so strong that she adopted the name of Saint Therese of Jesus. According a pious legend the Child Jesus' statue of Saint Teresa of Avila was the same image of the Infant of Prague hold in Saint Mary of Victories Church. It is said Infant of Prague veneration was widespread by Saint Teresa of Avila in Spain.