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Infant of Prague smiles on Ellicott City
George P. Matysek Jr.
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When Carmelite Father Anastasio Roggero read in a newsletter that St. Paul in Ellicott City had given away 500 tiny statues of the Infant of Prague as Christmas gifts to the children of the parish, he was inspired and heartened.
As rector of Prague’s Church of Our Lady Victorious – the home of the original Infant of Prague statue that depicts Jesus as a child – the priest makes it his mission to spread devotion to Christ through the centuries-old image.
Father Roggero traveled from the Czech Republic to Ellicott City to donate a three-foot replica of the famous statue that was installed in the Howard County church Feb. 28.
Although devotion to the Infant of Prague is often associated with people of Czech and Filipino ancestry – two groups that are not in large numbers at St. Paul – St. Paul’s pastor said the devotion has caught on in his parish.
“There’s an old saying that sometimes you don’t choose a devotion,” Father Matthew Buening explained, “a devotion chooses you. I think we were chosen by the Infant of Prague.”
The pastor noted that the Infant of Prague has a long history of supporting vocations.
“We have one of our parishioners discerning a call to become a Missionary of Charity,” he said, “and here comes the Infant of Prague!”
Father Buening said the devotion is also associated with supporting families. He was encouraged to see that children at St. Paul have already started praying in front of the statue.
“It’s kind of like two kids talking to one another,” he said. “We hope it will help teach them to pray and develop a relationship with Christ.”
The pastor joked that the Infant of Prague is known for helping with finances – a bonus to a parish that is raising money to build an evangelization center. St. Paul parishioners are also raising money to support the African mission work of the Carmelites who minister at the Church of Our Lady Victorious.
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