Novena to the Infant Jesus
Beautiful devotion to prepare your heart for Christ’s coming.
The Infant Jesus: A Powerful Devotion for Families
The devotion to the Infant Jesus has brought comfort, protection, and unexpected graces to countless Catholic families throughout history. Many turn to the Holy Child of Bethlehem when facing financial stress, family needs, illness, or spiritual anxiety—because Christ Himself promised:
“Unless you become like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
This novena is a powerful way to welcome Jesus into your home, your family life, and your heart.
Historical Origin of the Infant Jesus Devotion
The devotion to the Divine Infant grew strongly in Europe during the Middle Ages, especially among families who trusted the Child Jesus for protection, provision, and peace in the home.
One of the earliest recorded traditions comes from Bethlehem, where Christians preserved memories of Jesus’ infancy. Through the centuries, devotion spread to Spain, Italy, and central Europe. Priests and missionaries began teaching families to pray the Novena to the Infant Jesus during Advent or anytime urgent help was needed.
Parents prayed it for:
- Safe pregnancies
- Children’s health
- Financial stability
- Peace within the home
- Hope during difficult seasons
Today, the devotion remains strong because Jesus listens tenderly to prayers offered to Him as a child.
A Documented Miracle of the Infant Jesus
One of the most well-known miracles happened in Prague in the 1600s.
A small statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague—later world-famous—was given to a Carmelite monastery. During a period of war and poverty, the statue was damaged, and devotion was forgotten. When the friars restored the chapel, a priest found the statue broken and heard a voice say:
“Have mercy on Me, and I will have mercy on you. Give Me My hands, and I will give you peace.”
The community repaired the statue, and from that day onward:
- Wars ceased in the region
- Donations poured in to support the monastery
- People reported physical healings
- Families testified to miracles of employment, marriage restoration, and unexpected financial help
The devotion spread rapidly across Europe, then the world—because countless Catholics experienced real and immediate graces through the Holy Infant Jesus.
Why Pray This Novena?
Catholics pray the Infant Jesus Novena especially for:
- Family needs (peace, unity, protection)
- Financial struggles (work, bills, stability)
- Health intentions for children or adults
- Strength during emotional or spiritual difficulties
- Grace to prepare the heart for Christ’s coming
It is a beautiful devotion for individuals, couples, and especially families who want Jesus at the center of their home.
How to Pray the Infant Jesus Novena
You may pray this novena anytime, but it is especially meaningful:
- Before Christmas (during Advent)
- Before the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (January 3)
- Before the Feast of the Holy Family
- Whenever you or your family need help from Christ’s tender love
Steps
- Begin with the Petition prayer
- Pray 12 Hail Marys
- Pray the three aspirations
- Pray the main prayer
- Pause to present your intention
- Pray the final prayer
- Pray the Anthem
- Close with the concluding prayer
✨ Novena to the Infant Jesus
Petition
O most holy Virgin,
and blessed St. Joseph,
obtain for us the grace
to perform this novena
with such attention,
devotion,
and ardent charity,
as will entitle us to join the
angels in rendering glory to God.
Amen.
Let us say twelve times
the Hail Mary,
in remembrance of the care
and solicitude shown by
our Blessed Lady
towards the Infant Jesus
till His twelfth year.
Let us make three aspirations,
to incline the Infant Jesus to turn
His favorable attention
on us.
O Divine Infant of Bethlehem,
Whom we adore and acknowledge
to be our sovereign Lord,
come and take birth in
our hearts.
Amen.
O Infant Jesus, grant
that each moment of our lives,
we may pay homage to that moment
in which Thou didst
begin the work of our
salvation.
Amen.
O holy Mother of Our Infant Saviour,
obtain that we may so prepare
for His coming,
as not to be separated from
Him for all eternity.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Most holy Infant Jesus,
true God and true man,
our Saviour and Redeemer;
with all earnestness and respect,
we beseech Thee,
by that charity,
humility and bounty,
which Thou didst display
in Thy Infancy,
graciously undertaken
for love of us,
that Thou vouchsafe to
grant us the favor we now beg,
if it be for the honor
of God and our salvation.
Amen.
Here each one will beg
in spirit the particular
favor desired.
Pause for a short time.
O most amiable Infant Jesus,
we are most unworthy
to be heard in this our petition;
but Thy holy Mother,
the Virgin Mary,
and the great St. Joseph,
Thy foster-father while on earth,
are worthy to be heard
soliciting in our behalf.
Then,
O divine Infant,
being mindful of their most
sublime merits,
especially those they acquired
during the time they served Thee
in Thy infancy in Bethlehem,
Thy flight into Egypt,
and Thy childhood at Nazareth,
vouchsafe to grant our request,
and give us grace to promote the
honor of Thy
omnipotent infancy,
to serve Thee with fidelity,
as domestic servants,
all the days of our lives,
and to obtain a happy
death, assisted in that
last hour by the Blessed
Virgin and St. Joseph,
whose zeal for Thy
honor will lead us
to praise and bless Thy
divine mercies forever
and ever.
Amen.
Anthem
Whilst deep silence
dwelt on all things below,
and the night was in the
midst of its course,
the almighty Word came
down from its throne.
Alleluia.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus,
Who didst, for the love of us,
vouchsafe to reduce Thy
incarnated divinity and
most divine humanity
to the humiliating state
of birth and infancy;
grant that we,
acknowledging Thy
infinite wisdom in Thy infancy,
Thy power in Thy weakness,
and Thy majesty in Thy littleness,
may adore Thee,
a little one on earth,
and behold Thee great in heaven;
who livest and reignest
with God the Father,
in unity with the Holy Ghost,
world without end.
Amen.
Related Prayers and Novenas
- Miraculous Medal Novena — November 19–27
- Holy Family Novena — For family protection
- Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe — December 4–12
- Divine Mercy Novena — For healing and trust
- Our Lady of Lourdes Novena — For physical and spiritual healing
Frequently Asked Questions
You may pray it anytime, especially during Advent or when seeking help for family needs.
Many faithful report help with family unity, financial struggles, emotional healing, and protection.
Yes. The devotion is especially powerful for families and children.
Yes. Many Catholics repeat it monthly or during difficult times.
