Infant Jesus Shrine

Brief History: Infant Jesus Shrine of Bangalore has an interesting origin. A local parish priest, Fr.Paul Kinatukara, was eyeing a rose garden in what was then the outskirts of Bangalore - Somanahalli. He wanted to construct a church in the idyllic surroundings of the Rose garden, but could not find the resources. He started praying to the Infant Jesus of Prague and soon enough, he could buy the coveted land at a price he could gather.

In 18th April,1969 the foundation was laid for this church. Many years later, a much larger church was built adjacent to the shrine. The new church - architect designed with basement parking facilities, was inaugurated on June 9th, 2005. It receives thousands of devotees from the entire south India every year.

This Church in Vivek Nagar in Bangalore is well designed with many high-tech features - probably keeping in tune with the city in which it is located. The Church has hugh symmetrically aligned concrete columns which in turn are supported by massive steel beams. The church has possibly one of the lowest reverberations and a much lower echo threshold for a church - Thanks to the roof lining with anti-echo panels and the strategically - roof mounted speaker pods. It also has 2 projectors mounted on tall pedestals to display suitable images on the two sides of the altar.

The rise of popularity for the Infant Jesus is the reason why many shrines are established across India. In Madras (Chennai) alone there are 2 such shrines - one in Manali and the other in Guindi. The child Jesus commanded active devotion throughout during the last 1000 years.

Some of the famous worshippers included St. Bernard of Chlairvaux, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St.Cajetan, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Teresa of Avila, the latter was reported to have traveled with her sculpture of the Infant Jesus when establishing new convents. The image as we know originated from an unknown artist in Spain. It travelled to Prague and was attributed with many miracles.

Devotion of St.Francis of Assisi to Child Jesus

St.Francis of Assisi, who had a deep devotion to our Lord Jesus in His Holy Infancy created the first Scene of Nativity in the year 1223 near the town of Greccio. His devotion to Jesus Christ is best exemplified by the image of the Crucified Jesus embracing St.Francis of Assisi with one arm, in the church of St.Francis of Assisi, built in 1510 in Old Goa. This great saint had three vows - Poverty, Humility and Obedience.

Roman Catholics often invoke a series of prayers for 9 consecutive days ( sometimes this can be for nine hours too like the Novena for the Divine Mercy or the Novena to Infant Jesus) to request for a special favor. Many have received this special grace after the conclusion of these Novena. Several miracles have been attributed to the Novena. We have collected some of the popular and effective prayers in this series on Catholic centers in India for your special intentions.

Infant Jesus Novena

O Miraculous Infant Jesus, we prostrate before Your Image and beseech You to cast your merciful look on our troubled hearts.

Let Your tender Heart, so inclined to pity, be softened by our prayers and grant us that grace for which we ardently implore You.

[Mention your request]

Take from us all despair, all trials and misfortunes with which we are laden.

For Your Sacred Infancy's sake, hear our prayers and send us consolation and aid that we may praise You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

Novena to the Infant Jesus

Say once an hour for nine hours on one single day

O Jesus, who has said ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you, through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek and I ask that my prayer may be granted.

Mention your personal intentions now

O Jesus, who has said all that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will 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 be granted.

Mention your personal intentions now

O Jesus, who has said "Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass", through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.

Mention your personal intentions now

Infant Jesus Prayer

O Miraculous Infant Jesus, look upon us, as we, turn to you, imploring your assistance in our needs and anxieties. Let your compassionate heart be moved to pity by our supplications and grant us the favour which we ardently implore you. Free us from all afflictions and despair, all trials and misfortunes and give us your support and consolation so that we may praise you and the Father and the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.