Some readers (mostly non-Catholics) have expressed curiosity about the references in my recent novel, Virgin Snow, to a type of statue known as “the Infant of Prague.” In the story, one of the characters decides to open a shop in her garage where she will create and sell beautiful garments for people to dress their statues, which represent Jesus as a child.
This scene was inspired by an actual Infant of Prague shop operated for years by a woman named Lena in a store front on Buffalo’s West Side. Many was the day that I walked by the window to check out Lena’s new garments, which changed in both color and style along with the Catholic liturgical seasons.
So ubiquitous was the Infant of Prague statue in West Side homes that as a child, I assumed every house in the world had one. It did not occur to me that others might not, until I actually went to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, for a conference. I was traveling with a colleague who asked if we could stop in one of the souvenir shops as we walked back toward our hotel at the end of the day. She said she was hoping to find a small statue made famous by the city. “You mean the Infant of Prague, right?” I asked. She looked at me strangely.
“No,” she said. “I want to buy a statue of the Golem of Prague.” Now I looked at her strangely, as I had never heard of the Golem. So we walked to the Christmas Market on Wenceslas Square (it was early December) and, over a glass of hot Glühwein, we began to tell each other what we knew of these religious figures and their history.
As she began to ask questions, I very quickly realized that despite the number of times I had seen the statue I was familiar with, I didn’t know much about the Infant of Prague. “Why do they call it an infant?” she asked after I described the statue. I didn’t have a very good answer. “Why fancy robes? Why a crown? And what,” she asked finally, “did Jesus have to do with Prague?”
I had my own questions for her about the Golem, a mythical man created out of clay. “He is an important part of Jewish legend,” she said. “But he’s not as elegant as your little king.”
Years later, while doing research for my novel, I found answers to many of my friend’s questions. No, the Infant of Prague is not a baby, but a representation of Christ as a child. No, the statue does not have its origins in Prague. According to the website of “The League of the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague,” the statue was a royal wedding gift given by a Spanish Princess to her Austrian royal cousin in the 1500s, and later donated to a group of Carmelite friars in Prague. The robes, crown and miniature globe symbolize the “world-wide kingship” of the Christ Child.[1]
According to that website, many miracles have occurred through “intercession to the Divine Infant.” During one conflict, it says, all the children of the city were taken to the Church for protection, and by praying to the Infant, they were all saved.
I have since learned that there is a similar story about the Golem. [2] A certain Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague in the 1500s was said to have made a powerful living creature out of mud which he called the Golem, a kind of combination man-monster whose purpose was to defend the Jewish community from violent attacks. Since that time, the Golem has been a popular figure with both Jews and non-Jews. According to several websites, plays, novels, movies, musicals and even a ballet have drawn on the tale of the Golem, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Today, a visitor to Prague can even take a “Golem tour” by exploring various locations in the Jewish Quarter.
When I think back to my visit to Prague, I’ll always remember our mutual surprise when my friend and I discovered we were talking about two different religious statues, and then learning how different the two were—one of the Christ child dressed as a king, the other of a towering man made of clay. What strikes me now though, is their similarities. People of many religious traditions who have felt powerless and persecuted at times throughout history understandably turn to the divine or the mystical for salvation, represented by symbols such as these.
I am curious to know how many of my readers had religious statues in their homes while growing up, or were told stories and legends that embraced the sacred, the mystical or the divine. I would also love to know if religion still plays an important role in your life. Please share your comments, below!
Moxie Gardiner is a writer, gardener, and traveler who grew up on the West Side of Buffalo, NY. In a previous life she was a journalist, magazine editor, speech writer, and policy wonk. Back in the day she made three solo parachute jumps, flew in an F-15 fighter jet, and crawled through mud pits at the Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama. She now meditates and practices chair yoga. Virgin Snow is her first novel.
[1] For much more information on the history of the Infant of Prague go to: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/history-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague-1329
[2] For additional info on the Golem go to: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/golem/
I love Sacramentals and I love “thrifting”. I found my Infant Statue in the Montgomery General Thrift Shop in Olney MD. The statue had no adornment and I made a crimson velvet robe with a stand up collar. Many years later while volunteering in my church Thrift Shop, I was unpacking a long abandoned box of various items. Among the contents was another Infant Statue. It is more regal in its fashion. Currently, both statues preside in my home. I didn’t know the history of The Infant Statue including any miracles associated with It. Searching the internet I eventually found this site and decided to share.
I wear a Child of Prugue medal that was blessed at the Cathedral in Prugue. I was given the medal while I was battling a Terminal Illness. I wear it with my Saint Michael’s and Saint Florian ( I am a retired Police Officer and Firefighter). I beat the Terminal Illness and doing better. I still have some residual damage. Getting better every day!
My parents had a statue of the Infant of Prague, the crown and robe both were both removable. I never realized they could be changed. My family is from the east side of Detroit. The best man from their wedding had a statue and put a lottery ticket under it, he ended up winning $50,000. When I got married in 1986, my mother gave me a picture of the Infant. My husband was an alcoholic and had been working sporadically, most of the little money he made was spent at the bar. About a week after I hung the picture up, he decided to go to rehab and quit drinking. Once rehab was completed he found a good job. Thank you Infant of Prague. I was raised Catholic, but no longer attend church. I believe, and thank God every day for all his blessings.
So interesting! I have my Grandmother’s in a beautiful peach lace dress and cape. It’s my pride and joy because it was Nana’s. She was 91 when she passed and I’m 73. I will definitely pass it on.
Thank you for your comment Barb, and thank you for cherishing our old traditions!
I have had my grandmother’s statue in my house since it was given to me 41ys ago. Growing up we all ways had one in the house to, but never knew the story behind it till now ,so thank you for sharing.
Thank you Cindy. I found the story of the Infant so intriguing I just had to share! Based on the hundreds of Facebook likes and comments I’ve received, others were interested in the story as well.
Very interesting. Apparently the Infant of Prague was also a popular item in Italian households in Rochester NY. Both of my Italian Nonna’s had them and gifted me with one at First Communion. All our relatives and friends had one, usually on a special shelf in the home.
There were many Italian ladies who made outfits as well as one who sold statues of many saints out of her living room on the westside of Rochester, and once thriving Italian neighborhood with many churches, which also had IOP statues displayed. I was always fascinated to go to this shop with my grandmother who had an array of saints, crucifixes and a “bathtub Madonna”.
I am still active in my Catholic parish. I went to Catholic Elementary and High school; my daughter to both, and my grandson now attends St.Lawrence Catholic school. BTW, this post was sent to me by a former student who I taught in 1972, at the Nativity of the BVM School on Herkimer St, Westside Buffalo NY. I believe the Infant has blessed us all.
Thank you very much for your comment Jean! This is the first time I’ve heard about the Infant in Rochester homes. It stands to reason of course, with Rochester having a large Italian Catholic community much like Buffalo. I’m so glad you brought up the “bathtub Madonna” as well, as you still see some on the West Side of Buffalo (and no doubt other neighborhoods). BTW, I graduated from Nativity not long before you arrived. I’m sorry we missed each other!
I knew it was the infant of Prague right away.
I lived on west and Hampshire and was married at Nativity of the BVM in 1964.
I do remember many of the Italian famlies had this statue in their houses.
We always thought it was Jesus as a baby.
We had one on the east side of Bflo, Polish area. One night we had a fire in our dining room, the statue was on the buffet table were the fire started from a candle. Everything burned around it but the statue 🙏🏻
Wow Darlene. That is quite an amazing story. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
MY SISTER PAT & HER AUNT MARTHA MADE THEIR LIVING DRESSING & SELLING THESE STATUES,IN THE FIFTIES & SIXTIES IN BUFFALO.
Hi Susan! Thanks for reading my blog. How very interesting that it wasn’t common in North Buffalo. As you can tell from some of the Facebook comments, lots of people who grew up on the West Side had them. Same city, different worlds! And yes, you can still be a good person and not attend church.
Hi Evelyn. Did your sister and aunt by any chance live on the West Side? It appears it was more common there than elsewhere in the city, maybe because your sister and aunt made sure everyone got one! Thanks for reading my blog.
I am familiar with the statues of the infant of Prague only through seeing them in churches. We certainly didn’t have one in our home, and I don’t recall any of my neighborhood friends having them in theirs on the north side of Buffalo. As to your second question, no, organized religion does not play a big part in my life but I work very hard to be a good person without “the church”.
Fascinating! Lots of crucifixes and statues of the Virgin Mary in my grandmother’s house.
Thanks Katryn! I suspect there are many people who will read this blog and remember these religious statues in their parents and grandparents’ houses. Not very common to see them today.
Very interesting read!!!! My girls Jackie & Sandy both got gifts of the Infant when they made their first Communion!!!
Hi Tootsie! Thank you for your comment. I’ve heard that many people got a small statue for their first communion or confirmation, and then a larger one as a wedding gift. Thanks for reading my blog!