Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus Joliet, Illinois

A Brief History of our Roots in the Joliet Community

 

In the fall of 1673, Father Jacques Marquette, and his associate Louis Jolliet were mapping this region at the request of the King of France. They were looking for the best passage to the Mississippi River and were best able to draft their map from atop the Des Plaines River Valley that later became Joliet. The Charles Reed family was the first settler to build a log cabin on the west side of the Des Plaines River in 1832, at the present-day intersection of Jefferson and Bluff Streets (Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park). Others arrived and built homes on the east side of the river. By 1834, the locals were calling their community "Mount Juliet."


The first resident priest in this area was Father John Plunkett who arrived in the fall of 1838 to minister to canal workers during a malaria epidemic. St. Patrick's Church was established in 1838 to serve the first settlers of the area. In 1852, the community was incorporated as the city of Joliet, named after Louis Jolliet. The building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal sparked development of the community as an industrial and transportation center. Through the Civil War, and into the 1870's and 1880's, Joliet became an American manufacturing hub which produced steel, windmills, bricks, bicycles, boots, shoes, chairs, harnesses, saddles, stoves, tile, doors, agricultural implements, beer, soda, wagons, carriages, paint, lime, cigars, engines, and clocks. Catholic immigrants came from Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Ireland, and Hungary to work in Joliet's industrial economy. St. Patrick's became overwhelmed with parishioners, and in 1917, St. Patrick's was subdivided to form St. Raymond's . Archbishop George Mundelein appointed Father Francis Scanlan pastor of the newly formed parish of St. Raymond Nonnatus. St.Raymond's was the twelfth Catholic parish in Joliet. Father Scanlan ministered to 287 families with 600 members.

Saint Raymond Nonnatus

St. Raymond was a Spanish priest born in the year 1200. His mother died while in the labors of childbirth. After her death, Raymond was delivered by Caesarian section, and survived; which in those days was very rare. The name "Nonnatus" (pronounced Non-nat-us) means "without birth" in Latin. During those days, the Moorish conquerors of northern Africa and southern Spain abducted Christians to work as slaves. Raymond joined the order of the Mercedarians of Our Lady of Ransom whose mission was to free slaves held by the Moors. He bought their freedom with money and gold donated by wealthy landowners and nobility. In 1238, Raymond traveled to Algeria to buy the freedom of as many slaves as he could. He ran out of money, and exchanged his own freedom  for one slave.  During  his own slavery, he preached a message of hope, converting a number of Mohammedans. In order to lock his mouth shut to prevent further preaching, his captors placed him in a separate prison, and  drove  an iron stake  through  his  lips and locked it shut, in an attempt to stop his evangelism. Eventually, Raymond's freedom was purchased and he returned to Spain. Pope Gregory IX appointed Raymond a Cardinal, but before he could receive the honor,  he died  while  on  his way to Rome, August  31, 1240.  St. Raymond  Nonnatus  is the  patron saint of women in childbirth, or Caesarean deliveries and of those who assist at childbirth. We celebrate his feast day every August  31.  His statue  (complete  with  holes through his top and bottom lips where they were locked shut) is located in the front right of the sanctuary, near the ambo.

St. Raymond's Parish is Established

Father Scanlan held Sunday masses at the Motherhouse chapel of St. Francis Convent (now the University of St. Francis) while the first St. Raymond's Church at 705 Douglas Street was being built. Charles Wallace, a Joliet native, was the architect hired to build the original church. Wallace also designed St. Patrick's (in the early 1900's St. Patrick's had also outgrown their original church at the former site of Joliet Catholic High School.), St. Mary Nativity, and McKinley School. The cornerstone was set on April 28, 1918. A budget of $100,000 was established for a church, school and rectory. In September 1918, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate welcomed 190 children during St. Raymond's school's first year. The first mass was celebrated on Sunday, December 8, 1918. By Christmas 1919, the total parish complex was complete. In 1937, Father Scanlan purchased the 12- room duplex at Douglas and Walsh Streets to serve as the convent to house the Franciscan nuns who staffed the school. (Prior to that, they commuted daily from St. Francis Academy on Plainfield Road where they lived.) Father Scanlan passed away from heart failure on July 30, 1941, and Father Edwin V. Hoover became the second pastor of St. Raymond Nonnatus Parish, and shortly thereafter, the United States entered World War II with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.


The Joliet Diocese is Created

 

Following WWII, the need for housing, services, and worship exploded for the families of the Post War "Baby Boom." The Archdiocese of Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria was subdivided to form the Diocese of Joliet in 1948, and St. Raymond's would become the seat of the diocese. A cathedral takes its name from the word cathedra (Latin for chair), meaning that it houses the seat of the bishop of the diocese. Pope Pius XII established the Diocese of Joliet which consisted of DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Kendall, and Will Counties. Father Martin D.


McNamara was the first Bishop of the Joliet Diocese. Since only 540 people could sit in the original St. Raymond Church, in 1950 the 72 parishes in the Joliet Diocese began a $2,000,000 fund drive to build a fitting Cathedral. Several months later, construction began on the Raynor Avenue Cathedral. Architectural plans were drawn up by the Chicago firm of McCarthy and Smith. The Mazzucco Construction Company of Joliet was chosen as general contractor. Bishop McNamara required that the architects eliminate steps from the sidewalk to the entrances, numerous and ample exits, accurate acoustical correction and sound amplification, a spacious sanctuary so all may see and follow the liturgy, an interior of dignity suffused with a devotional and religious atmosphere. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on March 23, 1952, and the cornerstone was layer on June 28, 1953. The first Mass in the new Cathedral was held on December 8, 1954. On May 26, 1955, the formal and ceremonial dedication of the Cathedral Church of St. Raymond took place.

Samuel Cardinal Strich, Archbishop of Chicago officiated the dedication. In 1967, Msgr. Hoover presided over a parish flock of 1468 families with 5335 members.


When the diocese was founded, there were 90,000 Catholic living in the seven counties. By 1966, Bishop Blanchette was pastor of a flock of 280,000 members.


The Ceiling

The ceiling is 70-feet-high decorated with marble. The pattern on the ceiling represents a fishnet.  As God's children, we are called to become fishers of men. God wants us to tell others about Jesus. God wants everyone to come to a personal relationship with Him, through a confession of Jesus as Lord and Savior. God uses men and women, boys and girls, to spread the good news. [John 21:3-6] Peter had fished all night without catching anything.  Jesus told them cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. The disciples did as the stranger on the shore told them, and made a huge catch of fish. They recognized that it was Jesus, just as he had done before. Peter caught 153 fish when he obeyed Jesus. He learned how to cast his net on the right side. We need to be able to hear God tell us when to cast the net.


Seating Capacity/Layout

With the addition of chairs, the cathedral is capable of seating 1000 people. The plan of the church is that of a "Cruciform", a true Latin cross, with the altar perfectly centered at the crossing.


Photo Credit: Steve Jorstad

The Bell Tower


The campanile, or bell tower, is 190 feet above Raynor Avenue. The campanile is separately constructed from the church, and supports a chime of five cast bronze bells, the largest of which weighs two tons. They can be rung by electrical control from the sacristy. They sound the Angelus daily. The 5 cast bronze bells are named "Catherine", "Msgr. Hoover", "Slim Hoover" (Msgr. Hoover's brother), "Nicholas", and "Franciscus".

The Exterior


Black granite from Pennsylvania is the exterior base course. Indiana limestone is the trim used to relieve the red brick exterior walls.

The coats-of arms of Pope Pius XII and Bishop McNamara (Pope and Bishop of the Joliet diocese in 1954) ornament and characterize the eastern side of the church.

The Interior


25 varieties of imported marbles were used to accentuate important features of the interior. The windows are translucent mosaics (not "stained glass windows"). They  are made up of small pieces of imported antique glass, integrally colored, bedded in lead to produce the individual design, graded in color to develop highlights and shadows. They were made in Chicago. The pictorial sequence, starting from the east window in the south transept (above Saint Joseph), illustrates the Apostles' Creed.

School  Rebuilt


A second school building was added in 1949 and a third in 1966, which allowed for additional classroom space and a library. In 1980, Father Thomas O'Keefe (Third Pastor of St. Raymond's) realized that the school building was no longer adequate. The 1918 building was structurally unsound and not efficient. 1300 families participated in a capital campaign so that the school building could be completely rebuilt from within. When dedicated in November 1982, the school building had a new entryway, a more functional floor plan, and classrooms with recessed entrances, carpeting, and handicapped access. Walls were gutted, classrooms rebuilt, new classrooms constructed. A learning Resource Center, a new roof and heating system were added. The old church portion of the building facing Douglas Street was converted into the current junior high building and Joyce Parish Center for sporting events, receptions, large meetings and social events.

Cathedral Renovation (1991)

 

Father Stanley Orlikiewicz (fifth pastor of St. Raymond's - Father Roger L. Kaffer was the fourth pastor), along with Bishop Joseph Imesch decided that the forty year old church building was in need of considerable repairs including replacement of the leaded translucent mosaic window casings, and updating. Large pieces of stone from outside the building were crumbling, the boiler system was in need of repair, and asbestos needed to be removed. The total repair cost over three million dollars. The newly refurbished Cathedral of St. Raymond was rededicated in August 1991, in time for the 75th Anniversary Jubilee Dinner in 1992.               

Highlights of the renovation included:

The ceiling of the narthex (Raynor main entrance) was painted in creme and gold. (It used to be rose and pink.)

The doors between the narthex and the nave are sculptured oak. They used to be glass which would create glare from outside light.

The entire cathedral was painted tan and creme accented with gold and silver to make the walls lighter and brighter.


Chandeliers


Prior to the renovation, the cathedral was lit only by recessed lighting which was inadequate. Sixteen chandeliers were added; designed especially for the cathedral made from brass and opaque glass. They were made to accent the ceiling and to shine down on the assembly. The top of the chandelier  ties into the detail surrounding the Rose Windows.

Baptismal Font


The Baptismal Font is now at the entrance doorway as a lasting symbol of the significance of how we enter the  church through  this sacrament.  It  is designed  in the shape of an octagon. The eight sides of its design remind  us that Christ rose on  the eighth day.  In our Creed,  we say  that Jesus rose on the third  day.  The third day was Sunday, which is considered the first day of the week. Because of this, the  day Christ rose from the  dead is sometimes  referred to  as the  eighth  day.  The day of the Son, the establishment of the new Jerusalem in Heaven, the day which Mary ascended into heaven, the day just will be given, Jesus second coming, and the Resurrection of the body, are also referred to as the eighth day,  or the  perfect day. The shape of the font is meant  to convey  the experience  of new  life. Water  from the font flows over each of the eight sides; also reminders of new life. The font is constructed to allow for the immersion of children. At its side is another  octagon shaped piece of marble. Adults who become Catholic  stand here to  be Baptized during the Easter Vigil. The font was built in a small  village  near  Pisa, Italy.  It  is made of Russo Levanto marble. The rich burgundy colored marble is also accented with bronze inserts in each of the legs.

Ambry: Oils for Sacramental Life

 

Near the Baptismal Font is the ambry, a recessed cabinet within the church wall designated for the storage of Holy Oils. This cabinet houses the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens (utilized during Baptism), and Holy Chrism, which is employed in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, as well as in the Ordination of Priests and Bishops and the consecration of churches and altars. The oils are displayed in a wooden and glass case, allowing for public reverence. Each year, on the Monday of Holy Week, these oils are blessed during the Chrism Mass, attended by priests and laity from all over the Diocese.

Paschal Candle


Use of the "paschal candle" dates back to the early days of Christianity, references can be traced to the 300-400's. The candle is blessed and first lit each year at the Easter Vigil, and then used throughout the year at baptisms and funerals.

Representative of Christ as the true light, the candle is adorned with the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end), and five grains of incense that signify the five wounds of Christ.

Communion Rail


The communion rail is now located behind the last set of pews. It reminds  all who enter that the entire space is holy.  The communion  rail used to be at  the  front of the church, separating the people from the sanctuary, marking the sanctuary or "holy place." sanctuary,  marking The placement of the railing at the entrance to the church serves as a visual reminder to all who enter that the entire space is holy.

Mosaic Glass Windows


5000 square feet of translucent mosaic glass windows were dismantled, extensively cleaned, and repaired. Some of the green glass was removed and replaced with amber and blue German antique glass. The windows were reinstalled with a new support bar system to hold them in place. The 12 mosaic windows depict biblical scenes which unfold the stories of our faith; in the twelve articles of the Apostle's Creed.


Learn More About Our Beautiful Cathedral Windows

Rose Windows


The center of each rose window houses the symbols of each of the Trinity. The one  on the south wall represents God the Father, the second on over the choir loft has a lamb in the center representing God the Son, and the  third  one  on the  north  wall with the dove in the center is God the Holy Spirit.


Photo Credit: Steve Jorstad

Stations of the Cross


The Stations of the Cross are made from small pieces of imported Venetian mosaic glass actually set into the wall. The color and design of the mosaics follow the Beuron art form, a style that was developed at the Monastery of Beuron in southwest Germany in the late 1800's and early 1900's. This art form is modeled after ancient Egyptian art and is characterized by its highly stylized form of representation based on mathematical and geometric underpinnings. They are more visible since the renovation framed with ivory walls. They show the passion and death of Jesus.

References to the Trinity

 

There are many references to the mystery of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - three persons in one God) throughout the cathedral. This "Trinitarian influence" is manifested in the fact that each of the large rectangular mosaic windows has three medallions, there are three Rose Windows, the detail in the wood on the ends of the pews has three planes, there are three colors of paint on the walls, three layers of framing around the windows, and three types of marble surrounding the crucifix.


Crucifix


The crucifix  is 16 feet tall and is made of marble. The flesh of Jesus is carved  from a block of Portuguese onyx marble, chosen for its flesh colored properties. The reredos, or rear screen, is 36 feet tall and is made of Rose Breccia marble  framed with a border of Grand Antique, a black and white marble. Over the crucifix is a hand-carved wooden canopy, covered with a gold overlay.

Dove


The large gold dove is symbolic of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Above the dove there are grape leaves etched into the gold, and emanating from there are gold shafts of wheat, both representative of the Eucharist.  The symbols at the perimeter of the arc include a cross, a chalice, the nails used to crucify Jesus, the crown of thorns, the lantern used by Judas and wheat shafts. The carved wood on each side of the sanctuary include further references to the Eucharist in the carving of the wheat shafts and grape leaves.

The Altar


To encourage more active participation in the liturgy, the altar was extended 30 feet into the worship space at the heart of the cruciform covered with black marble. The new altar is rectangular; significant because it is approachable from all sides. The front pews were turned sideways to face the altar on three sides.  The new altar was made near Pisa, Italy. The top of the table and base of each support column are all made of Russo Levanto marble. The four support columns are all made from Notre Dame ( creme) colored marble. Brass inserts highlight the columns.

Relics

 

Catholic tradition since the Second Council of Nicea in 787 holds that relics of saints are sealed in the altar to mark the continuity between Christ's sacrifice and that of his faithful. You will note under our altar that there is a small box with a cord leading to it. The box contains the relics (physical remains) of St. Francis Xavier (patron of the diocese), St. Raymond (patron of our parish), St. Anthony of Padua (wisdom, orator, preacher, knowledge of scripture), St. Pius I (martyred 155, priest, canon law,) and St. Jucundus (martyred 250, lector). The box is temperature controlled for preservation of the remains.


The Ambo (lectern)


A new marble ambo (lectern) was made. It is set apart so that it has space around it to highlight the proclamation of the Word.  It  is made of marble to match the  altar and font and to show the unity between them.

The Bishop's Chair


The Bishop's  Chair is located in the center of the sanctuary.   When the bishop presides from this chair, three signs are most fully manifest: The pastoral presence of the bishop in our diocese; the teaching office of the bishop; the unity of  the people of God at the same Eucharist Presider's Chair. The Presider's Chair is located near the assembly. From this area the priest, assisted by the deacon, calls people to gather for prayer.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel


The former cry room is now the Blessed Sacrament Chapel which houses the Eucharist. The original  tabernacle  has been  placed upon an octagon  shaped piece of marble over the former  baptismal  font.  The shape of the  shelf for the tabernacle  is the same as that of the new Baptismal Font. The use of the former  font  as a column for the tabernacle is another reminder of the relationship between  Baptism and Eucharist. The Chapel allows for private prayer and adoration of the Eucharist. Communion can be brought to the sick from this area of quiet reflection.  The sanctuary lamp (red) is placed above the door to the chapel in the  cathedral  to remind us of the presence of the  body  of Christ.  Worshipers  can enter the  chapel for private prayer at times other than liturgical celebrations without  going  into the main body of the cathedral.

Organ

 

The organ (located in the choir loft) is a Wicks, 3 manual, 58 rank pipe organ with over 5000 pipes, installed in 1954 at a cost of $53,000. In 1954 it was the 2nd largest organ in Illinois. The organ has the largest set of swell shades ever built by the Wicks Organ Company. A new console was installed in 1989.


Sacristy

 

The sacristy is the area used by the bishop, priests, deacons and lay ministers to prepare for Masses and other liturgies, and also stores the vestments and sacred vessels that we use. The area is larger than typically found because a as cathedral, we are home to many diocesan functions that often involve a large number of clergy.


The word "vestment" is of Latin origin and means clothing. Liturgical vestments have evolved over time and there is no record of any special form of them during the first four centuries. Even though priests of the Old Testament wore vestments in their liturgical rites, the Christian vestments are not adaptations of them, but rather of the dress of the Greco-Roman world. In the earliest days of Christianity it is probable that the garb of the clergy was the common dress of laymen. After the legalization of Christianity in 313 the Church continued to refine who wore what when until about 800 when liturgical norms for vesting were standardized and would remain so until the renewal following the second Vatican Council in 1960. The white garment is an alb, from Latin "alba" meaning white, and is the primary vestment of all ministers during liturgical rites. The spiritual purpose of the garment is to be a reminder of baptism and purity. The cincture is won over the alb, like a belt, and is a symbol of chastity.


The stole signifies the yoke of Christ. Bishops and priests wear the stole around the neck, which the two bands hanging straight down the front. Deacons wear the stole across their chests, coming down from the left shoulder and joined at the bottom to form a diagonal across the body.


Over all that goes the chasuble, from Latin "casual" meaning little house or tent. The chasuble represents the charity of Christ, its spiritual purpose derived from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians, "Over all these virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect." As the most visible of the vestments, chasubles were at one time extremely elaborate, heavily adorned garments. Since Vatican II, there is less pomp and circumstance, and vestments are much simpler. Deacons wear garments called dalmatic. It looks like a chasuble except it has sleeves.

 
A cope is sometimes worn during processions and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, but not during Mass. We have one in the sacristy that dates back to the 1940's identifiable by its elaborate design and gold thread.

The Bishop's miter is interesting in that the two points represent the Old and New Testaments which the bishop teaches to his flock.

The pictures on the wall in the sacristy are of Bishop Hicks, Bishop Conlon, Bishop Sartin, Bishop Imesch, Bishop Blanchette, and Bishop McNamara. There are also pictures of the previous rectors of the cathedral including our founding pastor Fr. Francis Scanlan.

The chalice and paten are used for consecration during Mass and the ciborium for the distribution of Holy Communion. One ciborium was purchased in the 70's by Rector Fr. Thomas O'Keefe. It was designed specifically for the cathedral and has the St. Raymond Nonnatus emblem embedded on the side.

Monstrances (from Latin "monstrare" meaning to show) are used to expose a consecrated host for adoration. One was made specifically for the cathedral during Msgr. Hoover's tenure. The base is a statuette of St. Raymond, and the detail replicates the back wall of the cathedral. Originally commissioned in the 1940's by the Gosselin family in memory of two of their sons, it was presented to the cathedral on the feast of Corpus Christi in 1991.


Statues


Peter and Paul (located to the right and left  of Christ)  represent  two  strikingly different approaches to discipleship. Peter had to learn slowly, make many mistakes along the way, but always experienced the compassionate forgiveness and encouragement of Jesus. Paul, on the other  hand, came to  the Faith immediately and never backed away from his zeal for Christ after that. Many of us can see both these great Apostles in ourselves. Like Peter, we sometimes fail but yet persevere. Like Paul, we must always be on fire for the Lord, and proclaim Him  to  everyone and in every situation, no matter how difficult it can sometimes be to do so.


Jesus entrusted a specific authority to  Peter:  "I will  give  you the  keys  of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The "power of the keys" designates authority to govern the house of God, which is the Church. Jesus,  the Good Shepherd, confirmed this mandate after his Resurrection:  "Feed  my  sheep." The power to "bind and loose" connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions  in the  Church.  Jesus entrusted this authority to the Church through the ministry of the apostles and in particular through the ministry of Peter, the only  one to  whom  he  specifically entrusted the keys of the kingdom. Thus, it is Peter who symbolically  holds the  keys  to heaven in the statue to the right of Christ.


St. Paul untiring interest in and paternal affection for the churches  established  by him have given us fourteen canonical Epistles. It is, however, quite certain that he wrote other letters which are no longer extant. In  his Epistles,  St.  Paul shows himself to be a profound religious thinker and he has had an enduring formative influence in the development of Christianity. Thus, Paul carries a sword, as the defender of faith.


St. Joseph was Jesus' foster father. He is the saint of fathers, carpenters, workers.


Pope Pius X - Two of the most outstanding accomplishments of this saintly Pope were the inauguration of the liturgical renewal and the restoration of frequent communion from childhood. He also waged an unwavering war against the heresy and evils of Modernism, gave great impetus to biblical studies, and brought about  the codification of Canon Law. His overriding concern was to renew all things in Christ. Above all, his holiness shone forth conspicuously. From St. Pius X we learn again that "the folly of the Cross", simplicity  of life, and  humility  of heart  are  still the highest wisdom and the indispensable conditions of a perfect Christian life, for they are the very source of all apostolic fruitfulness.


St. Francis Xavier (patron of the Joliet Diocese) was one of the first Jesuit missionaries. In India in 1542 he preached to the natives  and attempted  to reform his fellow Europeans, living among the natives and adopting their customs on his travels. During the next decade he converted tens of thousands to Christianity. Working against great difficulties, language  problems  (contrary  to  legend,  he  had no proficiency in foreign tongues ), inadequate funds, and lack of cooperation, often actual resistance, from European officials, he left the mark of his  missionary  zeal and energy on areas which clung to Christianity for centuries. He was canonized in 1622 and proclaimed patron of all foreign missions by Pope Pius X.


St. Therese of Lisieux  was known as "the little flower".  She had a  very short life but was very dedicated to Christ. She was known for saying that she wanted to spend her heaven doing good on earth. St. Therese had a special love of the missions, and authored special letters and prayers in support of missionaries. She reminds us that if feel we can do nothing; it is the little things that keep God's kingdom growing. She is the saint of foreign missions and florists.


St. John Vianney (Patron of priests) was universally known as the "Cure of Ars. " He was made parish priest of Ars, a remote French hamlet, where his reputation as a confessor and director of souls made him known throughout the Christian world. He was a wonderworker loved by the crowds, but he retained a childlike simplicity, and he remains  to  this day  the  living image of the priest after the heart of Christ.  He heard confessions of people from all over the world for the sixteen hours each day. His life was filled with works of charity and love. It is recorded that even the staunchest of sinners were converted at his mere word.


St. Mary Blessed Mother is our purest  most powerful  intercessor  after  our Lord. She is Jesus' mother and The Mother, of God, Mother of Jesus, wife of St. Joseph, and the greatest of all Christian saints. The Virgin  Mother "was, after  her Son, exalted by divine grace above all angels and men". Born in Jerusalem, Mary was presented in the Temple and took a vow of virginity. Living in Nazareth, Mary was visited by the archangel Gabriel, who announced to her that she would become the Mother of Jesus, by the Holy  Spirit. She became betrothed to St. Joseph  and went  to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was bearing St. John the Baptist. Mary and St. Joseph went to Bethlehem, his city of lineage, where she gave birth to Jesus and was visited by the Three Kings. The belief that Mary's body was assumed into heaven is one of the oldest traditions of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius  XII declared this belief Catholic dogma in 1950. The feast of the Assumption is celebrated on August 15. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception - that Mary, as the Mother of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, was free of original sin at the moment of her conception was proclaimed by Pope  Pius IX  in 1854. The  feast  of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December  8. The  birthday  of Mary  is an old feast in the Church, celebrated on September 8 since the seventh century. Pope Pius XII dedicated the entire human race to  Mary in 1944. The Church has long taught that Mary is truly the Mother of God. St. Paul observed  that "God sent His Son, born of a woman," expressing the union of the human and the divine in Christ. Because of this role exemplified by her acceptance of Christ into her womb, her offering of him to God at the Temple, her urging  him  to  perform  his  first miracle, and her standing at the  foot of the Cross at Calvary  Mary  was joined fully  in the sacrifice by Christ of himself. Pope Benedict XV wrote in 1918: "To such an extent did Mary suffer and almost die with her suffering and dying Son;  to  such extent did she surrender her maternal rights over her Son for man's salvation, and immolated him - insofar as she could  in order to  appease  the  justice  of God, that we might rightly say she redeemed the human race together with Christ".


Infant of Prague - Prague is the capitol city of the Czech Republic, which is at the very central of Europe with Germany, Poland, Russia and Austria as its neighbors. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century  when  a  statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue  has remained  in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus.


The exact origin of the original Infant Jesus statue  was  not  truly  known,  but historical sources point to  a small 28cm high sculpture  of the  Holy Child with a bird  in his right hand carved in around the  year  1340.  Many  other Infant  Jesus sculptures were also carved by famous masters throughout Europe in the  Middle Ages. The popularity of the Child Jesus grew in the Baroque period in Spain which may have been caused by the visions of St. Teresa of Avila. A number of sculptures made in Spain eventually found their way to Prague. The Infant Jesus was solemnly coronated on April 4, 1655 by the  Archbishop  Josef Corta  acting  for Cardinal Harrach III who was sick. After that period, Prague went through  more wars and unrest but the church and the Infant Jesus chapel was  miraculously  protected. In 1776 the altar was rebuilt using marble and two huge  sculptures  of the  Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were placed to the left and right sides  of the altar. The Holy Infant was kept in a glass case standing on a pedestal engraved with crystals, and surrounding the Infant were twenty angels in gold. Since  then  copies  of the Infant Jesus were made and distributed  throughout  European  churches.  The Spanish colonial efforts later brought the Infant Jesus to the  Philippines  and to Central America. And since then, the devotion has kept spreading to all parts of the world.


INFANT OF PRAGUE NOVENA PRAYER: 0 Jesus, Who has said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I  seek, I  ask that my prayer be granted.

 

Sacred heart of Jesus - Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God... loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved  us all  with  a  human  heart.  For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly  considered  the  chief sign and symbol  of that... love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception.