# The Chaplet of the Holy Infant on the Feast of St. Stephen
*2018-01-10*

> Bill Young celebrates St. Stephen’s feast day and leads listeners through the Chaplet of the Holy Infant, a devotion revealed to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque that honors the first twelve years of Jesus’ childhood.

## St. Stephen’s Feast Day

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today, December 26, we commemorate St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church and a deacon who served the poor. May you have enjoyed a blessed Christmas and heard the Pope’s homily.

## The Origin of the Chaplet of the Holy Infant

The Chaplet of the Holy Infant was revealed to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French mystic devoted to the Sacred Heart. In a vision, the Divine Child appeared, showing her a shining chaplet and saying, “Go and spread this devotion among all souls. Those who recite it with devotion will receive special graces of innocence and purity.” The chaplet consists of an introductory prayer, twelve Hail Marys for each year of Jesus’ childhood, a concluding prayer, and the sign of the Cross.

## Introductory Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Child Jesus, I unite my heart to you, the shepherds who adore you in the manger, and the angels who glorify you in heaven. Divine Infant, I adore your holy heart and offer you all the adoration of the Most Holy Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the heart of St. Joseph. In honor of the infant Jesus, we pray: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Amen.

## The Twelve Hail Marys

For each set of four years of Jesus’ childhood we pray three Hail Marys, recalling the twelve years of his earthly life.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

(Repeat the above Hail Mary three times for each of the three four‑year periods, for a total of twelve Hail Marys.)

## Prayer to St. Joseph

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

## Final Prayer

Lord Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you were presented in the temple, taken to Egypt, and later returned to Jerusalem, where you amazed the doctors with your wisdom. As we contemplate the first twelve years of your earthly life, grant us the grace to honor the mysteries of your holy infancy. May this devotion humble our hearts and draw us ever closer to the Divine Child who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

*Reciting the Chaplet of the Holy Infant helps us enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s childhood and grow in purity and love.*