# Did Baby Jesus Smile at Me? Praying the Chaplet of the Holy Infant
*2023-01-13*

> Bill shares a surprising experience of feeling the infant Jesus smile during Mass and leads listeners in the Chaplet of the Holy Infant, reflecting on its origins and the call for the venerable Margaret to be recognized as a saint.

## A Strange Encounter at Mass

Last Sunday, after celebrating the Mass of the Epiphany, I felt a sudden, unexpected smile from the baby Jesus in the manger. I was tired from work and a raffle for the foundation, and as I looked up, a small statue—or perhaps a figure—seemed to look back at me and smile. It left me wondering whether I was simply exhausted or if the infant truly acknowledged me. The moment reminded me of Revelation 12, where the child appears in a mysterious way, and it sparked a deeper curiosity about the presence of the Holy Infant in our lives.

## St. Teresa’s Wisdom on Family

In today’s reading from *The Wisdom of the Saints*, St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us: “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.” This simple yet profound truth resonated with me, especially after feeling that intimate connection with the infant Jesus. It urged me to honor the Holy Child by turning my heart toward my own family and toward the devotion of the Chaplet of the Holy Infant.

## The Origin of the Chaplet of the Holy Infant

The Chaplet of the Holy Infant was revealed to a Carmelite sister named Margaret in the 18th century. According to tradition, the Divine Child appeared to her, showing a shining chaplet and urging her to spread this devotion. Those who keep the chaplet are promised special graces of innocence and purity. Although Margaret has not yet been canonized, her devotion remains a beautiful, though little‑known, part of our spiritual heritage.

## Praying the Chaplet

We begin with the Sign of the Cross and an introductory prayer:

“Holy Child Jesus, I unite my heart with the shepherds who adore you in the manger, with the angels who glorify you in heaven, and with the Holy Family. May we adore your cross and accept what you will send us. I offer you the adoration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the heart of St. Joseph.”

The chaplet consists of twelve Hail Marys, each recalling a year of Jesus’ childhood, followed by a prayer to the Holy Family and a concluding prayer invoking the Divine Child’s intercession. (The full text of the chaplet is available in the printed booklet.)

## A Prayer for Margaret and for Hope

After the chaplet, I prayed a special intention for Sister Margaret, asking that the Church recognize her sanctity. I also asked the Holy Infant to grant grace to all who are hopeless, trusting in the promise that the Child will return in innocence. The prayer concluded with a petition for the coming of Christ, first as a child and then in glory, echoing the hope of Revelation 12.

*When we open our hearts to the Holy Infant, even a fleeting smile can remind us of Christ’s ever‑present love and the call to honor the saints who have walked before us.*