Kult Dzieciątka Jezus w Kościele katolickim

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to deal with the significant catholic devotion issues. The author defines theological aspects of the Infant Jesus cult referring to both biblical and apocryphal sources. The deepening process of the theological adoration towards the Infant Jesus took place in the patristic period, whereas the pilgrimage traffic to the Holy Land, which started in the ancient times, bloomed in the Medieval Ages. Then the problem of Christ as a man was emphasized and The Infant Jesus cult was linked with The Passion cult. Cistercian and Franciscan communities played a great part in the development of the Infant Jesus cult. During the Reformation and Post-Tridentate reform the Infant Jesus services were of great importance in the Carmelite environment. The French Carmel ranks as the world centre of the Infant Jesus cult. This cult centre emerged in the Beaune Convent. The Infant Jesus cult was manifested by conventual communities, retreat centres, hospitals, orphanages named after the Infant Jesus, which were established for charitable performance. Another great centre of the Infant Jesus cult was the Carmel in Prague which affected the Central Europe. Poland was under the great influence of this centre. The main Infant Jesus Sanctuary in Poland is Jodlowa.