Can I tell you that I have started and stopped posts about this little statue three or four times? I have had him since October.
October!!! A lifetime in blog years!
I don't know what's wrong with me. I guess I don't want to offend anyone by saying something weird or irreverent about a religious statue, so I'm frozen in space. Do I call it a statue? Do I call it an icon? Do I capitalize the H in the word "him"? I just don't know!!!!
I do know that I like the statue and it has sat on my desk every day since I bought it in October.
When I saw it sitting on the top shelf at the thrift, totally out of place among the brass candlesticks and smelly cookie tins, I was oddly drawn to the statue. The light jadeite green of the interior of his robe (see, I almost called it a coat) was beautiful. The whole coloring of the statue shouted 1940's to me.
And I just felt that I needed to save him from his lowly resting place. How something like this comes to a thrift store bothers me. Was the owner now deceased and her relatives callously threw it in a donation box?
It wasn't until I checked out that day that I noticed that the fingers on it were broken. Not a big deal to me since I love the chippy and well loved look. But a big deal to the thrift store clerk. She insisted that it should not have made it to the sales floor since it was broken. She told me that they normally throw damaged things in the trash when they are sorting donations.
The trash??? Not the trash!!! Does she not understand what those words do to a hoarder's thrifter's soul!
When I got the statue home and looked it up on the internet, a few coincidences between my statue and the original statue struck me.
Wikipedia (which we all know is the ultimate true source of all information) tells the story of the original Infant Jesus of Prague statue. To make a long story short, the original statue ended up being discarded in the trash and having its hand broken off.
Trash? The thrift store clerk mentioned that mine should have been in the trash!
Broken hand? Mine has a broken hand!
Coincidences aside, I have thought recently about taking it (see I'm calling it "it", so as to avoid the whole "him" capitalization dilemma) to the local nursing home and seeing if there is someone there that would cherish it for its religious value. It seems selfish of me to just admire it for its prettiness factor rather than letting someone else use it as intended.
What's you opinion? If you were not of the Catholic faith, would you keep the statue because it's pretty? Or find a new Catholic home for it?
Red Rose Alley
Oooops, I meant broken hand (I said fingers).
What a lovely post today.
~Sheri
Red Rose Alley
Pam,
I am Catholic, and I would definately keep this treasured statue. And the fact that the orignal statue has the broken fingers and your statue has broken fingers is a beautiful story to me. I love the red coat on Him, and I believe this sweet statue was meant to be with you. Maybe someday someone will need your prayers and you can comfort them with this beloved gift.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Kim K.
I'm glad you rescued Him. We recently inherited all of my MIL former religious statues since her death. Many of them need repair. My FIL wanted to throw them out. They been added to my list of things to restore. Enjoy Him Pam.
Vickie @ Ranger 911
If he makes you happy, keep him! Oops, was I supposed to write He and Him? I have no idea, but I'd think of It as Art and let Him bring Joy to your life. 🙂
Sarah Krouse
i can totally see why you were drawn to him - he's beautiful in his worn patina! do keep him!!! he was meant to be yours! and when the day comes that you are no longer able to care for him, then pass him on to a local home for someone else who may be in need of comfort.
Melinda
I think that you brought the statue
home with you because YOU liked him.
Keep the statue and enjoy him.
M:)
Stop by please.
NanaDiana
IF I loved it, as you apparently do, I would keep it. HE called your name and YOU rescued HIM for a purpose. If you feel peace in HIS presence I would claim him as my own...and I was once Catholic....xo Diana
Micki
I happened onto this site, but happily. Now I know my poor chipped (fingers and crown) Infant Jesus of Prague statue might just stay on display as is. Dear previous commenters who were raised Catholic but no longer practice the faith: please come home....we need you!!! He needs you!!! Much love.
Olive
I am not RC but have many praying Mary's and rosaries. I like religious symbols. I think Catholic religious symbols particularly interesting and pretty. If you are drawn to it keep it on your desk.
Sandy A
I think if you love Him you should keep Him and display Him proudly. I feel and my Catholic friends feel it doesn't matter if you are of the faith, what matters is how you treat the item. I am not Catholic and I love Rosaries and the meaning of them. If you really feel you should place him in the home of someone in the Catholic faith, then do so, but if it were me--I would keep him because he is a lovely statue with a message behind Him...
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
I am not Catholic but I love my Holy Infant and rosaries.
BucksCountyFolkArt
By the way, once a Jewish friend asked me, "Why do you have a Menorrah in your miniature shelf?" I had no idea it was a Menorrah, I just thought it was a pretty candelabra! I kept it. I don't see any reason why you can't keep this statue for pretties sake.
BucksCountyFolkArt
...and of course, I see a few times I didn't cap "his" and spelled Protestant wrong! So much for trying to type with kids present!
BucksCountyFolkArt
Hi! I'm with you, this statue shouldn't be disrespectfully thrown in the trash.
I grew up Roman Catholic, but married and live by the Prostant faith (although I don't believe either religion is "right". We just do the best we can!)
Though no longer Catholic, I do like the statues and keep them as a reminder of my faith.
Usually when I find the Infant of Prague, He's missing his two fingers and the cross on either his head or globe. And using paper clay, I'll mold them back on. Course, that also means repainting Him.
I spoke to a priest about these statues and he said that when they're severely damaged, they will throw them away, but I think there's a prayer said over them (or some kind of act) before doing this. I forget the details, but it has to do with these statues being blessed.
As for me, anytime referring to God or Jesus, I always will cap He, Him, etc. That's just me. I know a lot of people don't.
It saddens me knowing the thrift store throws these damaged statues away when someone like me enjoys restoring them.
Please feel free to contact me with any other questions and I'll do my best to answer.
Jill
Cheapchick
I am RC but not practicing. Still, I love religous iconography. Many of these old statues do hold quite a value. I think the statue is incredibly neat and just because you are not RC doesn't mean you can't appreciate him - don't be shy to keep him!
andrea@townandprairie
I think if you are drawn to him, then it is safe to say he should be in your company. But, never throw him away; it is a holy image. You have rescued him from a landfill!
Sherry B
My grandfather came to the United states from Czechoslovakia in 1920. I have a devotion to the Infant of Prague. I have a small collection that I keep in a cabinet in my home. Most are "chippy" How sad to think it may have been discarded. I would be honored to give him a home. Thank you for saving him.