Jesus, the Eternal Child: The Veneration of the Infant Jesus as an Introduction to the Central Mystery of Christianity
Dariusz Klejnowski-Różycki
Uniwersytet OpolskiDariusz Klejnowski-Różycki (Chinese: 柯達理), priest of the Gliwice diocese, sinologist, pianist, iconographer, professor at the University of Opole, habilitated doctor of theological sciences in the field of dogmatics and ecumenism, Rector of the Silesian School of Iconography, Director of the Institute of Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East, head of doctoral studies in theological sciences at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole, co-founder of the Sinicum Association of Michał Boym SJ, curator of the international think-tank Catechetical Definitions, church censor of the Gliwice diocese. He studied in Lublin, Krakow, Paris, London, Beijing and Taipei. His research interests and publications mainly concern dogmatic theology (Christology), icon theology, theology of art, Chinese and Asian theology.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8388-702X
Piotr Sękowski
Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d’IslamisticaPiotr Sękowski (Arabic: بيوتر سيكوفسكي) – a presbyter of the Diocese of Gliwice, Doctor of Theological Sciences specializing in dogmatic theology, religious studies, and interreligious dialogue; Arabist, Islamologist, and Massignonologist. He is a postdoctoral researcher at the Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d’Islamistica in Rome, Chair of the Audit Commission of the Institute for Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East (Arabic Section), Dean of the Faculty of Mosaic of the "Life-Giving Tree of the Holy Cross" at the Silesian School of Iconography, Prosecutor of SEKO Publishing House, Curator of the International Think Tank Catechetical Definitions, Director of the Polish Section of Badaliya, former National Leader of Gioventù Studentesca within the Comunione e Liberazione Movement in Poland. He is also a member of the Sinicum Association Michał Boym SJ, the Society of Dogmatic Theologians, and the “Friends of Deir Mar Musa” Association (خَليل دير مار موسى الحبشي, Ḫalīl Dayr Mār Mūsā al-Ḥabašī). He has studied in Milan, Rabat, Cairo, Paris, and Lyon. His academic research and publications focus on Christian-Muslim dialogue, Arab Christianity, and Islamic theology.
Bartłomiej Cudziło
Uniwersytet ŚląskiBartłomiej Cudziło (Thai: บาร์โธโลมิว ซุดซิโล) – a presbyter of the Archdiocese of Katowice, affiliated with the University of Silesia, holding a Master's degree and Licentiate in Biblical Studies and Ecumenism. He has been a multiple-time recipient of the Rector's Scholarship for the best student at the University of Silesia. In 2014, he completed an internship in Zambia. He serves as the Chancellor of the Institute for Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East. His research focuses on Free Christian Churches, the Pentecostal movement, as well as Asian theology and culture, particularly in relation to the Churches of Thailand. He is an experienced traveler and guide, specializing in Southeast Asian countries, with particular expertise in Thailand.
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6518-8903
Abstract
The article titled “Jesus as the Eternal Child: The Veneration of the Infant Jesus as an Introduction to the Central Mystery of Christianity” examines the theological and liturgical significance of the veneration of the Infant Jesus, focusing on its role in understanding the essence of Christian faith. It explores biblical and apocryphal narratives, liturgical celebrations, and the popular devotion associated with specific representations and places of worship of the Infant Jesus, such as Pražské Jezulátko and Santo Niño de Cebú. The study emphasizes the theological depth of the devotion, presenting it as a pathway to comprehending both the Trinitarian Father-Son relationship and the divine childhood shared with every Christian.
The authors propose the thesis that the veneration of the Infant Jesus is not merely a devotional practice but a profound theological key to understanding the Incarnation and the relational essence of Christianity. The devotion, rooted in the mystery of Jesus' eternal childhood, draws believers into a filial relationship with God the Father.
The aim of this study is to highlight the spiritual and theological richness of the veneration of the Infant Jesus, demonstrating its centrality in the Christian mystery of salvation and its implications for liturgy, theology, and popular devotion. The article bridges the dimensions of Trinitarian theology and soteriology, emphasizing their cosmic and universal scope.
The research employs scientific methods of theological analysis, including textual and comparative studies of biblical, apocryphal, and liturgical sources, as well as historical and iconographic analysis of representations and traditions associated with the Infant Jesus. By integrating these approaches, the article presents a comprehensive reflection on the transformative power of the divine childhood for individuals and the Church as a whole.
Keywords:
Theology of childhood, Infant Jesus devotion, Father-Son relationship, Divine childhoodReferences
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Uniwersytet Opolski
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Dariusz Klejnowski-Różycki</strong> (Chinese: 柯達理), priest of the Gliwice diocese, sinologist, pianist, iconographer, professor at the University of Opole, habilitated doctor of theological sciences in the field of dogmatics and ecumenism, Rector of the Silesian School of Iconography, Director of the Institute of Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East, head of doctoral studies in theological sciences at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole, co-founder of the Sinicum Association of Michał Boym SJ, curator of the international think-tank Catechetical Definitions, church censor of the Gliwice diocese. He studied in Lublin, Krakow, Paris, London, Beijing and Taipei. His research interests and publications mainly concern dogmatic theology (Christology), icon theology, theology of art, Chinese and Asian theology.</span></p> Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8388-702X
Dariusz Klejnowski-Różycki (Chinese: 柯達理), priest of the Gliwice diocese, sinologist, pianist, iconographer, professor at the University of Opole, habilitated doctor of theological sciences in the field of dogmatics and ecumenism, Rector of the Silesian School of Iconography, Director of the Institute of Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East, head of doctoral studies in theological sciences at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole, co-founder of the Sinicum Association of Michał Boym SJ, curator of the international think-tank Catechetical Definitions, church censor of the Gliwice diocese. He studied in Lublin, Krakow, Paris, London, Beijing and Taipei. His research interests and publications mainly concern dogmatic theology (Christology), icon theology, theology of art, Chinese and Asian theology.
Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d’Islamistica
<p><strong>Piotr Sękowski</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Arabic: بيوتر سيكوفسكي) – a presbyter of the Diocese of Gliwice, Doctor of Theological Sciences specializing in dogmatic theology, religious studies, and interreligious dialogue; Arabist, Islamologist, and Massignonologist. He is a postdoctoral researcher at the Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d’Islamistica in Rome, Chair of the Audit Commission of the Institute for Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East (Arabic Section), Dean of the Faculty of Mosaic of the "Life-Giving Tree of the Holy Cross" at the Silesian School of Iconography, Prosecutor of SEKO Publishing House, Curator of the International Think Tank </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Catechetical Definitions</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Director of the Polish Section of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Badaliya</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, former National Leader of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gioventù Studentesca</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> within the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Comunione e Liberazione</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Movement in Poland. He is also a member of the Sinicum Association Michał Boym SJ, the Society of Dogmatic Theologians, and the “Friends of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deir Mar Musa</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">” Association (خَليل دير مار موسى الحبشي, Ḫalīl Dayr Mār Mūsā al-Ḥabašī). He has studied in Milan, Rabat, Cairo, Paris, and Lyon. His academic research and publications focus on Christian-Muslim dialogue, Arab Christianity, and Islamic theology.</span></p> Italy
Piotr Sękowski (Arabic: بيوتر سيكوفسكي) – a presbyter of the Diocese of Gliwice, Doctor of Theological Sciences specializing in dogmatic theology, religious studies, and interreligious dialogue; Arabist, Islamologist, and Massignonologist. He is a postdoctoral researcher at the Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d’Islamistica in Rome, Chair of the Audit Commission of the Institute for Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East (Arabic Section), Dean of the Faculty of Mosaic of the "Life-Giving Tree of the Holy Cross" at the Silesian School of Iconography, Prosecutor of SEKO Publishing House, Curator of the International Think Tank Catechetical Definitions, Director of the Polish Section of Badaliya, former National Leader of Gioventù Studentesca within the Comunione e Liberazione Movement in Poland. He is also a member of the Sinicum Association Michał Boym SJ, the Society of Dogmatic Theologians, and the “Friends of Deir Mar Musa” Association (خَليل دير مار موسى الحبشي, Ḫalīl Dayr Mār Mūsā al-Ḥabašī). He has studied in Milan, Rabat, Cairo, Paris, and Lyon. His academic research and publications focus on Christian-Muslim dialogue, Arab Christianity, and Islamic theology.
Uniwersytet Śląski
<p><strong>Bartłomiej Cudziło</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Thai: บาร์โธโลมิว ซุดซิโล) – a presbyter of the Archdiocese of Katowice, affiliated with the University of Silesia, holding a Master's degree and Licentiate in Biblical Studies and Ecumenism. He has been a multiple-time recipient of the Rector's Scholarship for the best student at the University of Silesia. In 2014, he completed an internship in Zambia. He serves as the Chancellor of the Institute for Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East. His research focuses on Free Christian Churches, the Pentecostal movement, as well as Asian theology and culture, particularly in relation to the Churches of Thailand. He is an experienced traveler and guide, specializing in Southeast Asian countries, with particular expertise in Thailand.</span></p> Poland
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6518-8903
Bartłomiej Cudziło (Thai: บาร์โธโลมิว ซุดซิโล) – a presbyter of the Archdiocese of Katowice, affiliated with the University of Silesia, holding a Master's degree and Licentiate in Biblical Studies and Ecumenism. He has been a multiple-time recipient of the Rector's Scholarship for the best student at the University of Silesia. In 2014, he completed an internship in Zambia. He serves as the Chancellor of the Institute for Research on Theology and Spirituality of the Far East. His research focuses on Free Christian Churches, the Pentecostal movement, as well as Asian theology and culture, particularly in relation to the Churches of Thailand. He is an experienced traveler and guide, specializing in Southeast Asian countries, with particular expertise in Thailand.
