About Saint Wenceslaus [National Shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague] · Prague, Oklahoma
The National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague is the only National Shrine in the world dedicated to the Divine Infant, located inside St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Prague, Oklahoma. It was formally established in 1949 after Father George V. Johnson, then pastor of St. Wenceslaus, promised the Infant he would make the new church a Shrine in exchange for help building it; donations poured in from across the United States. Today the Shrine draws pilgrims from around the world, offers daily Mass and a daily Holy Hour, hosts the Association of the Infant Jesus of Prague (a papal confraternity erected by Pope St. Pius X in 1913 and established here by Rome in 1949), and has been designated a Jubilee pilgrimage church for both the 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and the 2025 Holy Year "Pilgrims of Hope." It sits in a quiet town of about 2,500 settled by Czech and German immigrants, fifty miles east of Oklahoma City.
- Established
- 1899
- Patron
- St. Wenceslaus (parish); the Divine Infant Jesus of Prague (Shrine)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Christopher Hai Tran, J.C.L. — Rector and Pastor (2023–present)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Why belong here
St. Wenceslaus and the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague offer the rare experience of an intimate rural parish that is also an international place of pilgrimage: you can pray at a daily Mass and Holy Hour, join the world-wide Association of the Infant Jesus of Prague (the confraternity established here from Rome in 1949), walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross and the St. Francis garden, and sit with the stained-glass story of the devotion — all in a quiet Czech-heritage town an hour from Oklahoma City. Pilgrims come for novenas, monthly Sunday pilgrimages, the annual feast, and the Jubilee indulgences available in 2025; parishioners belong to a small, multilingual (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) community that supports a Knights of Columbus council, Women's Guild, RCIA, religious education, and a Shrine Board dedicated to maintaining the grounds and mission. It is, simply, the only National Shrine in the world dedicated to the Divine Infant — and admission and most prayer opportunities are free.
Mass times at Saint Wenceslaus [National Shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Daily during the Holy Hour
- Saturday after the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass
- Or by appointment (call 405-567-3080)
Adoration times
- Daily Holy Hour (Eucharistic Adoration) — times published on the Shrine's monthly schedule
Welcome & Overview
Tucked into the rolling fields of central Oklahoma, the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague lives inside St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, a small-town parish that has become a place of international pilgrimage. The Shrine's own website greets visitors in three languages — English, Spanish (Bienvenido), and Vietnamese (Chào Mừng) — and explicitly describes itself as "one of the most peaceful and spiritually rewarding Shrines in North America." Admission to the Shrine grounds and Gift Shop is free; pilgrims are invited to light a candle, submit a prayer request online, request a Mass, or come in person to pray.
- Address: 304 Jim Thorpe Blvd., Prague, OK 74864
- Phone: 405-567-3080
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: shrineofinfantjesus.com
- Town of about 2,500 founded by Czech and German immigrants
Shrine Hours, Gift Shop & Visiting
The Shrine is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and on Sundays from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM; it is closed on Mondays. The Gift Shop — stocked with devotional items to the Infant Jesus of Prague — operates on the same schedule. Admission is free. Group tours of the church and Shrine are available, with special arrangements possible for groups of 20 or more by calling the rectory.
- Shrine Hours: Tue–Fri 10 AM–3 PM, Sun 12 PM–1 PM, closed Mondays
- Gift Shop: Tue–Fri 10 AM–3 PM, Sun 12 PM–1 PM
- Admission: Free
- Group tours: by arrangement via 405-567-3080
History of St. Wenceslaus Parish
The Catholic roots of Prague, Oklahoma run deep: Jesuit Father Francis Shulak began celebrating Mass in settlers' homes about 1881, the first wooden church was built on cemetery land donated by Vincent Martinek in 1899 for about $125, and Bishop Theophile Meerschaert dedicated a new church under the patronage of St. Wenceslaus in June 1909. That 1909 church was destroyed by a tornado in 1919 and replaced the same year with a brick church. After World War II, the parish outgrew it again; Father George V. Johnson, appointed in 1947, built the present church with donated labor and materials, and the bishop blessed it on February 22, 1949.
- 1881: Jesuit missionary Rev. Francis Shulak, S.J., celebrates Mass in homes
- 1899: First wooden church built on cemetery land donated by Vincent Martinek
- 1909: Bishop Meerschaert dedicates new St. Wenceslaus church
- 1919: Tornado destroys the 1909 church; brick church built same year
- 1945: Rev. Eric Beevers begins planning a larger church
- 1947: Rev. George V. Johnson appointed pastor
- 1948: Foundation laid (April 10); cornerstone laid by Bishop McGuinness (May 23)
- 1949: First Mass in new church (January 30); Solemn Blessing (February 22)
History of the National Shrine
When Father Johnson's hospitalized mother in Bakersfield, California was cared for by Sisters of Mercy in 1947, they asked whether his parish practiced any devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague. Told it did not, the Sisters gave him a statue, which arrived in Prague in August 1947. As stories of answered prayers circulated, Father Johnson — praying the Divine Office in the empty church two weeks before Christmas — vowed to make the new church a Shrine if help came. It did, from across the United States. Bishop McGuinness told him to think big — "Why not a big shrine, a National Shrine?" — and the Shrine was formally established in 1949. Father Johnson kept his promise by setting the Infant Jesus of Prague on a "throne of gold" behind the main altar, and on August 16, 1949 Rome's Carmelite General authorized the establishment of the Association of the Infant Jesus of Prague in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
- August 1947: Statue arrives from Sisters of Mercy in Bakersfield, CA
- December 1947: Father Johnson makes his private vow
- February 22, 1949: Shrine formally established; first Bishop-blessed Mass
- August 16, 1949: Confraternity authorized from Rome
- 2016 & 2025: Designated a Jubilee pilgrimage church
Architecture, Windows & Sacred Art
The present church was designed by Robert West of Black & West Architects in December 1947; the foundation was laid April 10, 1948 by Father Johnson and Frank Kubicek, the cornerstone by Bishop McGuinness on May 23, 1948, and the last brick of the bell tower on November 16, 1948. Its most distinctive feature is the set of faceted stained-glass windows installed in 1969, which use a luminous mosaic-style technique with grout rather than leaded seams. The windows tell the story of the devotion in six panels — Lady Polyxena of Lobkowitz giving the statue to Carmelites in 1628, the Thirty Years' War and Father Cyril's rescue of the statue in 1630, a healing scene, the spread of the devotion across the world, and a sixth panel depicting St. Wenceslaus Church and the National Shrine in Prague, Oklahoma. The interior also holds a white marble altar donated by the Knights of Columbus (1983–1987), and outside stands a Sacred Heart statue carved by a European monk who had lost both hands in World War II.
- Architect: Robert West of Black & West Architects
- Foundation: April 10, 1948 (Father Johnson & Frank Kubicek)
- Cornerstone: May 23, 1948 (Bishop McGuinness)
- Faceted stained-glass windows: installed 1969
- Original 1919 stained-glass window of St. Wenceslaus preserved
- White marble altar donated by Knights of Columbus (1983–1987)
- Sacred Heart statue carved by a WWII hand-amputee monk
- Chime system added under Father Talloen (audible 2–3 miles)
Grounds, Monuments & Gardens
The Shrine grounds blend prayer and quiet beauty. A red Oklahoma granite globe monument with an Italian white marble statue of the Divine Infant enthroned above — with only Prague, Oklahoma and Prague, Czech Republic marked on it — was blessed September 25, 1955 under Father S. H. Kleman. A St. Francis garden with a unique fountain and a statue of St. Francis offers another place for meditation, and an outdoor Stations of the Cross provides a place to pray the Passion. A Children's Garden with a playground built around the Chaplet of the Infant Jesus (12 beads for the 12 stages of Jesus' infancy and childhood) has been in the fundraising stage.
- Divine Infant Monument (red granite globe, white marble Infant) — dedicated September 25, 1955
- St. Francis garden with fountain and statue
- Outdoor Stations of the Cross
- Children's Garden (in fundraising)
The Association of the Infant Jesus of Prague
The Association (Confraternity) of the Infant Jesus of Prague was erected in 1913 under the guidance of the Carmelite friars by Pope St. Pius X, with the purpose of praying to the Divine Infant, placing members under his protection, promoting the devotion, and evangelizing. At Father Johnson's request and Bishop McGuinness's recommendation, the Carmelite General in Rome authorized its establishment in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on August 16, 1949. Members from around the world have since been enrolled, and the parish continues to enroll new members and offer public devotions to the Infant. Members who go to confession within seven days of the feast day and attend the Shrine may obtain a plenary indulgence.
- Confraternity erected 1913 by Pope St. Pius X
- Established at St. Wenceslaus from Rome on August 16, 1949
- Public devotions offered regularly at the Shrine
- Plenary indulgence available on the feast (with sacramental conditions)
Pastoral Succession
The Shrine's official history page preserves a nearly complete succession of pastors from the first Jesuit missionary to the present Rector. Father Francis Shulak, S.J. celebrated Mass in settlers' homes about 1881; the early diocesan pastors (Reynolds, Bednarek, Sinkmayer, Luzor) served in the 1890s and 1900s; Father Eric Beevers pastored from 1939 to 1947; Father George V. Johnson, the founder of the Shrine, from 1947 to 1952; and a succession of diocesan and Benedictine priests (Kleman, Bartnik, Talloen, Faue O.S.B., Kelley O.S.B., VanderLey O.S.B., Simon O.S.B., Sullentrop O.S.B., Spexarth O.S.B., Vorderlandwehr O.S.B., Knight, Tharp, Oswalt, Phan) has cared for the parish since. Since 1974 the Benedictine Abbey of St. Gregory's in Shawnee has supplied most of the priests; the current Rector and Pastor is Very Rev. Christopher Hai Tran (2023–present).
- Rev. Francis Shulak, S.J. — c. 1881
- Rev. E.V. Reynolds — c. 1892
- Rev. Vincent Bednarek — c. 1903
- Rev. Joseph Sinkmayer — c. 1905 (one year)
- Rev. Joseph Luzor — 1906–1910
- Rev. Eric Beevers — 1939–1947
- Rev. George V. Johnson — 1947–1952 (founder)
- Rev. S. H. Kleman — 1952–1961
- Rev. Harry S. Bartnik — 1961–1966
- Rev. Jerome G. Talloen — 1966–1974 (last diocesan priest)
- Rev. Mathias Faue, O.S.B. — 1974–1976
- Rev. Stephen Kelley, O.S.B. — 1976–1979
- Rev. Louis VanderLey, O.S.B. — 1979–1983
- Rev. Francis Simon, O.S.B. — 1983–1987
- Rev. Daniel M. Sullentrop, O.S.B. — 1987–1990
- Rev. Joachim Spexarth, O.S.B. — 1990–1994
- Rev. Adrian Vorderlandwehr, O.S.B. — 1994–2006
- Rev. James Knight — 2006–2007
- Rev. Shane Tharp — 2007–2009
- Rev. Price Oswalt — 2009–2015
- Rev. Long Phan — 2015–2023
- Very Rev. Christopher Hai Tran — 2023–present
Ministries & Organizations
The Shrine is more than a pilgrimage destination — it is a small, multilingual parish with active ministries for worship, formation, and service. Staff and volunteers run a Shrine Board, Parish Council, Knights of Columbus council, Women's Guild, RCIA, Religious Education, Baptism and Funeral coordination, Safe Environment, and a music ministry (Becky Delaware — Saturday, Joy Yocum — Sunday, Melva, Trey Hecker).
- Knights of Columbus — Trey Hecker
- Women's Guild — Sharon Maggard
- Parish Council (Consejo Parroquial)
- Shrine Board (Junta del Santuario)
- RCIA — Mike McCreight
- Religious Education — Richard O'Hara
- Baptism Coordinator (on staff)
- Funeral Coordinator — Cecilia Hecker
- Safe Environment program
- Music Ministry — Becky Delaware, Joy Yocum, Melva, Trey Hecker
- Shrine Gift Shop
Sacraments & Sacramentals
The parish celebrates all the usual Catholic sacraments: Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation. Confession is available daily during the Holy Hour and after the Saturday Vigil Mass, or by appointment. Anointing with holy oils for healing is offered at Shrine events. Funeral arrangements are coordinated through Cecilia Hecker; adults seeking initiation are welcomed through RCIA.
- Baptism — coordinator on staff
- Reconciliation — daily during Holy Hour, after Saturday Vigil, or by appointment
- First Communion & Confirmation via Religious Education
- Marriage — contact the rectory well in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — at Shrine events
- Funerals — Cecilia Hecker
- RCIA — Mike McCreight
Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimage
The National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague has been designated one of six Jubilee pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City for the 2025 Holy Year "Pilgrims of Hope," alongside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, St. Gregory's Abbey, Holy Trinity in Okarche, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Bison. By visiting the Shrine and attending Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary, the Via Crucis, the Liturgy of the Hours, or a penitential celebration (with the usual sacramental conditions), the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence.
- One of six Jubilee pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
- Theme: Pilgrims of Hope
- Plenary indulgence available at Mass, adoration, Rosary, Via Crucis, Liturgy of the Hours, or penitential celebration
Patron, Heritage & Identity
The parish church carries the name of St. Wenceslaus (Václav), the 10th-century Duke of Bohemia and patron of the Czech nation — a fitting name for a town settled by Czech immigrants and named in fond remembrance of Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. The Shrine adds to this Czech-Catholic heritage a universal Marian and Christ-Child devotion: the Divine Infant Jesus of Prague, a 16th-century Carmelite devotion brought to central Oklahoma by Sisters of Mercy in 1947. The promise written on the glass at the entrance — "The More You Honor Me, The More I Will Bless You" — captures the Shrine's identity in a single line.
- Parish patron: St. Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia and patron of the Czech nation
- Shrine devotion: Infant Jesus of Prague
- Czech heritage: town named for Prague, Czech Republic
- Promise of the Infant inscribed on the entry glass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis Shulak, S.J.c. 1881
Jesuit missionary who first celebrated Mass in the homes of the early Czech/German settlers of Prague.
- Rev. E.V. Reynoldsc. 1892
One of the first priests ordained by Bishop Theophile Meerschaert; served Prague while the church was still at the cemetery.
- Rev. Vincent Bednarekc. 1903
Priest in charge of Prague when the second church was built on the present town-site property; died before its completion.
- Rev. Joseph Sinkmayerc. 1905
Pastored Prague for about one year.
- Rev. Joseph Luzor1906–1910
Pastored Prague; served at the time Bishop Meerschaert dedicated the 1909 church.
- Rev. Eric Beevers1939–1947
Began planning for a new, larger church in 1945; celebrated Confirmation with 71 confirmed on July 9, 1939.
- Rev. George V. Johnson1947–1952
Founder of the National Shrine. Received the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague from the Sisters of Mercy in Bakersfield, CA in August 1947; vowed to make the new church a Shrine; supervised its construction (cornerstone May 23, 1948; first Mass January 30, 1949; Solemn Blessing February 22, 1949). Obtained Rome's approval (via the Carmelite General, August 16, 1949) for the Association of the Infant Jesus of Prague. Built Holy Child School in 1951 with the Benedictine Sisters of Lisle, Illinois.
- Rev. S. H. Kleman1952–1961
Cleared the entire parish indebtedness; landscaped and beautified the grounds; added the Divine Infant monument (red Oklahoma granite globe with Italian white marble Infant, dedicated September 25, 1955).
- Rev. Harry S. Bartnik1961–1966
- Rev. Jerome G. Talloen1966–1974
Last diocesan priest to pastor the parish. Installed the beautiful faceted stained-glass windows in 1969 and added the chime system that plays sacred hymns audible 2–3 miles.
- Rev. Mathias Faue, O.S.B.1974–1976
Benedictine of St. Gregory's Abbey — beginning of OSB supply of priests.
- Rev. Stephen Kelley, O.S.B.1976–1979
His brother donated many of the kitchen appliances still used in the parish hall.
- Rev. Louis VanderLey, O.S.B.1979–1983
Emphasized the youth program and supported youth leaders.
- Rev. Francis Simon, O.S.B.1983–1987
Took great interest in serving the elderly; oversaw a $300,000 total remodel of the church and accepted a white marble sanctuary altar donated by the Knights of Columbus.
- Rev. Daniel M. Sullentrop, O.S.B.1987–1990
Built the new parish hall; the Shrine Board originated during his tenure.
- Rev. Joachim Spexarth, O.S.B.1990–1994
Started perpetual fund accounts to help fund mission work.
- Rev. Adrian Vorderlandwehr, O.S.B.1994–2006
Grew the Shrine Association up to roughly 4,400 members.
- Rev. James Knight2006–2007
- Rev. Shane Tharp2007–2009
- Rev. Price Oswalt2009–2015
- Rev. Long Phan2015–2023
- Very Rev. Christopher Hai Tran, J.C.L.2023–present
Current Rector and Pastor; led the 74th anniversary Mass, Holy Hour, and Eucharistic Revival reflection in February 2023.