Father Lawrence Lew, OP via Flickr Licensed CC
Adolf Adam The Liturgical Year: Its History and Its Meaning After the Reform of the Liturgy
Even the oldest liturgical calendars already have a series of saints’ feasts directly following on Christmas. The Middle Ages saw these saints as a crotege of honor accompanying the Christ-child, and gave them the name Comites Christi (“Companions of Christ”). In the Roman liturgy these companions are Stephen the first martyr on December 26, John the Apostle and Evangelist on December 27, and the children whom Herod slew in Bethlehem on December 28 (cf. Mt 2.13-18). These three were regarded as representing the three possible forms of martyrdom: voluntary and executed (Stephen), voluntary but not executed (John), and executed but not voluntary (Holy Innocents).
Martyrdom of the Holy Innocents by Gustav Dore 1868
Today is the commemoration of the Holy Innocents
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under,in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and bitter weeping:
Rachel Weeping for Her Children
Refusing to be comforted for her children,
Because they are no more.
Jeremiah 31:15
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Another sad day during the Christmas Season.
Every Catholic Household has to choose for themselves which feasts and commemorations have the most meaning for their particular household. The Feast of the Holy Innocents is one of those for my household since I lost my own baby in 2002. It speaks to me as a mother in grief over the loss of my child in “lamentation and bitter weeping, refusing to be comforted for my child because he was no more.”
What kind of soldier could carry out Herod’s orders so ruthlessly? What kind indeed. The massacre of the innocents continues – for profit.
On this commemoration, pray for the mothers and children who are victims of abortion, children lost to miscarriage and stillbirth, and other disasters. It is a day to remember the children, lives cut short, and to remember them and ask for their prayers too. Jesus didn’t escape martyrdom when his parents fled with him to Egypt – his time had simply not yet come. When he was martyred on the cross and then came into his glory, he took all of those little children then, and now, with Him.
I always go to mass on this day. It is true that the hurt in a mother’s heart will always be there after the loss of a child. But I think it is also true that a new baby is the salve that makes the pain from that injury bearable. I didn’t realize how much I still hurt until I compared my Christmases from 2002, 2003, and 2004 to the Christmases since Rosie was born. Certainly time and distance has helped, but the deep ache and emptiness I felt previously is not as severe. It’s like remembering what it was like to be very hungry compared to being very hungry. It’s that different.
If you have lost a child, a son or daughter, sibling, little friend, today would be a good day to remember him or her. Join your prayers with the ones at mass today and ask your little friend in heaven to be your intercessor with the Father.
A Prayer for the Victims of Abortion.
Grave site of Baby John – found dead and alone at a construction site. Given a grave and Christian burial in 2005.
Blessing of Children on Feast of Holy Innocents:
Leader (Mother and/or Father): Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, because of a dream, you escaped being killed with the other babies of Bethlehem. As an adult, you embraced and blessed the little children who came to you. You wanted them to come to you and used them as examples in your teaching. Look now on the beauty and innocence of these children. Bless them, their parents and all who care for them.
The leader signs the forehead of each child with the sign of the cross.
In Your grace and goodness let these children advance in age and wisdom, aware of your love for them and desiring to love others in your name. Help them to be faithful to the gospel and to live lives of compassion. Then they will surely come to their heavenly home where they will live in perfect happiness forever. We ask this in confidence in your holy name.
All answer: “Amen.”
Leader to the children: “May God bless you and keep you. May your heart and mind be open. May you live a life of love and caring for all of God’s people and all of creation. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
All answer: “Amen.”
The Leader then sprinkles the children with holy water.
Today is also a good day to make a donation to theChurch of the Holy Innocents in New York.
The Shrine is a great source of comfort to mothers who have lost babies to miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death and abortion.
Other links for the Martyrdom of the Holy Innocents in my Diigo links.
