Indeed, by their infancy, they had no will and no understanding of what was happening. Good old Father Z has just published a great post on the Holy Innocents that includes the Coventry Carol too. Fulgentius of Ruspe(6th century) gives a homily De Epiphania, deque … Thus, a legion of Innocents is in Heaven and continually prays for us. “John was a martyr, by a martyrdom which only angels could see, for the proofs of his sacrifice being spiritual, only spiritual creatures could ken them. As the population grows, so also do the number of holy innocents who are baptised and go to Heaven. First Reading 1 Jn 1: 5-22 Let me ask you what was the fault for which Herod slew them? In both Scripture and secular history, innocents die so that the hero survives to achieve his mission. Yet, infants have not yet reached the age of reason and so they cannot voluntarily lay down their lives for God. As the population grows, so also do the number of holy innocents who are baptized and go to Heaven. However, not all families have canonized saints. This is an opportune suggestion on the feast of the Holy Innocents. The noted Abbot Prosper Guéranger comments on a passage from Saint Bernard’s Sermon of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Indeed, by their infancy, they had no will and no understanding of what was happening. The day honors those that are considered to be martyrs because they not only died for Christ but instead of Christ. On this occasion, we should remember that those that have canonized saints in their families should be very devoted to them. Comments Policy: TFP.org reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Reading 1 . Why the Holy Innocents Are Martyrs Due to God’s Goodness The massive campaigns against child mortality have fortunately resulted in fewer such deaths. Angels cannot see what does not exist. Thus, the thrones left empty by the angels that sinned, continue to be filled according to God’s plan. This is a most beautiful thought that the peace to men of good will is extended even to men without wills. This is a most beautiful thought that the peace to men of good will is extended even to men without wills. This would be an exception to the rule, and the Holy Innocents should be considered martyrs by the baptism of blood. However, they became unintentional martyrs. See more ideas about innocent, martyrs, orthodoxy. The merit is found in a pure act of God’s goodness. Even though the Holy Innocents died long before him, St. Stephen is considered the “first martyr” by the Church based on the definition your uncle gives. Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs Lectionary: 698. 8:3).’ The praise the angels give thee is: ‘Glory be to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will (Lk. A: Your observation is astute. Leo in his homilies on the Epiphany speaks of the Innocents. This comment is a bit complex but can be easily understood. On this occasion, we should remember that those that have canonised saints in their families should be very devoted to them. All rights reserved. The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 1st Reading: 1 John 1:5–2:2 Our fellowship with God through Jesus Christ the righteous one. The feast of the Holy Innocents has been celebrated in the West since at least the fifth century, where it appears in … Attacks upon innocents have increased with people killing them through abortion. This perspective helps us understand a little better how the world fits into God’s salvific plan for humanity. Angels cannot see what does not exist. Saint Bernard says this in poetic language that is very well analysed and very beautiful. Saint Bernard says this in poetic language that is very well analyzed and very beautiful. … If you ask me what merit could they have that God should crown them? The reason I’m asking the question is that I’m reading a book by a Catholic scripture scholar who says that the story of the slaughter of the innocents isn’t historical. [4] Since all the canonical evidence that such an event occurred is found only in the Gospel of Matthew, New Testament scholars such as Daniel J. Harrington have said that the historicity of the event is “an open question that probably can never be definitively decided.” December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs. And whilst Herod could put these Babes to death, who had done him no injury, Jesus may not crown them for dying for Him?”. Thus, in great cities like Brazil’s São Paulo, where very bad people continually die, many souls also go to Heaven daily. We can be absolutely sure of their salvation and should pray and recommend ourselves to their prayers. Is the mercy of Jesus less than the cruelty of Herod? Indeed, St Stephen is regarded as the protomartyr (first martyr) and the feast of the Holy Innocents is always celebrated on the first Monday after that. However, such are our times that even this possibility of righteous souls going to Heaven is significantly reduced. In Heaven and forevermore, these innocent victims will wear the martyr’s crown and will be honored by the angels and saints as the first witnesses to the newborn King. However, not all families have canonised saints. It was His gratuitous kindness, whereby He granted them the condition of martyrs because they died for Him. Man could find no merit; angel could find no merit; the extraordinary prerogative of Thy Grace is the more boldly brought out.”. Attacks upon innocents have increased with people killing them through abortion. Thus, Saint Bernard raises the problem of whether these children should be recognised as martyrs: “Will anyone doubt whether a crown [of martyrdom] was given to these Innocents? Outside of the chastisement foreseen at Fatima, I see no remedy for this problem. These children are considered martyrs and are remembered on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28, the 4th of the 12 days of Christmas. The Holy Innocents, although Jewish, have been claimed as martyrs for Christianity. Saint John wanted to be a martyr but was not killed for the faith. No, they would have confessed had they but a little older, exactly what the Scripture says: “Behold, I was conceived in iniquity and in sin my mother bore me.” They were holy innocents, not by nature, but by grace. Jan 3, 2020 - Explore Lisa Wuertz's board "Holy Innocents (Dec. 29)", followed by 145 people on Pinterest. And whilst Herod could put these Babes to death, who had done him no injury, Jesus may not crown them for dying for Him?”. The definition of martyr is a bit more broad than simply to die willingly on behalf of Christ. It is this God-King that the Innocents by dying confess (Collect). The following Monday marks the Holy Innocents, those babies of Bethlehem killed by the caprice of a tyrant. The biblical text evokes recollection of the death of the firstborn at Passover, when the Angel of Death passed over Egypt. Holy Innocents, first small martyrs, pray for us and for unborn children. Summary:The Holy Innocents.When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. Man could find no merit; angel could find no merit; the extraordinary prerogative of Thy Grace is the more boldly brought out.”. kathleen says: December 28, 2016 at 19:46. Liturgical Colour : Red Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we commemorate the memory of the Holy Innocents, the martyrs of the faith who were slaughtered on the orders of king Herod of Judea, who murdered them in his futile attempt to destroy the Messiah and Saviour of the world, the True King Whom Herod feared would topple him and take over the kingdom and power and rule from … “John was a martyr, by a martyrdom which only angels could see, for the proofs of his sacrifice being spiritual, only spiritual creatures could ken them. They are the natural patron saints of your families. We can be absolutely sure of their salvation and should pray and recommend ourselves to their prayers. 8:3).’ The praise the angels give thee is: ‘Glory be to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will (Lk. A tiny child is born, who is a great king. Saint Stephen wanted to be a martyr and became one by his death. But the theme of martyrdom carries through even in other feasts for saints who technically are not martyrs. 2:14).’ It is a magnificent praise, but I make bold to say that it is not perfect till he cometh who will say: ‘Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such (Mt. Can we pray to the Holy Innocents? They are the natural patron saints of your families. January 22nd is not a day of observance on the Church’s calendar unless it happens to fall on a Sunday. The noted Abbot Prosper Guéranger comments on a passage from Saint Bernard’s Sermon of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. And yet it is a day that many churches in the U.S. have observed since 1973. This comment is a bit complex but can be easily understood. Marcelo O. Tubac, OFM. It is a first-century feast that has been kept in the West from the 4the century. “But the Innocents were martyrs, to none other eye save Thine, O God! Outside of the chastisement foreseen at Fatima, I see no remedy for this problem. In Heaven, these children enjoy the full lucidity of a saved soul living with God face-to-face. Many more innocent souls will grow up and be corrupted through immorality and sins that will most likely send them to Hell. The feast has been celebrated since at least the 5th century, usually in connection with the Epiphany. St. John Kanty, whose day is before Christmas Eve, longed to be a martyr. It didn’t necessarily have to be this way. Their passion is the exaltation of Christ. Posted on January 25, 2016 by Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. The Holy Innocents are the special patrons … It is very reasonable, useful, and worthwhile to pray to these children to protect you. The Holy Innocents, who were the children, killed by Herod to see if he could kill the Messias, did not want to become martyrs, and were martyred by an outside force. However, such are our times that even this possibility of righteous souls going to Heaven is significantly reduced. In his letter to all the Bishops of 28 December 2016, at the occasion of the Holy Innocents Martyrs, Pope Francis wrote: Christian joy does not arise on the fringes of reality, by ignoring it or acting as if it did not exist. The massive campaigns against child mortality have fortunately resulted in fewer such deaths. This displays the exuberance of God’s mercy, whereby the Holy Innocents are saints. Saint Bernard notes: “In Saint Stephen, we have both the act and the desire of martyrdom; in Saint John, we have but the desire; in the Holy Innocents we have but the act…”. Saint John wanted to be a martyr but was not killed for the faith. This is the classic definition that we tend to use. Despite the great number of sinners who die unrepentant, there are still huge numbers of children who die baptised and guiltless and go straight to Heaven. 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