Childermas

reposted & updated from 2010

HOLY INNOCENTS
Martyrs

Within the Octave of Christmas

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / PURPLE
There is mixed joy and sorrow in the feast of the innocent victims of the first persecution. The Church rejoices at the spiritual victory of the young witnesses to Christ. The purple vestments of the Mass denote the Church’s common grief with the mothers of Bethlehem, who saw their babies massacred by the jealousy of Herod.

While it is easy to get lost in the nightmare of what happened to the Innocents, it’s to be remembered that they ultimately triumphed! They are Saints of God, as this painting by William Holman Hunt shows. The Innocents are seen with the Holy Family, in spirit, during the Family’s Flight to Egypt. ~ Fisheaters

RESOURCES:

• Holy Innocents Story – For Kids
• Holy Innocents – EWTN
• Shrine of the Holy Innocents – Video Prayer for ALL (upload is slow)
• Continuation of a fairly new tradition for my family – the youngest child will “rule for the day.”  You can read more about this custom here and here.
• Printable Prayer Card to End Abortion – Holy Reflections
• Instruction on the Feast of the Holy Innocents – Crusaders for Christ.
• The Mystery of Suffering Innocents – Vultus Christi
• On The Feast of the Holy Innocents, A Meditation on the Sins Committed Against Children – Msgr. Charles Pope
• Start a Novena to the Magi in anticipation of the Epiphany. – This Novena is especially prayed beginning on 28 December (the Feast of the Holy Innocents) and ending on 5 January (the Vigil of the Epiphany).

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, once You embraced and placed Your hands upon the little children who came to You, and said: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, and their angels always see the face of my Father!” Look now with fatherly eyes on the innocence of these children and their parents’ devotion, and bless them this day through our ministry. (The father signs the forehead of each child with the sign of the cross.) In Your grace and goodness let them advance continually, longing for You, loving You, fearing You, keeping Your commandments. Then they will surely come to their destined home, through You, Savior of the world. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. ~ Blessing of Children on Holy Innocents

May God bless you, and may He be the Guardian of your heart and mind —  In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.