Holy Innocents, the children mentioned in St. Matthew, ii, 16-18: “ Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. We can be absolutely sure of their salvation and should pray and recommend ourselves to their prayers. Saint John wanted to be a martyr but was not killed for the faith. “But the Innocents were martyrs, to none other eye save Thine, O God! This comment is a bit complex but can be easily understood. Thus, a legion of Innocents is in Heaven and continually prays for us. This is an opportune suggestion on the feast of the Holy Innocents. © 2021 The American TFP. This comment is a bit complex but can be easily understood. 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. 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…”. It is very reasonable, useful, and worthwhile to pray to these children to protect you. Thus, in great cities like Brazil’s São Paulo, where very bad people continually die, many souls also go to Heaven daily. 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? This is a well-disputed and triumphantly-reasoned argument. John the Apostle, who is celebrated the Sunday after Christmas, is considered a martyr by will. Saint Bernard says this in poetic language that is very well analyzed and very beautiful. 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. It is this God-king that the Innocents by dying confess. This perspective helps us understand a little better how the world fits into God’s salvific plan for humanity. All rights reserved. The noted Abbot Prosper Guéranger comments on a passage from Saint Bernard’s Sermon of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The Holy Innocents are the special patrons … But it also reminds us that death will follow the birth of the baby Jesus all too soon. As the population grows, so also do the number of holy innocents who are baptized and go to Heaven. Saint Bernard says this in poetic language that is very well analysed and very beautiful. 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. December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs. 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, they became unintentional martyrs. 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. © 2023 by Name of Site. 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. 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. It is because Herod believed the words of the Magi and of the high priests whom he consulted that he sees a rival in the Infant of Bethlehem and with jealousy persues the Child, born King of the Jews. 28 Dec The Holy Innocents, martyrs 1st Reading: 1 John 1:5-2:2 Those who walk in darkness, and those who walk in the light. Saint Stephen wanted to be a martyr and became one by his death. TFP.org will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages. There have been those who have argued that the Holy Innocents are not truly martyrs, because martyrdom is an act of virtue and therefore a voluntary act. Covid Did Not Increase the Death Rate in the U.S. Indeed, by their infancy, they … King Herod murdered all the male children who were approximately two years old in hopes of killing the Christ child. The earliest commemorations were connected with the Feast of the Epiphany, 6 January: Prudentius mentions the Innocents in his hymn on the Epiphany. On this occasion, we should remember that those that have canonised saints in their families should be very devoted to them. Yet, infants have not yet reached the age of reason and so they cannot voluntarily lay down their lives for God. Attacks upon innocents have increased with people killing them through abortion. When Herod realized that the wise men had tricked him, and were not returning to tell him where they had found the child Jesus, he sent his soldiers to kill all male children ages two and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas. Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. The Roman Catholic Church honors today, Dec. 28, the first martyrs of the Catholic faith — the Holy Innocents (Santos Inocentes) — the children of the neighborhood of Bethlehem who were massacred upon the order of King Herod of Judea in his desperate attempt to eliminate the Infant Jesus, the newborn King. What! They are the natural patron saints of your families. A: Your observation is astute. Where is the merit of the Holy Innocents, which not even angels could see since no act existed on their part? 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. Epiphany 3 – “The Holy Innocents, Martyrs” – Matthew 2:16-18. This perspective helps us understand a little better how the world fits into God’s salvific plan for humanity. All rights reserved. In both Scripture and secular history, innocents die so that the hero survives to achieve his mission. Angels cannot see what does not exist. Fulgentius of Ruspe(6th century) gives a homily De Epiphania, deque … The preceding article is taken from an informal lecture Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira gave on December 28, 1965. Saint Stephen wanted to be a martyr and became one by his death. We can be absolutely sure of their salvation and should pray and recommend ourselves to their prayers. Wise men are led to him from afar. Thus, a legion of Innocents is in Heaven and continually prays for us. Let me ask you what was the fault for which Herod slew them? “But the Innocents were martyrs, to none other eye save Thine, O God! The commemoration of the massacre of the Holy Innocents, traditionally regarded as the first Christian martyrs, if unknowingly so, first appears as a feast of the Western church in the Leonine Sacramentary, dating from about 485. Seems it is not as “recent” as I’d described above (now edited), but was composed in the 16th century! However, such are our times that even this possibility of righteous souls going to Heaven is significantly reduced. Their passion is the exaltation of Christ. The martyrdom of the Holy Innocents is a difficult theological problem. “‘Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise (Ps. Let me ask you what was the fault for which Herod slew them? [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.” Is the mercy of Jesus less than the cruelty of Herod? 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. The preceding article is taken from an informal lecture Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira gave on December 28, 1965. Thus, when you have difficulties, remember the children who may have been born in your family and died shortly after their baptisms. They come to adore one who lies in a manger and yet reigns in heaven and on earth. It was His gratuitous kindness, whereby He granted them the condition of martyrs because they died for Him. However, such are our times that even this possibility of righteous souls going to Heaven is significantly reduced. It was His gratuitous kindness, whereby He granted them the condition of martyrs because they died for Him. Saint John wanted to be a martyr but was not killed for the faith. This antiphon from Terce, the 3rd hour of prayer, references the account of Herod's slaughter in Matthew 2:16. Despite the great number of sinners who die unrepentant, there are still huge numbers of children who die baptized and guiltless and go straight to Heaven. The feast of the Holy Innocents has been celebrated in the West since at least the fifth century, where it appears in … St. John Kanty, whose day is before Christmas Eve, longed to be a martyr. “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. Man could find no merit; angel could find no merit; the extraordinary prerogative of Thy Grace is the more boldly brought out.”. January 22nd is not a day of observance on the Church’s calendar unless it happens to fall on a Sunday. For the Holy Innocents suffered as martyrs and confessed Christ non loquendo sed moriendo, not by speaking but by dying” (Commentary on St Matthew, 2,16). Dec 28 -The Holy Innocents, martyrs 28 December, 2012 . However, not all families have canonized saints. kathleen says: December 28, 2016 at 19:46. What! Outside of the chastisement foreseen at Fatima, I see no remedy for this problem. Many more innocent souls will grow up and be corrupted through immorality and sins that will most likely send them to Hell. In Heaven, these children enjoy the full lucidity of a saved soul living with God face-to-face. Summary:The Holy Innocents.When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. Many more innocent souls will grow up and be corrupted through immorality and sins that will most likely send them to Hell. Why the Holy Innocents Are Martyrs Due to God’s Goodness The massive campaigns against child mortality have fortunately resulted in fewer such deaths. 1 Response to 28th December, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs. Thus, Saint Bernard raises the problem of whether these children should be recognized as martyrs: “Will anyone doubt whether a crown [of martyrdom] was given to these Innocents? Man could find no merit; angel could find no merit; the extraordinary prerogative of Thy Grace is the more boldly brought out.”. “Stephen, therefore, is a martyr by a martyrdom of which men can judge, for he gave this evident proof of his sufferings being felt and accepted, that, at the very moment of his death, his solicitude both for his own soul and for those of his persecutors increased; the pangs of his bodily passion were less intense than the affection of his soul’s compassion, which made him weep more for their sins than his own wounds. It didn’t necessarily have to be this way. Attacks upon innocents have increased with people killing them through abortion. Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents. These Holy Innocents are, in a sense, the first martyrs for … This displays the exuberance of God’s mercy, whereby the Holy Innocents are saints. The merit is found in a pure act of God’s goodness. It is very reasonable, useful, and worthwhile to pray to these children to protect you. It is a first-century feast that has been kept in the West from the 4the century. The Holy Innocents were called that not because they didn’t have sin. Considering this plan on a global scale, we can imagine a high number of righteous souls going to Heaven. It has been translated and adapted for publication without his revision. Outside of the chastisement foreseen at Fatima, I see no remedy for this problem. Considering this plan on a global scale, we can imagine a high number of righteous souls going to Heaven. Proudly created with Wix.com, Charity Number (Revenue): CHY 20680 / Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20082277, Your personal data will be processed by Irish Society for Christian Civilisation (ISFCC), a registered charity: CHY 20680 / CRA 20082277 (data controller) ... Read more, © Irish Society for Christian Civilisation, Why the Holy Innocents Are Martyrs Due to God’s Goodness, Pray to the Natural Patron Saints of Your Families, © 2023 by Name of Site. Click here to order your Free 2021 Ireland Needs Fatima Calendar. Proudly created with. Reading 1 . The Holy Innocents, Martyrs. 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. 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 merit is found in a pure act of God’s goodness. This is an opportune suggestion on the feast of the Holy Innocents. 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