The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

The Holy Innocents were the young children of the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, all under the age of two, put to death by Herod in an attempt to kill the infant Jesus.  On this Feast of "Childermas", while still in the Christmas Octave, these innocent, nameless victims are honoured as the first to shed their blood for Christ. Cf. (CTS, New Daily Missal)

A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loudly lamenting:

it was Rachel weeping for her children,

refusing to be comforted because they were no more.

 

The Innocents were slaughtered as infants for Christ;

spotless, they follow the Lamb and sing for ever:

Glory to you, O Lord.

 
 

 

On this Feast of The Holy Innocents, We pray that the holy children

will  intercede for all parents who have lost children through violence.