FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS (DEC. 28TH)

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today, on December 28th, we commemorate the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem, and we remember all other innocents who are still slaughtered, in abortion, infanticide and the murder of children. We ask that God would receive their souls, comfort them, and give them rest in His eternal embrace; and we pray for courage to bring these evils to an end around the world, and to stand for the innocent with all of our might as God’s Holy Church. 

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, ‘In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.’” (Matthew 2:16-18 KJV) 

COLLECT

ALMIGHTY GOD, who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify Thee by their deaths: Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by Thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may glorify Thy Holy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.