In almost all families—if not among siblings, at least among cousins or somewhat distant relatives—there have been children baptized shortly before dying, who are in Heaven. However, such are our times that even this possibility of righteous souls going to Heaven is significantly reduced. First Reading 1 Jn 1: 5-22 We can be absolutely sure of their salvation and should pray and recommend ourselves to their prayers. On this occasion, we should remember that those that have canonised saints in their families should be very devoted to them. The noted Abbot Prosper Guéranger comments on a passage from Saint Bernard’s Sermon of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The massive campaigns against child mortality have fortunately resulted in fewer such deaths. 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 feast of the Holy Innocents has been celebrated in the West since at least the fifth century, where it appears in … This displays the exuberance of God’s mercy, whereby the Holy Innocents are saints. The day honors those that are considered to be martyrs because they not only died for Christ but instead of Christ. Since it is in doubt, would it be unwise to possibly misdirect prayers to them when they might not even be in heaven? 19:14),’ and in the mystery of my mercy, there shall be peace to men that cannot even use their will.”. Why the Holy Innocents Are Martyrs Due to God’s Goodness The massive campaigns against child mortality have fortunately resulted in fewer such deaths. Many more innocent souls will grow up and be corrupted through immorality and sins that will most likely send them to Hell. Angels cannot see what does not exist. 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. Thus, the thrones left empty by the angels that sinned, continue to be filled according to God’s plan. This comment is a bit complex but can be easily understood. 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. Holy Innocents, first small martyrs, pray for us and for unborn children. Attacks upon innocents have increased with people killing them through abortion. See more ideas about innocent, martyrs, orthodoxy. Achieving Christendom Is America’s Best ... Tragedy, Prophecy and Divine Providence ... Understanding the Social Function of Pri... TFP Rosary Campaign to Restore America Blog, December 26, 2019 | Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, https://www.facebook.com/Tradition.Family.Property.TFP/. Fulgentius of Ruspe(6th century) gives a homily De Epiphania, deque … This antiphon from Terce, the 3rd hour of prayer, references the account of Herod's slaughter in Matthew 2:16. Covid Did Not Increase the Death Rate in the U.S. However, not all families have canonised saints. This is the classic definition that we tend to use. 19:14),’ and in the mystery of my mercy, there shall be peace to men that cannot even use their will.”. A tiny child is born, who is a great king. Thus, when you have difficulties, remember the children who may have been born in your family and died shortly after their baptisms. Thus, the thrones left empty by the angels that sinned, continue to be filled according to God’s plan. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Thus, a legion of Innocents is in Heaven and continually prays for us. It has been translated and adapted for publication without his revision. The noted Abbot Prosper Guéranger comments on a passage from Saint Bernard’s Sermon of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Posted on January 25, 2016 by Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. “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. Thus, in great cities like Brazil’s São Paulo, where very bad people continually die, many souls also go to Heaven daily. This is a most beautiful thought that the peace to men of good will is extended even to men without wills. They are considered martyrs, but are they officially saints? This perspective helps us understand a little better how the world fits into God’s salvific plan for humanity. Outside of the chastisement foreseen at Fatima, I see no remedy for this problem. They come to adore one who lies in a manger and yet reigns in heaven and on earth. Man could find no merit; angel could find no merit; the extraordinary prerogative of Thy Grace is the more boldly brought out.”. They are the natural patron saints of your families. What! It was His gratuitous kindness, whereby He granted them the condition of martyrs because they died for Him. Dec 28 -The Holy Innocents, martyrs 28 December, 2012 . It is this God-King that the Innocents by dying confess (Collect). “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. We can be absolutely sure of their salvation and should pray and recommend ourselves to their prayers. St. John Kanty, whose day is before Christmas Eve, longed to be a martyr. 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, a legion of Innocents is in Heaven and continually prays for us. The definition of martyr is a bit more broad than simply to die willingly on behalf of Christ. Detail of the killing of the Holy Innocents by Giotto: I don’t know all the details of the theological discussion on this topic, but I highly respect the opinion of Dom Guéranger. 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…”. 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. It has been translated and adapted for publication without his revision. Church remembers the Holy Innocents this possibility of righteous souls going to Heaven is significantly.. He granted them the condition of martyrs because they died for Him also do the number of righteous souls to. To their prayers pure act of God ’ s goodness became furious Jewish. 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