THE HOLY INNOCENTS, BABY MARTYRS FOR CHRIST!
(Following this summary are the actual biblical verses, which tell about this event: St. Matthew, Ch. 2, verses 1–18)
The three Magi, Gaspar (Kaspar), Melchior, and Balthasar, followed a very large star, which they knew, from prophecies, would lead them to The King of kings. The Star led them to Jerusalem, where they went to ask Herod, the King of the Jews, where they could find the newborn King. Herod was not a true Jew, but he did value his power greatly — he had even had some of his own family murdered to safeguard his position as King. Herod must have figured that the Magi would not lead him to The Baby King, so he told the Magi to come back to Jerusalem after they had found The Newborn King, so that he could worship Him, as well. The Magi found The Baby Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem, adored Him, and gave Him their gifts of gold (gift for a king), frankincense (gift for a deity/god), and myrrh (gift for a sacrificial victim).
The Three Magi each had a dream later, during which our Lord let them know that they were to return to their countries by another route, because Herod had plans to murder Baby Jesus. When Herod realized that the Magi were not returning, he sent his soldiers out, with orders to murder all Jewish baby boys, who were two years old and younger. These babies were murdered in place of The Baby Jesus, so they became the first Martyrs for Jesus and were named The Holy Innocents. Their Feast is celebrated on December 28th.
This would be one of the greatest days on which to defend the Unborn Innocents, by informing others on abortion, chemical and surgical, by praying and/or demonstrating in front of a Planned Barrenhood site or an abortion mill, such as the ones on Main Street, Leroy and Amherst Streets in Buffalo. (The Planned Parenthood sites fill prescriptions for the “Pill”, which chemically murders more unborn innocents than surgical abortion ever could. See the webpage on this site — “Life Facts” to find out how.)
Please make the Novena to The Holy Innocents from A.D. 12/19 — 12/27:
O Holy Innocents, who so willingly died in place of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who came to earth to save Thee, please protect all Innocents in the Womb, of all times, from all evil and harm and help their mothers and fathers to lovingly welcome them into this world. Make sure that all medical personnel help the Innocents in the Womb, before, during, and after their births in every way possible to be born healthy and to remain healthy. Please help us to outlaw once again all “contraception”, all chemical and surgical abortion, and to bring about an end to all murder and exploitation of the Innocents in the Womb. Lastly, help all within and without The Church to work successfully to end the culture of death and to bring about the Culture of Life as the norm in our Church, our country, and our world, once again, in Thy Holy Names and in The Holy, Extended Family’s Name. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Anne, & Joachim, I love Thee; save souls! Amen.
[1] When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. [2] Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. [3] And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. [5] But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:
[6] And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel. [7] Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; [8] And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him. [9] Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. [10] And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
[11] And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [12] And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country. [13] And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. [14] Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: [15] That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
[16] Then 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. [17] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: [18] A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.”
(from drbo.org — Douay-Rheims Bible Online).
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