4th Day In The Octave Of Christmas

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

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 pursues the Child, born King of the Jews. It is this God-King that the Innocents by dying confess. Their passion is the exaltation of Christ.
(The Roman Missal, 1962)





Flowers of Martyrdom, all hail!
Smitten by the tyrant foe
On life's threshold, as the gale
Strews the roses ere they blow.

First to bleed for Christ, sweet Lambs!
What a simple death ye died!
Sporting with your wreaths and palms,
At the very altar side.

Honour, glory, virtue, merit
Be to thee, O Virgin's Son!
With the Father, and the Spirit
While eternal ages run. Amen

V. Under the throne of God, all the Saints cry:
R. Avenge our blood, O our God.