TODAY IS HOLY INNOCENTS DAY

How many Holy Innocents were killed by King Herod?

The number may surprise you.

Ever since the 5th century the Church has commemorated a separate day in memory of the children killed by King Herod after Jesus’ birth. Matthew is the only one to record the event and the details surrounding it are slim.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. – Matthew 2:16

This type of senseless action was typical of Herod, a deranged ruler who also killed his wife and two sons during his lifetime. Herod’s immediate response to those who opposed him was to eliminate them.

The biblical episode is usually labeled a “massacre,” to emphasize the ruthless spilling of innocent blood. It was a terrible act, though it pales in comparison to the modern day killing of innocent children throughout the world.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “The Greek Liturgy asserts that Herod killed 14,000 boys (ton hagion id chiliadon Nepion), the Syrians speak of 64,000, [and] many medieval authors of 144,000.” However, this number of children is greater than the entire population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Professor William F. Albright “estimates that the population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth to be about 300 people. The number of male children, two years old or younger, would be about six or seven.” Other scholars claim the number was between 10 – 20 male children in Bethlehem and the surrounding area.

This low number of deaths is the likely explanation for why there exist no secular historical accounts of the massacre. Simply put, a handful of children killed by a local ruler was not “noteworthy” enough.

Regardless of how many children were killed, their deaths were a horrible atrocity, and Jesus could have been part of that number if Joseph had not been warned to flee beforehand.

The Church’s commemoration of the event reminds us of the sanctity of all human life. In the end it doesn’t matter how many children were killed. The Church honors their memory whether it was 100 children or a single child that was killed.

All life is precious, especially any innocent child killed at the beginning of life.

POPE FRANCIS ON THE POWER OF BABY JESUS

POPE FRANCIS ON THE POWER OF BABY JESUS:

 "The power of this Child, Son of God and Son of Mary, is the power of love. It is the power which created the heavens and the earth, which gives life to all creation. It is the power which gives new birth, pardons faults, reconciles enemies, and transforms evil into good. It is the power of God."

PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS from VATICAN RADIO FB PAGE.

A Prayer to See the World in Jesus’ Light During the Holidays

A Prayer to See the World in Jesus’ Light During the Holidays

It’s easy to get caught up in all the commercial aspects of the holiday season, but the real reason for the season is Jesus. In declaring Himself to be the Light of the World, Jesus was claiming that He is the exclusive source of spiritual light. No other source of spiritual truth is available to mankind. When Jesus Christ was brought into the world, He took out darkness. If you want to reflect on Jesus as light during the holiday season, say this prayer:

Dear Jesus, as we celebrate Your birth may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding You give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship You in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in the season of giving. Amen.

Catholic Prayers: A Prayer for Those Alone During Christmas

Catholic Prayers: A Prayer for Those Alone During Christmas: A Prayer for Those Alone During the Holidays While many people are fortunate enough to spend the holidays with family and friends...

A Prayer for Those Alone During Christmas

A Prayer for Those Alone During the Holidays

While many people are fortunate enough to spend the holidays with family and friends, there are also many people who are going to spend much or all of the holiday season alone. No matter the reason that you or someone else you know many be alone for the holidays, you can make it wonderful through prayer and intention. If you are alone this Christmas, pray this pray:

Heavenly Father, the holiday season can be quite a trial and even a deep sadness to many people, especially those that are alone at this time. Draw very close we pray to those that are alone and lonely over this holiday time and may they discover closeness in their relationship with You that perhaps they did not enjoy before. Amen.

BABY JESUS IN THE ARMS OF PADRE PIO DURING CHRISTMAS MASS

Witnesses attest to seeing a vision of the Baby Jesus in the arms of Padre Pio. 

This article is adapted from unknown author for the purpose of sharing to inspire and uplift our Catholic spiritual life. 

St. Padre Pio loved Christmas. He held a special devotion to the Baby Jesus ever since he was a child.

According to Capuchin priest Fr. Joseph Mary Elder, “At his home in Pietrelcina, he prepared the crib himself. He would often begin working on it as early as October. While pasturing the family’s sheep with friends, he would search for clay to use to fashion the small statues of shepherds, sheep, and the magi. He took particular care in crafting the infant Jesus, making and re-making it continually until he felt he had it just right.”

This devotion remained with him during his entire life. In a letter to spiritual daughter, he wrote, “When the Holy Novena begins in honor of the Baby Jesus, it felt as though my spirit were being born again to a new life. I felt as though my heart were too small to embrace all our heavenly blessings.”

Midnight Mass in particular was a joyous celebration for Padre Pio, who celebrated it every year, taking many hours to carefully celebrate the Holy Mass. His soul was lifted up to God with great joy, a joy that others could easy see.

Additionally, witnesses have recounted how they would see Padre Pio holding the Baby Jesus. This was not a porcelain statue, but the Baby Jesus himself in a miraculous vision.

Renzo Allegri recounts the following story.

We were reciting the rosary while waiting for the Mass. Padre Pio was praying with us. All of a sudden, in an aura of light, I saw the Baby Jesus appear in his arms. Padre Pio was transfigured, his eyes gazing upon the glowing child in his arms, his face transformed by an astonished smile. When the vision disappeared, Padre Pio realized from the way I was looking at him that I had seen everything. But he drew close to me and told me not to mention it to anyone.

A similar story is told by Fr. Raffaele da Sant’Elia, who lived next to Padre Pio for many years.

I had got up to go to the church for the Midnight Mass of 1924. The corridor was huge and dark, and the only illumination was the flame of a small oil lamp. Through the shadows I could see that Padre Pio, too, was making his way to the church. He had left his room and was making his way slowly along the corridor. I realized he was swathed in a band of light. I took a better look and saw that he had the Baby Jesus in his arms. I just stood there, transfixed, in the doorway of my room, and fell to my knees. Padre Pio passed by, all aglow. He didn’t even notice I was there.

These supernatural events highlight the deep and abiding love of Padre Pio for God. His love was further marked by simplicity and humility, with a heart wide open to receive whatever heavenly graced God had planned for him.

May we too open our hearts to receive the Baby Jesus on Christmas day and let God’s unfathomable love overcome us with Christian joy.

SAY THIS MIRACULOUS PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS

It was revealed to a priest in a private revelation he had of the Virgin Mary.

The famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague has a long and very complex history, one that involves a miraculous discovery by Carmelite priest, Venerable Cyril of the Mother of God, in 1637.

He was the priest who restored the statue after it was badly damaged and, in the process, experienced a private revelation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the vision, Our Lady gave to Cyril a powerful prayer to the Infant Jesus, one that has been known to be “efficacious” and secure that which is petitioned. It has been passed down through the ages and remains a staple in any devotion to the Infant Jesus.

O Child Jesus, I have recourse to You through Your Holy Mother; I implore You to assist me in this necessity, for I firmly believe that Your Divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Your holy grace. I love You with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and entreat You, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome them.

I am firmly resolved never to offend You again and to suffer everything rather than displease You. Henceforth, I wish to serve You faithfully. For love of You, O divine Child, I will love my neighbor as myself. O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I entreat You again to come to my assistance in this necessity. [Mention it here].

Grant me the grace of possessing You eternally with Mary and Joseph and of adoring You with Your Holy Angels and Saints. Amen.