The Holy Innocents

The Holy Innocents Martyrs Feast 1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Mt 2:13-18 (698) Pss Prop.

*Massacre of the Holy Innocents – Navez.

This unique portrayal of the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents by Herod’s men focuses on the sorrow of a mother for her dead boy and the fear which another mother has for her child who has not been seized. Artwork by F. Navez.

**The Massacre of the Innocents is the incident in the nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:16–18) in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male children two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. The Catholic Church regards them as the first Christian martyrs, and their feast – Holy Innocents’ Day (or the Feast of the Holy Innocents) – is celebrated on 28 December. Scholarly opinion is divided as to the historicity of the event.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Gal 4:4–5