The Holy Innocents: The Flowers of the Martyrs
Innocence now comes to the Crib of Jesus.
The Liturgical Year:
The feast of the beloved Disciple is followed by that of the Holy Innocents. The Crib of Jesus — where we have already met and venerated the Prince of Martyrs and the Eagle of Patmos — has today standing around it a lovely choir of little Children, clad in snow white robes, and holding green branches in their hands.
The Divine Babe smiles upon them — He is their King; and these Innocents are smiling upon the Church of God. Courage and Fidelity first led us to the Crib; Innocence now comes and bids us tarry there. Herod intended to include the Son of God amongst the murdered Babes of Bethlehem. The Daughters of Rachel wept over their little ones, and the land streamed with blood; but the Tyrant's policy can do no more: it cannot reach Jesus, and its whole plot ends in recruiting an immense army of Martyrs for heaven.
These Children were not capable of knowing what an honor it was for them, to be made victims for the sake of the Saviour of the world; but the very first instant after their immolation, all was revealed to them. They had gone through this world without knowing it, and now that they know it, they possess infinitely better. God showed here the riches of his mercy — he asks of them but a momentary suffering, and that over, they wake up in Abraham's Bosom: no further trial awaits them, they are in spotless innocence, and the glory due to a soldier who died to save the life of his Prince, belongs eternally to them.
They died for Jesus' sake — therefore, their death was a real Martyrdom, and the Church calls them by the beautiful name of The Flowers of the Martyrs, because of their tender age and their innocence.
The connection of St. Stephen, St. John, and the Holy Innocents is thus explained by St. Bernard in his Sermon for the Feast of the Holy Innocents:
"In St. Stephen, we have both the act and the desire of Martyrdom; in St. John, we have only the desire; in the Holy Innocents, we have only the act.
Stephen, therefore, is a Martyr by a Martyrdom of which men can judge, for he gave this evident proof of his sufferings ... John was a Martyr by a Martyrdom which only Angels could see, for the proofs of his sacrifice being spiritual, only spiritual creatures could see them. But the Innocents were Martyrs to no other eye save thine, O God! Man could find no merit; Angel could find no merit: the extraordinary prerogative of thy grace is the more boldly brought out."
Extract from the works of St. Augustine:
"Today, dear brethren, we are celebrating the birthday of those little children, who, as the Gospel tells us, were slain by that most cruel king, Herod. And so let earth rejoice with exceeding great gladness, for she is the fruitful mother of a heavenly army of great virtue. he favor of their qicked enemy could never have done these little saints as good a turn as did his hatred. Today's most solemn feast shows clearly that, as evil was amplified against these Holy Innocents, so much the more was the grace of blessing poured out on them."
Fr. Andre Jean M. Hamon:
"Who is there that does not comprehend all the glory which accrued thereby to the Holy Innocents? To give testimony to Jesus Christ, not by words, but by blood; the first in the career of martyrs; the first victims immolated like tender lambs, the first flowers of the harvest of martyrs; who can understand such happiness?
Their mothers, who knew nothing of the mystery of grace, were inconsolable. Thus, do we act ourselves in certain circumstances which are the effects of divine mercy. Let us learn from hence to abandon ourselves with confidence and love to Providence, Who, knowing better than we do what is bet, knows how to draw good out of what seems to us to be evil, and disposes everything for the greatest good of His elect."
Dom Prosper Gueranger:
Holy Innocents, you gazed upon the murderers who broke your gentle sleep, and you found nothing to make you fear; the bright sword they held over your cradle had but the look of a toy with which you asked to play; death stared you in the face, and you smiled on him. May we imitate you, and be meek and graceful in the trials that come to us; making them our martyrdom by the quiet endurance of our courage, and the conformity of our will with that of our Sovereign Lord and Master, Who only gives the cross that He may give the crown.”
Oremus.
Blessed babes! What glad awakening was yours from the darkness of unconscious infancy to the precious light of Abraham's bosom where were congregated all the elect! Too young to fight the battle, yet you won the crown. The martyr's palm waved in those tiny hands which had not strength to pluck it.
Flowers of Martyrs! The God that has glorified you is our last end as truly as He is yours. in Him alone can our hearts find rest. Pray for us that we may possess Him for all eternity.
Pray for us that we may obtain child-like simplicity of heart whence comes that unreserved confidence in God which leads man to the perfect accomplishment of His holy will.
May we bear the cross with patience when he sends it, and desire nothing but His holy will.