Living Without School: The Holy Innocents.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

The Holy Innocents.

Today's feast is the feast of the
Holy Innocents.

These are the children mentioned in St. Matthew, ii, 16-18:

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. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Our Franciscan parish is having a Mass today for the Holy Innocents, with Bishop Fisher from the Archdiocese of Sydney in attendance.

We are very blessed with regard to our parish and priests.

According to A Continual Feast, it was customary in Europe of old to serve "baby food", typically gruel or cereal, to the youngest person in the family or monastery or convent.

I wonder if Anthony would like me to buy him some baby food!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: This is such a heart wrenching feast day...

The priest who did an advent reflection with some hs moms mentioned that in his order it is customary to let the youngest brother be in charge on this day. I'm thinking that Anthony would prefer that custom ;-); 12:49 pm
Leonie said...: I'm sure he would! :-); 7:36 pm
Anonymous said...: Being the youngest in our community I'm sure I would have preferred that tradition!!!; 1:30 pm
Leonie said...: lol, Fr! You didn't want baby food??; 1:54 pm
Anonymous said...: No I was thinking more of the tradition of the youngest being in charge!!!!; 11:22 pm
Leonie said...: Thats what I figured. There's something about the power that comes with being in charge....Which is why Anthony didn't get that option!lol!; 10:40 am

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Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.