The Holy Innocents

 The fourth day of Christmas: The Feast of the Holy Innocents...

Today we remember those little children killed in the persecution of Herod in his attempt to kill Christ. Martyrs in dignity, Saints in their innocence, we ask their intercession:

For all persecuted for their faith...

For all innocent victims of violence...

For all children in poverty or abusive situations...

For child soldiers, child slaves, and children who are trafficked...

For all children have lost their lives before birth... and for those who have had their lives taken from them...

For all those who have lost a child...

May the Holy Innocents intercede for them and pray for us all! 

The ancient Coventry Carol provides the song for today, a lullaby for the Innocents: 

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child

By, by, lully, lullay

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child

By, by, lully, lullay

O sisters too, how may we do

For to preserve this day

This poor youngling for whom we sing

By, by, lully, lullay

Herod the king, in his raging

Charged he hath this day

His men of might, in his own sight

All young children to slay

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee

And ever morn and day

For thy parting neither say nor sing

By, by, lully, lullay