“We are keeping the Octave of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, on which day holy Church makes us read the Gospel which describes how the Angel of the Lord told the glorious St. Joseph in a dream,that is to say when sleeping, that he must take the Child and the Mother and flee into Egypt, since Herod, jealous of his royalty, and fearing that Hewould take it away, was seeking Our Lord to put Him to death. Full of wrath because the three Kings had not returned to him in Jerusalem, hehad commanded that all the little children under two years of age should be put to death, believing that Our Lord was among them, and hoping by that means to ensure the possession of his kingdom.” St Francis de Sales, Spiritual Conferences, Chapter 3 ON CONSTANCY
This year we have seen the massacre of American innocents. Below are 3 memorials to them: one is making the rounds of Facebook; the second is a video as explained below and the third is a poem by a Visitandine of the United States.
Twas 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say. They remembered nothing of what happened earlier that day. “Where are we?” a…sked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. “This is heaven. ” declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at God’s house. ” When what to their wondering eyes should appear, but Jesus their savior, the children gathered near. He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then He opened His arms, and He called them by name. And in that moment was joy that only heaven can bring. Those children all flew into the arms of their King. And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face. And as if he could read all the questions she had, He gently whispered to her “I’ll take care of mom and dad.” Then He looked down on earth, the world far below, and He saw all the hurt, the sorrow and woe. Then He closed his eyes, and He outstretched His hands. Let My power and presence re-enter this land! May this country be delivered from the hands of fools! I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!” Then He and the children stood up without a sound. “Come now my children let me show you around.” Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran. All displaying enthusiasm that only a child can. And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, “In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT
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Below is a link to a song my daughter wrote for her cousin, Allison Wyatt, who we lost at the Sandy Hook school shootings in Connecticut and the music video she did for her and the nineteen other children who died.
Please pass it along it would be much appreciated!
Joe Maher
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Holy Inncocents
The Babe’s Light shines His presence
His Love splays rays anew
But- THEIR own childhood innocence
Bullets riddled through and through.
His gurgling laugh is holy
He uplifts hearts with joy.
THEIR meaning, though was solely
As Victim-souls, destroyed.
He comes amidst our sorrow
Arrives while still we mourn
He’ll have eternal morrows
THEY will never again see morn.
But- HE-WITH-THEM unites
Forever as ONE they are.
Held in His Heart so tight
When He’s here, they’re not far.
Seeing the Divine Infant
Filled with ineffable grace
We know in that instant
We view each lost child’s face.
Jesus’ perpetual Incarnation
In our troubled world, remains
Our only true consolation
The only Hope we claim.
12/22/12
by a Visitandine