Homily for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

On this feast day of the Holy Innocents, we recall the tragic massacre of children at the hands of King Herod. When King Herod heard of the infant born who would be King of the Jews, he was greatly disturbed, and began planning to oust him. He asked the Magi to visit this king and tell Herod where to find him, but, having been vested by an angel, the Magi did not report back. Not knowing where to find this infant, Herod then ordered that all boys under the age of two be slain. These are the lives we remember on the Feast of the Holy Innocents.