Embracing the Holy Innocents

Two compassionate priests reminded Anni Harry that the sacrifice of the Holy Innocents and their parents can be a consolation to struggling moms today.

Years ago, as I was making my way back into the Church, I mentioned my dismay at my child’s antics during Adoration. I told the priest that it was a good thing it was just my son and myself in the chapel, since my son was treating church as his second home; I even pointed to my son’s wild behavior in the pews some days as further proof of how hard it was.

The priest looked at me and responded, “Do you think the Holy Innocents are being all quiet, demure, and acting perfectly up in Heaven? If you do, you’ve probably got another thing coming. I am sure they are up there thumping kneelers, rolling their halos up the aisle, and giggling as those around them try to shush them. God loves the little ones, their innocence, and their antics.”

After seeing my blank stare, this priest then explained the Holy Innocents to the relatively new revert: the young ones slaughtered by Herod.

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After a particularly hard Mass recently, one of my priests reminded me that the Holy Innocents were not much younger than my youngest, joining my kiddos in the pews at every Mass we attend.

The two priests don’t know each other, but they both knew exactly what to say to a mom struggling … the Holy Innocents, among the first martyrs of Christianity, lost their lives for Christ … before they had the chance to know Him. And, today, the Church honors their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of their moms, dads, and families who loved them dearly and fiercely.

Click to tweet:
The Holy Innocents lost their lives for Christ before they had the chance to know Him. #catholicmom

I hope every parent has a priest who embraces the Holy Innocents, and reminds those in the pews that the shenanigans, antics, and energy of little ones are reminders to embrace even God’s littlest ones … especially in the midst of Mass. If your priest doesn’t seem to know the Holy Innocents, pray that your priest gets to know their littleness and love in his life, and know you (as a parent) are lifted in prayer in a special way.

Holy Innocents, pray for us.

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