Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28)

Sources for the chants Invitatory: LR 175 Hymn: LR 450 Antiphons: LR 176 ff (NI&II – Common of Several Martyrs); NIII - Antiphonale Synopticum Responsories:

Invitatory Ant. Regem Mártyrum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.

Hymn: Audit tyrannus anxius Adesse regum principem, Qui nomen Israel regat Teneatque David regiam. Exclamat amens nuntio: “Successor instat, pellimur; Satelles, i, ferrum rape, Perfunde cunas sanguine!” Quo proficit tantum nefas? Quid crimen Herodem iuvat? Unus tot inter funera Impune Christus tollitur. Gloria tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virgine, Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna sæcula. Amen.

WITH terror doth the tyrant hear the King of kings hath come to dwell where David's court shall widely rear A sceptered reign o'er Israel. Then cries out, raging at the word: "He comes to stand where we have stood: Hence, soldier, and with ruthless sword deluge the cradles deep with blood!" What profiteth a crime so dread? What hope shall Herod's bosom sway? Alone amidst the thronging dead, The Christ is safely born away! All honor, laud, and glory be, o Jesu, Virgin-born to Thee; all glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete.

Nocturn I: Jeremiah 31:15-23

Lectio 1: De Jeremia Propheta - Haec dicit Dominus: Vox in excelso audita est lamentationis: luctus, et fletus Rachel plorantis filios suos, et nolentis consolari super eis, quia non sunt.  Haec dicit Dominus: Quiescat vox tua a ploratu, et oculi tui a lacrimis, quia est merces operi tuo, ait Dominus, et revertentur de terra inimici: Et est spes novissimis tuis, ait Dominus, et revertentur filii ad terminos suos.

Reading 1: From Jeremiah the prophet - Thus saith the Lord: A voice was heard on high of lamentation, of mourning, and weeping, of Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted for them, because they are not. Thus saith the Lord: Let thy voice cease from weeping, and thy eyes from tears: for there is a reward for thy work, saith the Lord: and they shall return out of the land of the enemy. And here is hope for thy last end, saith the Lord: and the children shall return to their own borders.

R. Céntum quadragínta quatuor millia, qui empti sunt de terra, hi sunt qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: * Vírgines enim permansérunt, ideo regnant cum Deo, et Agnus Dei cum illis. V. Isti sunt qui venérunt ex magna tribulatióne, et lavarunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni. R. Vírgines enim permansérunt, ideo regnant cum Deo, et Agnus Dei cum illis.

R. An hundred, forty, and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth; these are they which were not defiled with women. * For they remained virgins; therefore are they kings before God, and the Lamb of God is with them. V. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb. R. For they remained virgins; therefore are they kings before God, and the Lamb of God is with them.

Lectio 2: Audiens audivi Ephraim transmigrantem: Castigasti me, et eruditus sum, quasi juvenculus indomitus: converte me, et convertar, quia tu Dominus Deus meus. Postquam enim convertisti me, egi pœnitentiam: et postquam ostendisti mihi, percussi femur meum. Confusus sum, et erubui, quoniam sustinui opprobrium adolescentiae meae.

Reading 2: Hearing I heard Ephraim when he went into captivity: thou hast chastised me, and I was instructed, as a young bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Convert me, and I shall be converted, for thou art the Lord my God. For after thou didst convert me, I did penance: and after thou didst shew unto me, I struck my thigh: I am confounded and ashamed, because I have borne the reproach of my youth.

R. Sub altáre Dei audívi voces occisórum dicéntium: * Quare non deféndis sánguinem nostrum? Et accepérunt divinum responsum: Adhuc sústinete módicum tempus, donec impleátur númerus fratrum vestrórum. V. Vidi sub altáre Dei ánimas interfectórum propter verbum Dei, et propter testimónium quod habébant, et clamábant voce magna, dicéntes. R. Quare non deféndis sánguinem nostrum? Et accepérunt divinum responsum: Adhuc sústinete módicum tempus, donec impleátur númerus fratrum vestrórum.

R. I heard under the altar the voices of them that were slain, saying: * How long dost Thou not avenge our blood? And it was said unto them from God Rest yet for a little season, until the number of your brethren be fulfilled. V. I saw under the altar of God the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held, and they cried with a loud voice, saying: R. How long dost Thou not avenge our blood? And it was said unto them from God Rest yet for a little season, until the number of your brethren be fulfilled.

Lectio 3: Si filius honorabilis mihi Ephraim, si puer delicatus! quia ex quo locutus sum de eo, adhuc recordabor ejus. Idcirco conturbata sunt viscera mea super eum: miserans miserebor ejus, ait Dominus. Statue tibi speculam; pone tibi amaritudines; dirige cor tuum in viam rectam in qua ambulasti: revertere, virgo Israël, revertere ad civitates tuas istas.	Reading 3:  Surely Ephraim is an honourable son to me, surely he is a tender child: for since I spoke of him, I will still remember him. Therefore are my bowels troubled for him: pitying I will pity him, saith the Lord.  Set thee up a watchtower, make to thee bitterness: direct thy heart into the right way, wherein thou hast walked: return, O virgin of Israel, return to these thy cities.
R. Adoravérunt vivéntem in sǽcula sæculórum, * Mitténtes corónas suas ante thronum Dómini Dei sui. V. Et cecidérunt in conspéctu throni in fácies suas: et benedixérunt vivéntem in sæcula sæculórum. R. Mitténtes corónas suas ante thronum Dómini Dei sui.	R. They worshipped Him That liveth for ever and ever. * And cast their crowns before the throne of the Lord their God. V. And they fell down upon their faces before the throne, and blessed Him That liveth for ever and ever. R. And cast their crowns before the throne of the Lord their God.

Lectio 4: Usquequo deliciis dissolveris, filia vaga? Quia creavit Dominus novum super terram: femina circumdabit virum. Haec dicit Dominus exercituum, Deus Israël: Adhuc dicent verbum istud in terra Juda et in urbibus ejus, cum convertero captivitatem eorum: Benedicat tibi Dominus, pulchritudo justitiae, mons sanctus.

Reading 4: How long wilt thou be dissolute in deliciousness, O wandering daughter? For the Lord hath created a new thing upon the earth: A woman shall compass a man. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: As yet shall they say this word in the land of Juda, and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring back their captivity: The Lord bless thee, the beauty of justice, the holy mountain.

R.  Vidi Agnum stantem supra montem Sion et cum eo sanctorum milia * Et habebant nomen ejus et nomen Patris ejus scriptum in frontibus suis V. Hi sunt qui tollentes crucem suam sequuntur agnum ubique R. Et habebant nomen ejus et nomen Patris ejus scriptum in frontibus suis V. Gloria Patri... R. Et habebant nomen ejus et nomen Patris ejus scriptum in frontibus suis.

R. I beheld a lamb standing upon mount Sion, and with him thousands of saints * And they had his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. V. These are they who taking up his cross, follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. R.And they had his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. V. Glory be... R. And they had his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.

Nocturn II 

  

Lectio 5: Sermo sancti Caesarii Epíscopi - Hódie, fratres caríssimi, natálem illórum infántium cólimus, quos ab Heróde crudelíssimo rege interféctos esse, Evangélii textus elóquitur. Et ideo cum summa exsultatióne gaudeat terra, cæléstium mílitum et tantárum parens fecúnda virtútum. Ecce profánus hostis numquam beátis párvulis tantum prodésse potuísset obséquio, quantum prófuit ódio.

Reading 5: Sermon of St Caesarius of Arles - Dearly beloved brethren, today we keep the birthday of those children, who, as we are informed by the Gospel, were massacred by the savage King Herod. Therefore let earth rejoice with exceeding joy, for she is the mother of these heavenly soldiers, and of this numerous host. The love of the vile Herod could never have crowned these blessed ones as hath his hatred.

R. Effudérunt sánguinem Sanctórum velut aquam in circúitu Jerúsalem: * Et non erat qui sepelíret. V. Posuérunt mortalia servórum tuórum escas volatílibus cæli, carnes sanctórum tuórum béstiis terræ. R. Et non erat qui sepelíret.

R. The blood of thy saints have they shed like water round about Jerusalem. * And there was none to bury them. V. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the air, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. R. And there was none to bury them.

Lectio 6: Nam, sicut sacratíssimum præséntis diéi festum maniféstat, quantum in beatos párvulos iníquitas abundávit, tantum in eis grátia benedictiónis refúdit. Beáta es, o Béthlehem terra Juda, quæ Heródis regis immanitátem in puerórum exstinctióne perpéssa es: quæ sub uno témpore candidátam plebem imbéllis infántiæ Deo offérre meruísti.

Reading 6: For the Church testifieth by this holy solemnity, that whereas iniquity did specially abound against these little saints, so much the more were heavenly blessings poured out upon them. Blessed art thou, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, which hast suffered the cruelty of King Herod in the slaughter of thy children; who art found worthy to offer at once to God a whole white-robed army of guileless martyrs!

R. Isti sunt Sancti, qui passi sunt propter te, Dómine: víndica eos, * Quia clamant ad te quotídie. V. Víndica, Dómine, sánguinem Sanctórum tuórum, qui effúsus est. R. Quia clamant ad te quotídie.

R. These holy ones suffered for thy sake, O Lord take vengeance for them. * For day by day they cry unto thee. V. Avenge, O Lord, the blood of thy saints which is shed. R. For day by day they cry unto thee.

Lectio 7: Digne tamen natálem illórum cólimus, quos beátius ætérnæ vitæ mundus édidit, quam quos maternórum víscerum partus effúdit. Síquidem ante vitæ perpétuæ adépti sunt dignitátem, quam usúram præséntis accéperent.	Reading 7: Surely, it is well to keep their birthday, even that blessed birthday which gave them from earth to heaven, more blessed than the day that brought them out of their mother's womb. Scarcely had they entered on the life that now is, when they obtained that glorious life which is to come.
R. Isti sunt, qui non inquinavérunt vestiménta sua:  * Ambulábunt mecum in albis, quia digni sunt. V. Hi sunt, qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: vírgines enim sunt. R. Ambulábunt mecum in albis, quia digni sunt. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Ambulábunt mecum in albis, quia digni sunt.	R. These are they which have not defiled their garments.* They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. V. These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins. R. They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Lectio 8: Aliórum quidem pretiósa mors Mártyrum laudem in confessióne proméruit, horum in consummatióne complácuit; quia incipiéntis vitæ primórdiis, ipse eis occásus inítium glóriæ dedit, qui præséntis términum impósuit. Quos Heródis impíetas lactántes matrum ubéribus abstráxit; qui jure dicúntur Mártyrum flores, quos in médio frígore infidelitátis exórtos, velut primas erumpéntes Ecclésiæ gemmas, quædam persecutiónis pruína decoxit.

Reading 8: We praise the death of other martyrs because it was the crowning act of an undaunted and persistent testimony; but these were crowned at once. He That maketh an end to this present life, gave to them at its very gates that eternal blessedness which we hope for at its close. They whom the wickedness of Herod tore from their mothers' breasts are rightfully called the flowers of martyrdom; hardly had these buds of the Church shown their heads above the soil, in the winter of unbelief, when the frost of persecution nipped them.

R. Ambulabunt mecum in albis, quoniam digni sunt * Et non delebo nomina eorum de libro vitae. V. Hi sunt, qui cum mulieribus non sunt coinquinati: virgines enim sunt. R. Et non delebo nomina eorum de libro vitae. V.  Gloria Patri... R. Et non delebo nomina eorum de libro vitae.

R. They shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy * And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life V. These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins R. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life V. Glory be... R. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life

Nocturn III: 

Ant 1: Innocentum passio Christi exsultatio: Herodes confusus est qui eos persecutus est. [Canticles: Wisdom 3: 1-6; 3:7-9; 10: 17-21]

Ant 1: The passion of the innocents is for the exsultation of Christ: Herod who persecuted them is put to confusion.

[Canticles: Wisdom 3: 1-6; 3:7-9; 10: 17-21]

Lectio 9: Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum - In illo témpore: Angelus Dómini appáruit in somnis Joseph, dicens: Surge, et áccipe Púerum et Matrem ejus, et fuge in Ægýptum, et esto ibi usque dum dicam tibi. Et réliqua. Homilía sancti Hierónymi Presbýteri - Quando tulit Púerum et Matrem ejus, ut in Ægýptum tránseat, nocte tulit, et in ténebris: quia noctem ignorántiæ his, a quibus ipse recéssit, relíquit incrédulis. Quando vero revértitur in Judǽam, nec nox, nec ténebræ ponúntur in Evangélio: quia in fine mundi Judǽi fidem, tamquam Christum ab Ægýpto reverténtem suscipiéntes, illuminabúntur.

Reading 9: From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew - In that time, an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. And so on. Homily of St Jerome -   He took the young Child, and His mother, and fled into Egypt, by night and in darkness; and the darkness of that night was a figure of the darkness of ignorance in which they left the unbelievers from whom they fled. But when they returned into Judaea, we learn not from the Gospel that it was by night, or in darkness; which is an image of that light which will lighten the Jews, when, at the end of the world, they shall receive back the faith, which now lighteneth the Gentiles, even as Judaea received Christ returning from Egypt.

R. Cantábant Sancti cánticum novum ante sedem Dei et Agni: * Et resonábat terra in voces eórum. V. Hi empti sunt ex homínibus primítiæ Deo et Agno, et in ore ipsórum non est invéntum mendácium. R. Et resonábat terra in voces eórum.

R. The saints sung a new song before the throne of God and the Lamb * And their voices were echoed on earth. V. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb, and in their mouth was found no guile. R. And their voices were echoed on earth.

Lectio 10: Ut adimplerétur quod dictum est a Dómino per prophétam dicéntem: Ex Ægýpto vocávi Fílium meum. Respondeant, qui Hebræórum volúminum dénegant veritátem, ubi hoc in Septuagínta legátur interprétibus. Quod cum non invénerint, nos eis dicémus, in Osée prophéta scriptum, sicut et exemplária probáre possunt, quæ nuper edídimus.

Reading 10: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying Out of Egypt have I called My Son. Those who go about to deny the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures, ask where any such passage is to be found in the Septuagint. But, although they find it not there, I tell them that the fact of its being written in the Prophet Hosea can be proved by the texts which I have lately published.

R. Vidi sub altáre Dei ánimas interfectórum propter verbum Dei quod habébant, et clara voce dicébant: * Víndica, Dómine, sánguinem Sanctórum tuórum, qui effúsus est. V. Sub throno Dei omnes Sancti clamant. R. Víndica, Dómine, sánguinem Sanctórum tuórum, qui effúsus est.

R. I saw under the Altar of God the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, which they held, and they cried with a loud voice: * Avenge, O Lord, the blood of thy saints, which is shed. V. Under the throne of God all the saints cry aloud. R. Avenge, O Lord, the blood of thy saints, which is shed.

Lectio 11: Tunc adimplétum est, quod dictum est per Jeremíam prophétam dicéntem: Vox in Rama audíta est, plorátus et ululátus multus, Rachel plorans fílios suos. De Rachel natus est Bénjamin, in cujus tribu non est Béthlehem. Quǽritur ergo, quómodo Rachel fílios Judæ, id est Béthlehem, quasi suos ploret.

Reading 11: Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the Prophet, saying; In Rama was there a voice heard, weeping and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children. The child of Rachel was Benjamin, and Bethlehem is not a town belonging to his tribe. We must therefore seek another reason why Rachel should weep for the children of Judah, to whom Bethlehem belongeth, as for her own.

R. Isti, qui amicti sunt stolis albis, qui sunt, et unde venérunt? Et dixit mihi: * Hi sunt, qui venérunt de tribulatióne magna, et lavérunt stolas suas, et dealbavérunt eas in sánguine Agni. V. Vidi sub altáre Dei ánimas interfectórum propter verbum Dei, et propter testimónium quod habebant. R. Hi sunt, qui venérunt de tribulatióne magna, et lavérunt stolas suas, et dealbavérunt eas in sánguine Agni.

R. What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And he said to me: * These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. V. I saw under the Altar of God the souls of them which were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. R. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.

Lectio 12: Respondébimus bréviter, quia sepúlta sit juxta Béthlehem in Ephráta; et ex matérno corpúsculi hospítio matris nomen accéperit; sive quóniam Juda et Bénjamin duæ tribus junctæ erant, et Heródes præcéperat non solum in Béthlehem intérfici púeros, sed et in ómnibus fínibus ejus.	Reading 12: The plain answer is that she is buried at Ephrath close to Bethlehem, and she is called Mother on account of the resting-place of her earthly tabernacle being there. It is possible also that she is called Mother because the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were joined together, and Herod slew not only all the children that were in Bethlehem, but also in all the coasts thereof.
R. Sub throno Dei sancti clamant: vindica sanguinem nostrum, * Deus noster V. Vindicta Domine sanguinem Sanctorum tuorum qui effusus est R. Deus noster V. Gloria Patri... R. Deus noster	R. the saints cried out from under the throne of God: revenge our blood * Our God V. Revenge, O Lord the blood of your saints that has been shed R. Our God V. Glory be... R. Our God

Gospel: Matthew 2: 13-18

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Mattaeum – In illo tempore: Qui cum recessissent, ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis Joseph, dicens: Surge, et accipe puerum, et matrem ejus, et fuge in Ægyptum, et esto ibi usque dum dicam tibi. Futurum est enim ut Herodes quærat puerum ad perdendum eum. Qui consurgens accepit puerum et matrem ejus nocte, et secessit in Ægyptum: et erat ibi usque ad obitum Herodis: ut adimpleretur quod dictum est a Domino per prophetam dicentem: Ex Ægypto vocavi filium meum. Tunc Herodes videns quoniam illusus esset a magis, iratus est valde, et mittens occidit omnes pueros, qui erant in Bethlehem, et in omnibus finibus ejus, a bimatu et infra secundum tempus, quod exquisierat a magis. Tunc adimpletum est quod dictum est per Jeremiam prophetam dicentem: Vox in Rama audita est ploratus, et ululatus multus: Rachel plorans filios suos, et noluit consolari, quia non sunt.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew - And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.  Then 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.