Holy Innocents

Did you know that today is the feast of the Holy Innocents?

As Wikipedia describes it, "The Massacre of the Innocents is an episode of infanticide by the king of Iudaea Province, Herod the Great. According to the Gospel of Matthew Herod ordered the execution of all young male children in the village of Bethlehem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn King of the Jews whose birth had been announced to him by the Magi. The incident, like others in Matthew, is described as the fulfillment of a passage in the Old Testament read as prophecy, in this case a reading of Jeremiah: "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children. The infants, known as the Holy Innocents, have been claimed as the first Christian martyrs."

As we remember the Holy Innocents from Bethlehem, let us pray for all of the Holy innocents today who will be killed by abortion. Mary, pray for us!

There's something about Mary and the Saints

Last night we talked about the Saints and Mary because it was All Saints day. We will continue to learn more about Mary as we talk about Jesus' humanity in next week's class: Who is Jesus? Part 3 - Work of our salvation. (And don't worry, I promise we will continue to learn more about the Saints too in future classes)

In case you missed it, our last post had some helpful links about Mary and the Saints. I've also included one more website that I found helpful in learning more about Mary.

http://www.ancient-future.net/praymary.html 

Many of the website's contributors are converts to the Catholic faith, and they do a good job explaining Catholicism to help Christians understand Catholic teaching, practice, spirituality and morality. 

The Saints and Mary

In tonight's class we discussed Saints and Mary and how she is a key part of our Catholic theology.

If you're still curious about her and would like to learn more, here are some great resources:

The Blessed Virgin Mary - NewAdvent.org

Mary (mother of God) - Wikipedia

Theotokos - Wikipedia

Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic) - Wikipedia

Marian Theology Book Suggestions - Aquinas & More

Also, here is more information about some of the Saints that we mentioned (and more!) and their patronage:

The Archangels:

St. Michael the Archangel: sailors, policemen, warriors, Germany, Guardian of the Catholic Church; protector of the Jewish people

St. Gabriel the Archangel:  messengers, those who work for broadcasting and telecommunications such as radio and television, remote sensing and postal workers

St. Raphael the Archangel: apothecaries; blind people; bodily ills; diocese of Madison, WI, druggists; archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa; eye problems; guardian angels; happy meetings; insanity; lovers; mental illness; nightmares, nurses; pharmacists; physicians; archdiocese of Seattle, Washington; shepherds; sick people; travelers; young people

St. Augustine: brewers, printers, theologians, 

St. Francis of Assisi: animals, the environment, Italy, merchants, stowaways

St. Dominic: astronomers, astronomy, falsely accused people, The Dominican Order

St. Joseph: The Catholic Church, unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death, Vietnam, Philippines

St. Therese of Lisieux: missionaries; France; Russia; AIDS sufferers; florists and gardeners; loss of parents; tuberculosis

St. Monica (Augustine's mother): Those who have difficult marriages, disappointing children, victims of adultery or unfaithfulness, victims of (verbal) abuse, and conversion of relatives

St. Charles Borromeo: colic; intestinal disorders; seminarians; spiritual directors; spiritual leaders; starch makers; stomach diseases

St. Maria Goretti: crime victims, teenage girls, modern youth, Children of Mary

St. Agnes: betrothed couples, chastity, crops, rape victims, virgins

St. Dymphna: mental disorders, neurological disorders, runaways, victims of incest

St. Peter: laborers, foot problems, fevers, longevity, The Papacy

What is "All Saints Day"?

"All Saints Day", also knows as "All Hallows", is celebrated ever year on November 1st to celebrate all of the souls in heaven (Saints), both known and unknown.  It is followed by "All Souls Day" on November 2nd which is celebrated for all those who are awaiting Heaven in purgatory.

In the Roman Catholic Church "All Saints Day" is a "Holy Day of Obligation".  With Sundays being the clearest example, there are specific days during the year in which the Church asks us to attend Mass called "Holy Days of Obligation".

For the history of this Holy Day, Wikipedia provides an excellent step-by-step account.

A great prayer from the "Liturgy of the Hours", a Catholic form of daily prayer, from "All Saints Day" is:

Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.