Double of the Second Class Feast of THE HOLY INNOCENTS

Purple Vestments

Within the Octave of the Nativity

Missa "Ex ore infántium"

   The wily king Herod, who was reigning in Judea at the time of the birth of Our Savior, learned from three Wise Men from the East that they had come to Jerusalem, advised by a star in the Heavens, in search of the newborn King of the Jews. Herod’s superstitious fear of losing his throne was awakened, and he grew troubled. He called together the chief priests, questioned them, and learned from them that the awaited Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. He said to the strangers: “When you have found Him, bring me word, that I too may go and adore Him.”

   The star which had guided the Magi re-appeared over Bethlehem, and they found the Infant and adored Him, and offered Him their royal gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, recognizing by these His perfect Divinity, His royalty, and His prophesied sufferings. God warned them in a dream afterwards not to go back to Herod, and they returned to their lands, rejoicing, by a different route. Saint Joseph, too, was warned during his sleep by an Angel to take the Child and His Mother Mary and flee into Egypt, for Herod will seek the life of the Infant.

   When Herod realized that the Wise Men would not return, he was furious, and in his rage ordered that every male child in Bethlehem and its vicinity, of the age of two years or less, be slain. These innocent victims were the flowers and first-fruits of the Savior’s legions of martyrs; they triumphed over the world without having ever known it or experienced its dangers.

   The relics of the Holy Innocents are said to have been preserved in the splendid church of St. Paul's; the station of today, however, was determined by the delicate feeling of the ancient liturgy that the great solemnities of the year should always be celebrated by a station at the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul. At a very early date the feast of the Holy Innocents was placed near the feast of Christmas; hence in Rome this day was observed as a day of mourning and penance. Purple vestments were used and the faithful abstained from flesh meat and foods cooked in fats. The fast, however, is no longer observed. The Gospel describes the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt and the massacre of the Innocents. How short-sighted is human scheming! At the very time that it tries to thwart the designs of almighty God, it is just then that it merely serves them the better. Herod is desirous of slaying the newborn Messias; this he fails to do, but sends instead a number of innocent babes into Limbo, there to proclaim His coming, while the Savior goes forth to enlighten and to bless the land of Egypt.

    We want to thank the Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for expediting these resources of the Propers. Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945

Missa "Ex ore infántium "

Go to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
INTROIT: Psalms 8: 3
      Ex ore infántium Deus, et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos. (Ps. 8: 2) Dómine Dóminus noster: quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra! v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen.
      Repeat Ex ore infántium...
      Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings, O God, Thou hast perfected praise because of Thine enemies. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
      Repeat For princes sat...
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      COLLECT
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Oremus.
      Deus, cujus hodiérna die præcónium Innocentes Mártyres non loquéndo, sed moriéndo conféssi sunt: ómnia in nobis vitiórum mala mortífica; ut fidem tuam, quam lingua nostra lóquitur, étiam móribus vita fateátur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum: Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration of the Nativity
      Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut nos Unigeniti Tui nova per carnem nativitas liberet; Quos sub peccati jugo vetustat servitus tenet. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      Let us pray.
      O God, Whose praise the martyred innocents did this day proclaim, not by speaking, but by dying, do to death in us all the malice of sinfulness, that our lives may also proclaim Thy faith, which our tongues profess. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee. in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
      world without end.
      R.Amen.

      Commemoration of the Nativity
      Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the new birth of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
      world without end.
      R.Amen.

      EPISTLE: Apocalypse 14: 1-5
      Léctio libri Apocalýpsis. beáti Joánnis Apóstoli In diébus illis: Vidi supra montem Sion Agnum stantem, et cum eo centum quadragínta quátuor míllia, habéntes nomen ejus, et nomen Patris ejus scriptum in fróntibus suis. Et audívi vocem de cælo, tamquam vocem aquárum multárum, et tamquam vocem tonítrui magni: et vocem, quam audívi, sicut citharædórum citharizántium in cítharis suis. Et cantábant quasi cánticum novum ante sedem, et ante quátuor animália, et senióres: et nemo póterat dicere cánticum, nisi illa centum quadragínta quátuor míllia, qui empti sunt de terra. Hi sunt, qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: vírgines enim sunt. Hi sequúntur Agnum, quocúmque ierit. Hi empti sunt ex homínibus primítiæ Deo, et Agno: et in ore eórum non est invéntum mendácium: sine mácula enim sunt ante thronum Dei.
      Deo Gratias.
      Lesson from the book of the Apocalypse of blessed John the Apostle. In those days I saw upon Mount Sion a Lamb standing, and with Him a hundred forty-four thousand having His name, and the name of His Father, written on their foreheads. And I heard a noise from heaven, as the noise of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder; and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers, harping on their harps. And they sung as it were a new canticle, before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the ancients; and no man could say the canticle, but those hundred forty four thousand who were purchased from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were purchased from among men, the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb; and in their mouth there was found no lie; for they are without spot before the throne of God.
      Thanks be to God.
      GRADUAL: Psalm 123: 7, 8
      Anima nostra, sicut passer erépta est de láqueo venántium. V. Láqueus contrítus est, et nos liberáti sumus: adjutórium nostrum in nómine Dómini, qui fecit cælum et terram. Allelúja, allelúja. V. (Ps. 112: 1) Laudáte púeri, Dóminum, laudáte nomen Dómini. Allelúja.
      Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers. V. The snare is broken, and we are delivered; our help is in the name of the Lord, Who hath made Heaven and earth. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps. 112: 1) Praise the Lord, ye children, praise the name of the Lord. Alleluia.
      GOSPEL:   Matthew 2: 13-18
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum..
      R.Gloria tibi, Domine

      In illo témpore: Angelus Dómini appáruit in somnis Joseph, dicens: Surge, et áccipe púerum, et matrem ejus, et fuge in Ægyptum, et esto ibi usque dum dicam tibi. Futúrum est enim, ut Heródes quærat púerum ad perdéndum eum. Qui consúrgens accépit púerum, et matrem ejus nocte, et secéssit in Ægyptum: et erat ibi usque ad obitum Heródis: ut adimplerétur quod dictum est a Dómino per Prophétam dicéntem. Ex Ægypto vocávi Fílium meum. Tunc Heródes videns quóniam illúsus esset a Magls, irátus est valde, et mittens occídit omnes púeros, qui erant in Béthlehem, et in ómnibus fínibus ejus, a bimátu et infra, secúndum tempus quod exquisíerat a Magis. Tunc adimplétum est quod dictum est per Jeremíam prophétam dicéntem: plorátus, et ululátus multus: Rachel plorans fílios suos, et nóluit consolári, quia non sunt.
      Laus tibi Christe.

      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
      R. Glory to Thee, O Lord

      At 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 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.
      Praise be to Christ

      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CREDO
      OFFERTORY:    Psalm 123: 7
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Anima nostra sicut passer erépta est de láqueo venántium láqueus contrítus est, et nos liberáti sumus.
      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are delivered.
      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
      SECRET
      Sanctórum tuórum, Dómine, nobis pia non desit orátio: quæ et múnera nostra concíliet, et tuam nobis indulgéntiam semper obtíneat. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration of the Nativity
      Oblata, Domine, munera, nova Unigeniti Tui nativitate sanctifica: nosque a peccatorum nostrorum maculis emunda. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Let not the gracious prayer of Thy saints fail us, O Lord, both to render our offerings acceptable to Thee and ever to obtain Thy pardon for us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God World without end.
      R.Amen.

      Commemoration of the Nativity
      Sanctify, O Lord, the gifts offered to Thee, by the new birth of Thine Only-begotten Son: and cleanse us from the stains of our sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God World without end.
      R.Amen.

      PREFACE OF THE NATIVITY
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Sursum corda.
      R.Habemus ad Dominum.
      Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
      R. Dignum et justum est.
      Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: Quia per incarnati Verbi mysterium, nova mentis nostrae fulsit: ut dum visibiliter Deum cognoscimus, per hunc in invisibilium amorem rapiamur. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:
      SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...
      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      Lift up your hearts.
      R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
      Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
      R. It is meet and just.
      It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, for through the Mystery of the Word made flesh, the new light of Thy glory hath shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may through Him be drawn to the love things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of The glory, evermore saying:
      HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS
      COMMUNICANTES - INVOCATION OF THE SAINTS IN THE CANON
      For the Nativity of Our Lord
      Communicantes, et diem sacratissimum celebrantes, quo beatae Mariae intemerata virginitas huic mundo edidit Salvatorem: sed et memoriam venerantes, in primis ejusdem gloriosae semper Virginis Mariae, Genetricis ejusdem Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et beatorum Apostolorum ac Martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Andreae, Iacobi, Ioannis, Thomae, Iacobi, Philippi, Bartholomaei, Marrhaei, Simonis, et Thaddei: Lini, Clet, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Ioannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Damianis: et omnium Sanctorum tuorum; quorum meritis, precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protentionis tuae muniamur auxilio. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
      Communicating, and keeping this most holy day, on which the spotless virginity of blessed Mary brought forth a Savior to this world; and also reverencing the memory first of the same glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints, through whose merits and prayers, grant that we may in all things be defended by the help of Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
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      COMMUNION:    Matthew 2: 18
      Vox in Rama audíta est, plorátus, et ululátus: Rachel plorans fílios suos, et nóluit consolári, quia non sunt.
      A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and mourning: Rachel bewailing her children: and would not be comforted because they are not.
      POSTCOMMUNION
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Oremus.
      Votíva, Dómine, dona percépimus: quæ Sanctórum nobis précibus et præséntis, quæsumus, vitæ páriter et ætérnæ tríbue conférre subsídium. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration of the Nativity
      Oblata, Domine, munera, nova Unigeniti Tui nativitate sanctifica: nosque a pecatorum nostrorum maculis emunda. . Per eundem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      Let us pray.
      May the votive gifts, O Lord, of which we have partaken, through the intercession of the Saints gain for us help, both for this life and life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
      Forever and ever.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration of the Nativity
      Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that as the Savior of the world, born on this day, is the Author of our heavenly birth, so He may also be to us the Giver of immortality. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
      Forever and ever.
      R. Amen.

      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS




Feast of the Holy Innocents