Ss. Innocentium ~ Duplex II. classis

Commemoratio: Die IV infra Octavam Nativitatis

Sat, 12/28/24:

Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents, Mm, under the 1954 (double of the II class with simple octave) and 1962 (II class) rubrics.

Mass: Pro populo (1954 only). Proper Mass. Under the 1954 rubrics, unique among all feasts in the traditional Roman rite, violet vestments are worn; however, as today is not a penitential day (cf. Matters Liturgical, 1938, no. 541), flowers may decorate the altar, the organ may be played, and at solemn Mass deacon and subdeacon wear dalmatic and tunicle, respectively. Omit Gloria. Gradual/Tract. Credo. Preface of the Nativity. Proper Communicantes for Christmas in the Canon. Benedicamus. Commemoration of the octave of Christmas.

If, however, this feast is a double of the I class on the local calendar, or if it falls on Sunday, red vestments are worn, the Gloria is said, the Alleluia replaces the Tract, and Ite is said at the end of Mass (all as on the octave day).

Under the 1962 rubrics, Mass is celebrated as indicated above for when the feast is a double of the I class or falls on a Sunday under the 1954 rubrics. Red vestments, etc., with commemoration of the octave of Christmas. The octave day of the Holy Innocents is omitted from the 1962 calendar.

Office: Under 1954, festal office. Violet (red if a double of the I class on the local calendar of if this feast falls on Sunday). Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons. Omit Te Deum; in its place, proper responsory IX after lesson IX (unless this feast is a double of the I class on the local calendar or falls on Sunday). At Matins, psalms and antiphons from the common of several martyrs outside Paschaltide. At Lauds and the hours, psalms of Sunday (Prime = 53, 118.1, 118.2) with proper antiphons. All else from the proper. Proper collect. At Lauds, commemoration of the octave of Christmas. Omit suffrage. (LB236 Twitter/X.)

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Whose praise the Innocents, Your martyrs, this day proclaimed, not by speaking, but by dying, put to death in us all the wickedness of sin, so that Your faith which our tongue professes may be proclaimed also by our life.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Let us pray.
For Octave of Nativity
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.