← Hours

Christmas Time

Evening Prayer

Monday, December 28, 2026

Feast · The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Evening Prayer for Monday, December 28, 2026. You can scroll the whole Hour, or use Prayer space. Light is shorter.

Prayer Reading Mode: Scroll Mode
Hours Depth: Light
About today

Herod’s rage against the Child fell on the boys of Bethlehem. The Church names them martyrs: they died for Christ before they could speak his Name. Their feast on 28 December will not let Christmas become sentimental or safe. They are the first fruits of a kingdom Herod could not kill. Rachel still weeps, and the Church still prays. Ask today for the protection of children, for an end to the slaughter of the small, and for a King who reigns from a manger, not from fear.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs — Choose how you want to pray this hour:

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

Psalm I

Antiphon

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us — glory to God in the highest.

Psalm 141 (140):1–2

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

O Lord, I have cried out to you, hear me. Intend to my voice, when I cry out to you. Let my prayer be guided like incense in your sight: the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us — glory to God in the highest.

Magnificat

Antiphon

Holy is his name; we lay down the day’s greatness at his feet.

Luke 1:46–55

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Canticle

And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Savior. For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed. For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him. He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart. He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy, just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Holy is his name; we lay down the day’s greatness at his feet.

Intentions

Add your own personal intentions (opens in a new tab)

Shared by the community

For Mary and Dewey as they prepare for their upcoming wedding, may the Holy Spirit be with them and help grow their love for one another through Holy Matrimony.

R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.

For our household and those we carry in prayer.

R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing prayer

God our Father, you give the Church this day of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs. Let the grace of this Hour stay with us in work and rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Save a journal note

Journal notes stay private on your account. Sign in if you would like to keep a reflection here.

See Today's Prayers and Readings

An original Prayer on Fire offering for the hours of the day