← Hours

Christmas Time

Midday Prayer

Monday, December 28, 2026

Feast · The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Midday 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

A child is born for us; come, let us adore him in the quiet.

Psalm 123 (122):1–2

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

I have lifted up my eyes to you, who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of the servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress, so our eyes are upon the Lord our God, until he may be merciful to us.

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

A child is born for us; come, let us adore him in the quiet.

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.

On this feast, keep us faithful in the ordinary hour, and let the joy of your saints remain with us.

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