«Why do children suffer?», Pope Francis insistently asked himself this question when interviewed by Fabio Fazio on February 6, 2022. On the day when the Church commemorates the Holy Innocents martyrs, we therefore want to ask ourselves the same question, not so much to seek answers to what remains a mystery, but rather to highlight the importance of protecting the little ones, first and foremost defending their right to life from conception and safeguarding them from every form of violence. Unfortunately, the suffering of the innocent is still a sadly relevant issue.
The Holy Innocents: flowers of the martyrs
The Gospel recounts a terrible act of violated innocence: Matthew narrates that Herod «sent to have all the children in Bethlehem and throughout its territory who were two years old and under killed» (Mt 2:16).
The Church has venerated these Innocents as martyrs since the earliest centuries and commemorates them close to Christmas because they were torn from life shortly after Christ came into the world. The death of the Holy Innocents confronts us with the paradox that they died in Christ’s place, while he came to die for them! The Holy Innocents, who lost their young lives for Christ and his Gospel, were among the first to enter the joy of eternal life.
Prudentius, a fourth-century poet, therefore calls them “flowers of the martyrs.” The Holy Innocents are the small vanguard of the army of martyrs who have testified and continue to testify with their blood to their belonging to Christ.
«Let the children come to me»
Unfortunately, as mentioned at the outset, the cry of the innocent continues to tear at our times: Pope Francis still urges us today to «listen to the lament and weeping of so many mothers, so many families, over the death of their children, their innocent children. A groan that we can continue to hear even today, that touches our souls and that we cannot and do not want to ignore or silence».
The Holy Innocents therefore remind us of the immeasurable dignity of children in Christ's eyes and in his Church: «let the children come to me», Jesus says, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like them, that is, to those who know how to rediscover the value of purity, innocence, and wonder.
Suffer with them
In the interview with Fabio Fazio referred to at the beginning, Pope Francis said: «A question I have never been able to answer and that sometimes scandalizes me a little is: “Why do children suffer? Why do children suffer?”. I cannot find explanations for this. I have faith, I try to love God, who is my father, but I ask myself: “But why do children suffer?”. And there is no answer. He is strong, yes, omnipotent in love. Hatred and destruction, on the other hand, are in the hands of another who, out of envy, sowed Evil in the world. But the Lord respects to the very end, always accompanies us, respects us. And then he allowed his son to die like that and let him go. It is an example of what God is like: he is not cruel; it is perhaps a mystery that we do not understand well, but in the relationship between God the Father and his Son, we can clearly see what is in God's heart when these things happen. And when this temptation comes to you, “why do children suffer?”, I find only one path: to suffer with them. And for me, Dostoevsky was a great teacher in this».
In the novel The Brothers Karamazov, the Author poses this tragic question about innocent suffering in the dialogue between Ivan and Alyosha and finds the only possible answer - one that does not resolve the mystery - solely in Christ's cross: Alyosha responds to Ivan's question about the innocent suffering of children by saying: «You have just said: is there, in the whole world, a being who can and has the right to forgive everything? But that being exists, and can forgive everything, every sin that has been committed, because he himself gave his innocent blood for everyone and everything».
And it is once again Pope Francis who, responding to a little girl during a visit to the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome, said: «Valentina, your question about children who suffer is great and difficult; I do not have an answer, I believe it is good for this question to remain open. Jesus did not give an answer in words either. Faced with certain cases that occurred at that time, involving innocent people who had suffered in tragic circumstances, Jesus did not give a sermon or a theoretical speech. This can certainly be done, but He did not do it. Living among us, He did not explain why people suffer. Jesus, instead, showed us the way to give meaning even to this human experience: He did not explain why people suffer, but by enduring suffering with love, He showed us whom we suffer for. Not why, but for whom».
The memorial of the Holy Innocents should therefore make us reflect on the centrality of children, on their freshness and innocence, which must always be defended.
We must never stop learning from children, true teachers of life: «Children have an innate capacity for wonder. We must learn from them to see the world with new eyes every day» (Gianni Rodari).
A prayer is available to download to ask for the protection and intercession of the Holy Innocent Martyrs.
O Holy Innocents, little martyrs close to the Heart of the Father and to that of Mary Most Holy, dry the tears of children, tenderly caress the sick and the elderly, and help men and women love life from the moment of conception until their last breath. For those mothers and fathers who rejected it through abortion, obtain for them the grace of God's forgiveness and peace in their hearts. For those who trample on and humiliate the poor and the innocent, intercede for sincere repentance and true conversion.
Grant wisdom to those in government so that they may promote laws in favor of life. Help us protect life from the womb; safeguard children so that they do not lose their innocence; help families welcome their children as a gift from God. Pray with us and for us so that humanity may rediscover love and respect for children and the innocent. Teach us to always love, welcome, protect, and serve that precious treasure which is life!
Holy Innocents, pray for us!
