Second Sorrow of Mary
The Flight into Egypt 
and the Killing of the Holy Innocents

Matthew 2:13-18

"A Spiritual Battle, A Holy Journey!"

It was a spiritual battle between the army of God and the army of Satan.

      (Our Father)

Satan, through King Herod, was determined to kill the Infant Jesus, the One who was born to save souls. But God was not ready for His Son to die, so He sent an angel to warn Joseph to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. The forces of God worked silently to save the Holy One.                                              (Hail Mary)

The Blessed Mother Mary said "yes" to this suffering--in prompt obedience, active faith, and deepest humility--as she promptly arose, got their few belongings together, and with tender protectiveness, carried her Son (God's Son), with Joseph, to Egypt. Sorrowful Mother, please give us the graces of obedience, faith, and humility, to live more fully in God, who lives most fully in Your Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart.

                (Hail Mary)

Herod, when he realized that he had been tricked by the Magi, flew into a demonic rage and sent his soldiers to kill all of the boys in and around Bethlehem under the age of two. Satan, when he realized that the Holy Child would escape, took revenge on the Holy Innocents.                                       (Hail Mary)

"A voice was heard in Rama, weeping and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more." Sorrowful Mother, you wept with those mothers, inconsolable because they lost their precious little sons so violently. You continue to weep and lament for the murdered innocents and for their mothers. Merciful Father, please increase the Light of Your Son in this dark world. Compassionate Mother, please "spread the effect of grace of thy Flame of Love (Jesus) over all of humanity.                                                     (Hail Mary)

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculately Conceived, free from original sin, through the grace with which God filled her, remained sinless all of her life. Yet, she grew in virtue throughout her life. She and St. Joseph both wore the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-20. "Put on the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. They wore the belt of truth, the truth that the Infant Jesus is not only the Son of Mary; He is also the Son of God. He rested safe in the bosom of His Father. They wore the breastplate of righteousness, growing in faith, trust, and obedience. They walked in the peace of Christ, whom His Mother carried in her Heart, as well as in her arms.

                (Hail Mary)

It was a long journey from Bethlehem to Egypt, with little comfort and no conveniences. It was perhaps an even more difficult spiritual journey, with their faith, hope, and charity repeatedly tested during this time of suffering and sorrow.

                                  (Hail Mary)

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph please carry God's people throughout the nations out of the darkness and sin that has covered the world, into the Refuge of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

                        (Hail Mary)