Behind Enemy Lines
The Feast of the Holy Innocents and the Battle for the Soul of the City
As the darkness of night gave way to the dawning day, the stormy skies opened, and a gentle rain began to fall on the streets of New York City.
The city streets, slick with rain, reflected the falling footsteps of those shaking off their sleepiness and making their way to there jobs on a dreary Thursday morning.
But this Thursday would be unlike most for those on their regular morning commute— with subway cars filled with the flowing white and blue, blue and gray, and gray and black habits of a sea of nuns, making their own way to a destination deep within the heart of the City.
The day was the Feast of the Holy Innocents, a commemoration harkening back to the tragic slaughter of innocent children killed by a king so desperately clinging to power that he made the streets of Bethlehem run red with their blood.
At 7:30 a.m., the doors opened at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents on West 37th Street to a flood of friars, nuns, priests, and layfolk, all speaking in hushed tones and warmly greeting each other as they slid into the awaiting pews.
The angelic voices of the Sisters of Life drifted through the cavernous space as Bishop Peter Byrne made his way to the altar along with several priests of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal to celebrate Mass.
Fr. Lawrence Joseph CFR, whose leadership has been pivotal in New York City’s growing pro-life community, stood before the congregation delivering his homily.
“They died so that He might live…” he spoke of the innocent lives lost to Herod’s bloodlust.
And then, drawing the tragic parallel to the innocent lives lost to abortion, he said, “They died so that others could live as they wished…” the words echoing off the frescoed walls of the Shrine of the Holy Innocents in somber reverence.
The words not lost upon those gathered.
Those who unwaveringly pray and witness on the frontlines of the spiritual war thats claimed over 64 million souls, and left countless broken hearts throughout the world.
And adding to the gravity of the moment, the midtown Shrine of the Holy Innocents is also home to the world’s only Shrine of Children Who Have Died Unborn.
As Mass concluded, the Blessed Sacrament was placed gently in the monstrance on the altar after the final blessing. The gathered knelt in Adoration and began the Rosary in preparation for the procession through the concrete canyons of midtown that would soon begin.
They descended from the Shrine down the steep stone steps, rosary beads dangling. Each Hail Mary scratchily broadcast through small walkie-talkies piercing the cacophony of the big city streets.
The simple witness of the procession and the power of their prayers immediately impacted the people they encountered, bringing the City of Stone and Steel what it always longed for.
As the procession stepped through the puddles on 42nd Street, an awestruck family of tourists paused and blessed themselves, a deli worker came out to bow in reverence, and the Frirs prayed with passerby who begged a blessing.
Since its humble origins, New York City has always held the promise of a better life. A city whose message, as proclaimed by the poem etched in bronze at the base of the Statue of Liberty, welcomes the immigrant and all those who would be considered ‘unwanted’…
“With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
If there’s any place on earth that should be an icon for the right to life, it should be this one—with its big heart, big hopes, and big dreams.
The promise of this great City didn’t come from its broad avenues and skyscrapers; it came from the lives of those people who built it.
And today, those whose values echo those of their forebears took to the streets in Faith and solidarity.
Because the battle for right to life is the battle for the very soul of the City.
The victory can be achieved in only one way…
Through steadfast prayer, selfless sacrifice, and the profound power of Grace.
Blessed New Year Jeffrey!
I love your images and your amazing stories and words!!
I read how you struggled to grow in writing and want you to know how much your work has ministered to me.
Your stories create a beautiful picture and help me to see the hope and beauty of the lives of the priests, religious sisters and brothers!
May God continue to bless you with His grace and fortitude 🙏🤗💕
I was raised in NYC and if I come back someday, will plan on visiting this amazing shrine!
Thank you 🙏🏼 I hold some of the words written here in my heart now and will share them with the respect life group in Church. Your photographs and words bring so much meaning to many, Jeff.
God Bless and Happy New Year to you and your family.