The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis marked the Feast of the Holy Innocents, three days after Christmas, in a social media post that called for action in service of life.

Dec. 28 is set aside on the Roman Catholic Calendar to mark the slaughter of infants after Jesus' birth in an effort to kill Jesus.

"On this day, we remember the children of Bethlehem massacred by King Herod," the Archdiocese said in its Facebook post that day.

The post also issued a Christmas challenge.

"Donate your time or resources to a local pregnancy center," the post said. "Pray for the women and families who are faced with crisis pregnancies."

The post also linked to a Word on Fire online article about the Feast of the Holy Innocents, who were essentially the first martyrs - if unknowing - since Christ's birth.

The article refers to the "Coventry Carol," which originated in a 16th century mystery play "Pageant of the Shearman and Tailors." The mystery play recalls the young Bethlehem children slaughtered at the command of King Herod, who ruled Judeo in collaboration with the occupying Roman Empire, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.

The Gospel tells us that an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him to take Jesus and his mother, Mary, and flee into Egypt, warning him that "For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him."

Shortly after, Herod ordered the killing of all male children two and younger in Bethlehem.

The Coventry Carol is sung in the play by mothers whose children had been murdered, combining their lament with a gentle cadences lullaby.

One verse in the carol is sung:

"Then woe is me, poor child for thee

And ever mourn and say;

For thy parting, no say nor sing

By by lully lullay"