Blog Home

‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ sounds a jolly carol without hinting that it was actually a catechetical device written by the Jesuits in the 16th century as a means of (secret) instruction of the basic teachings of the Catholic faith. Outward, and even private worship, was banned under the reign of Henry VIII until Elizabeth I. It was not uncommon at the time for homes to be raided since priests used to secretly baptize a child or give a dying person the Last Rites. So the faithful, especially the children, who are learning Christian values are safe from persecution, ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ was popularized.