St. Bernardine was the greatest preacher of his time, the late 14th, early 15th century, attracting huge crowds, sometimes as large as thirty thousand.
Following his ordination as a Franciscan priest, at the age of 22, he lived in solitude and prayer for almost a dozen years. But he was urged by his order to make use of his extraordinary preaching skills, so he traveled from town to town, always on foot, preaching, gathering large crowds, and often speaking for several hours.
He is especially known for his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. At the end of his sermons he would display a tablet with the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek—I, H, S—Iota, Eta, Sigma—written in the gothic style against the background of a blazing sun. As this devotion spread, the symbol began to appear in churches, homes, vestments, art, and public buildings.
St. Bernardine said, “Glorious name, gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honor to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary” St. Bernadine is said to have performed many miracles, attesting to the power of the Holy Name of Jesus.
Jesus says in the Gospel today, “Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.” Certainly, one of those commandments is to love and honor the Holy Name, not to take the name of God in vain, but to use that name in prayer, praise, and petition.
When waiting in line at the grocery store or at a doctor’s office or in traffic, I like to slowly and simply recite the name of Jesus, to quiet the mind down enough where only the name of Jesus fills it. It’s a beautiful, simple, yet powerful way of praying, encouraged by the saints. In fact, many of the saints, at the moment of their deaths, have been found to be pronouncing with love and devotion Jesus’ name. His name means “God saves”, and we are to be his heralds.
St. Peter says in the book of Acts, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”. May we find healing and salvation from the sins and attitudes and circumstances which cripple us through the name of Jesus, and courage to be heralds of his Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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God the Father was glorified in the death and resurrection of his Son. Let us pray to him with confidence.
By the Holy Name of Jesus, may the Pope, All Bishops, and Priests, know courage and strength in preaching the Gospel and leading the Church.
By the Holy Name of Jesus, may our world be filled with peace, may government leaders work for life and the establishment of authentic justice.
By the Holy Name of Jesus, may our parish be delivered from all spiritual evil, heresy, irreverence, witchcraft and demonic influence, and all that keeps us from preaching and living the Gospel.
By the Holy Name of Jesus, may all the sick and suffering know the consolation that comes from the Heart of God.
By the Holy Name of Jesus, may all the faithful departed come to the glory of the Resurrection.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.
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