September 12 2023 - The Most Holy Name of Mary - Invoke her fair name

 For many years, about 200 years actually in our own country, Mary was the most, or nearly the most popular name for baby girls. Around 1970 the name slipped out of the top 10, and starting in about 2009, Mary is no longer even in the top 100. No doubt this trend corresponds to a decline in the practice of the Catholic faith—which upholds such reverence for Mary, and loves and invokes her fair name. 

The Church celebrates the memorial of the Holy Name of Mary shortly after her birthday on September 8, just like we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus shortly after Christmas.

Richard of St. Laurence, a 13th century French theologian states "there is no such powerful help in any name, nor is there any other name given to men, after that of Jesus, from which so much salvation is poured forth upon men as from the name of Mary… the devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces.”  

"Thy name, O Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings," says St. Methodius, so much so, that St. Bonaventure declares, "that thy name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly."

Additionally, Thomas of Kempis affirms "that the devils fear the Queen of heaven to such a degree, that on hearing her great name pronounced, they fly from him who does so as from a burning fire." 

The Blessed Virgin herself revealed to St. Bridget "that there is not on earth a sinner, however devoid he may be of the love of God, from whom the devil is not obliged immediately to fly, if he invokes my holy name with a determination to repent."

The directives for the liturgy instruct us to bow our heads in reverence at the name of Jesus, at the name of Mary, and at the name of the Saint of the Day when they are mentioned in the prayers of the liturgy.  

When we pronounce her name, we affirm her power, we implore her aid, and place ourselves under her protection.  As she said “Yes” to God in full freedom and love, she helps us to do the same.

It is a privilege to know and to be able to call upon with Love the name of Mary.  At her name demons flee and angels rejoice.

May all come to have confidence in calling upon the holy name of Mary, to seek her protection and receive comfort and strength in the Christian life for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Pope Francis and all members of the Church, like the Virgin Mary, may magnify the goodness of God through word and deed.

That those in need of repentance will call upon the holy names of Jesus and Mary for help. 

That all Christians may find in Mary the example and strength to carry out our individual vocation, for the sanctification of all families, and the protection of all young people from the evils of error and sin.

For those who suffer any sort of trial, illness, addiction or trial: that the help of Our Lady, queen of heaven and earth, may fill them with the grace needed to carry their crosses with faith and hope 

For the deceased members of our family and friends, for all of the poor souls in purgatory…

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

Homily: Sept 12 2016 - The Holy Name of Mary

For many years, about 200 years actually in our own country, Mary was the most, or nearly the most popular name for baby girls. Around 1970 the name slipped out of the top 10, and starting in about 2009, Mary is no longer even in the top 100. Certainly, this is an indicator of a loss of reverence for the mother of Jesus; no doubt it corresponds to a decline in the practice of the Catholic faith. To our modern culture, there is little reverence for the name of Jesus, the name of Mary, the name of God is blasphemed on nearly every television show.

In Scripture, names reflect the type of person, aspects of their character. The name Jacob means trickster. Prophesying about the consolation of Israel, Isaiah’s name means “May God save”. Sometimes names are changed to indicate a change of personality or vocation: Abram’s name is changed to Abraham after God promises that he will be the father of a great nation. Of course, God, too, has many names in Scripture, and reveals his own mysterious name to Moses.

Calling upon the name of God in Scripture is always connected with adoring him and worshiping him rightly. God reveals his name so that we might love Him.

Though, Mary, her name meaning ‘beautiful’, and truly she is the most beautiful soul ever created by God, Mary was a truly humble woman, living a hidden life in the poor Judean countryside. If not for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, her name may never have been preserved, recorded in Scripture, or passed down through the generations of Christians. But her is name is known and loved. We are meant to invoke her by name, to honor her, and love her.

When we speak her name with love, we imitate our Lord Jesus; for did Jesus not call upon her with love, with filial devotion? We are faithful to Jesus, who told us, “take her as your own mother” when we love Mary as our mother.

When we invoke the name of Mary, we implore the aid of the woman who nursed, cared for, nurtured the Savior of mankind, who must have brought him so much consolation as he carried his cross; we place ourselves under her protection.

We do well to call upon her in times of temptation, for God has made humble Mary “full of grace”—powerful in His victory over the powers of evil, sin, and death. We do well to call upon her in times of trial asking her help to carry our own crosses. And like a child pointing out something delightful or beautiful to his mother, pronouncing her name in times of joy and thanksgiving throughout the day. 

May her name truly be "undying on our lips". We call upon the Holy name of Mary to help us become Holy, to help us to be faithful, to be humble instruments of God’s grace, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.