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In January we Catholics continue to celebrate Christmastide! A Child has been born for us and His name shall be Jesus, Savior!
When we hear of a friend or relative expecting a child we often ask two questions: ”when is the due date?” and “have you chosen a name?”
In the afterglow of the Octave of Christmas, we Catholics celebrate the most Holy of all Names, Jesus, with the entire month of January dedicated to this devotion. This year, the feast is celebrated on January 3. In the convent, you will hear the Oblate Sisters invoke the Holy Name frequently during each day by praying, L. Most Holy Name of Jesus…R…save us!
Why is this? Because it is the holiest of names. To reverently invoke the name, Jesus, is to offer the shortest yet most powerful of prayers!
According to Jewish Law, eight days after a child was born, he was circumcised and given a Name. At the time of Christ’s birth, this was done most likely by the father. It can be assumed that St. Joseph conducted this ceremony within the Holy Family. Because when he had initial doubts about taking Mary, already with child, he was given a vision.
“…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, ‘God is with us.’
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.” Matthew 1:20 – 25
Father Paul O’Sullivan (pen name: E.D.M.), in his gem of classic, Wonders of the Holy Name, offers much to contemplate regarding this devotion to the Name of Jesus. Here are a few hi-lights:
“Devotion to the Holy Name is so easy that everyone without exception can practice it. It demands no time so that the busiest man can repeat it countless times. It is so powerful, so certain that it never fails to produce in our souls the most wonderful results.
It consoles the saddest heart and makes the weakest sinner strong. It obtains for us all kinds of favors and graces, spiritual and temporal.”
“Two things we must do,
First of all, we must understand clearly the meaning and value of the Name of Jesus. Secondly we must get into the habit of saying it frequently, …hundreds of times every day. Far from being a burden it will be an immense joy and consolation.”
Fr. Paul goes on to explain what happens to us when we frequently recite the Holy Name of Jesus, either silently in our hearts, or reverently out loud.
“Each time we say Jesus, it is an act of perfect love for we offer to God the infinite love of Jesus.
The Holy Name of Jesus saves us from innumerable evils and delivers us especially from the power of the devil who is constantly seeking to do us harm.
The Name of Jesus gradually fills our souls with a peace and a joy we never had before.
The Name of Jesus gives us such strength that our sufferings become light and easy to bear.”
The following are some tips for observing this month of the Holy Name of Jesus in your homes, with and in work spaces:
Make a couple of signs on the computer or by hand to display in your household this month. Where Jesus’ Name is displayed and honored, there will be peace.
Pray the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/holy-name-litany-27905
In joys, sorrows or uncertainty, pray the Holy Name of Jesus reverently as a prayer on the beads of your rosary.
Acknowledgements:
O’Sullivan, Paul, Wonders of the Holy Name, 1949, The Catholic Printing Co., Lisbon, Portugal
Parsch, Dr. Pius, The Church’s Year of Grace, 1957, North Central Publishing Company, St. Paul
EWTN.com/devotions
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