Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus


When I was growing up, I remember my father faithfully attending the Holy Name Society meetings, and even though I remember him losing his temper over certain things on occasion, I don't ever remember hearing him use the name of Jesus in vain. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Today's feast is meant to impress upon us the dignity and the honor of the sacred name of Jesus.

Devotion to the Holy Name is deeply rooted in the Sacred Scriptures, especially in the Acts of the Apostles. It was promoted in a special way by St. Bernard, St. Bernardine of Siena, St. John Capistrano and by the Franciscan Order. It was extended to the whole Church in 1727 during the pontificate of Innocent XIII. The month of January has traditionally been dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.

Today, let us lift up the Holy Name in praises by praying the Litany to the Holy Name of Jesus.

Read this wonderful article: What's in a Name? by Brother Thomas Davenport, O.P.

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