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The Most Holy Name of MaryFinding a deeper meaning to honor Mary, the Mother of God, with due reverence
Our Catholic Church has dedicated a feast day to the Most Holy Name of Mary, instituted by Pope Innocent XI in thanksgiving for the victory of Christian Europe over the Muslim Turks in the 16th century. This feast is celebrated every year on September 12.
From the very beginning of Scripture, Mary is revealed in God’s plan of salvation. In Genesis 3:15, she is the woman who crushes the head of the ancient serpent, the Devil. In Isaiah 7:14 we read: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” In Luke 1:28, through the archangel Gabriel, Mary is greeted as “full of grace”, meaning the favor of the Lord is with her. And in Luke 1:30 - 31 the archangel tells her: “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus.”
Mary, the Mother of GodAs the Mother of Jesus, Mary is truly the Mother of God. She is the Mother of the King of Kings, and therefore, in keeping with the tradition of all earthly kingdoms, she holds great power before her Son, who is God Himself.
She is our greatest intercessor before the Lord, as we see at the Wedding at Cana. At her request, Jesus transformed water into wine, beginning His ministry of miracles and signs - the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the work of our salvation.
Mary, Mother of the Holy EucharistThe Blessed Virgin Mary became the bridge between God and humanity, through whom the Eternal Word descended to the world. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word became flesh in her sacred womb, and was born true God and true man - the Savior of the world.
Mary is far beyond our full comprehension. She alone was found worthy to clothe the Eternal Word with her substance - her flesh and blood. She gave God the Son His Sacred Humanity. She is the Mother of God, the one who gave us the Flesh and Blood of Jesus, who, together with His Divinity, is our Lord, God, and Savior.
From Mary, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. We must contemplate deeply how Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in her womb without human intervention, and how His Sacred Humanity comes entirely from Mary.
The Most Holy Name of MaryAt the name of Mary, all demons tremble, and by the power of Her Name they are cast into Hell. Our Lady has asked us to pray the Holy Rosary, a prayer in which we reflect upon the mysteries of our salvation, praising her for being the Mother of God and blessing the fruit of her womb, Jesus.
Just as we thank God the Father for sending His only begotten Son to save us, we must also give thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the cause of our joy. Without her “fiat,” we would still be waiting for a Savior. But He has come - and from the Cross, Jesus gave us His Mother to be our Mother as well.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Blessed be the Name of Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, and Co-Redemptrix of the world.
THE HOLY NAME OF MARY
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