The feast of the Holy Name of Mary commemorates all the privileges given to her by God, and all the graces that we have received through her intercession and mediation.

The feast was instituted in 1513 at Cuenca in Spain, and assigned with proper Office to 15 September, the octave day of Mary's Nativity. After the siege of Vienna and the glorious victory of Sobieskl over the Turks (12 Sept. 1683), the feast was extended to the universal Church by Pope Innocent XI and assigned to the Sunday after the Nativity of Mary by a Decree of 25 Nov. 1683.

As Richard of St. Laurence states "there is not 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 in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next." Hence Richard encourages sinners to have recourse to this great name, "because it alone will suffice to cure them of all their evils;"

Blessed Raymond Jordano says, "that however hardened and diffident a heart may be, the name of this most Blessed Virgin has such efficacy, that if it is only pronounced that heart will be wonderfully softened." Moreover, it is well known, and is daily experienced by the devotees of Mary, that her powerful name gives the particular strength necessary to overcome temptations against purity.

St. Bonaventure declares, "that thy name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly".

Thomas Kempis affirms "that the devils fear the Queen of heaven to such a degree, that only 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 her holy name with a determination to repent.

One day in the hearing of St. Bridget, Jesus promised His Most Holy Mother that He would grant three special graces to those who invoke that holy name with confidence: first, that He would grant them perfect sorrow for their sins; secondly, that their crimes should be atoned for; and, thirdly, that He would give them strength to attain perfection, and at length the glory of paradise. Jesus then added: "For thy words, O My Mother, are so sweet and agreeable to Me, that I cannot deny what thou askest."

St. Ephrem goes so far as to say, "that the name of Mary is the key of the gates of heaven," in the hands of those who devoutly invoke it. Thus, it is not without reason that St. Bonaventure says that "Mary is the salvation of all who call upon her."

Let us, therefore, always take advantage of the beautiful advice given to us by St. Bernard, in these words: "In dangers, in perplexities, in doubtful cases, think of Mary, call on Mary; let her not leave thy lips; let her not depart from thy heart."

Father Sertorius Caputo, of the Society of Jesus, exhorted all who assist the dying, to frequently pronounce the name of Mary; for this name of life and hope, when repeated at the hour of death, suffices to put the devils to flight, and to comfort such persons in their sufferings.

We may join the tender prayer of St. Bonaventure, that says; "I ask thee, O Mary, for the glory of thy name, to come and meet my soul when it is departing from this world, and to take it in thine arms."

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Cosmas of Palermo
2. Saint Juventius of Pavia
3. Saint Silvinus of Verona
4. Saint Ebontius of Babastro
5. Saint Christopher Outers