The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is a feast of the liturgical year celebrated by a number of
Christian denominations. It has been celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church since the end of the
fifteenth century.
Held on different dates, usually in January, it commemorates the circumcision and naming of the child Jesus eight days after Christmas, as recounted in the Gospel reading on that day.
According to the 1962 Missal of Blessed John XXIII, this feast is celebrated on Jan 2, whereas in the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, the feast was removed, though a votive Mass to the Most Holy Name of Jesus had been retained for devotional use. When Blessed John Paul II published the third edition of the Roman Missal in 2002, he restored the feast to the liturgical calendar as an optional memorial on Jan 3.
The Church reveals to us the wonders of the Incarnate Word by singing the glories of His name, and we give honour to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, not because we believe that there is any intrinsic power hidden in the letters composing it, but because the Most Holy Name of Jesus reminds us of all the blessings we receive through our Holy Redeemer, and because Christ has commanded that we should pray in His name:
“Holy Father, protect them in Your Name that You have given Me,” and “If you ask the Father anything in My name He will give it you.”
It is our belief that the Most Holy Name of Jesus, called upon with confidence and faith, helps us in our bodily needs, gives consolation in spiritual trials, protects us against Satan and his trickery, and grants us blessings and grace far beyond our imagination.
This is why the Church, in the formulation of the liturgy, concludes her prayers with reverence, using the words: “…Through Our Lord Jesus Christ,” affirming the words of St Paul “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth” (Phil 2:10). The name “Jesus” proclaims that “God saves” and through Him, we are saved.
This Most Holy Name also specifies his relationship with his people: It says both who He is and what He is, namely a brother and Saviour. That is, Jesus is the sole Mediator and Saviour. By means of this devotion, we also make amends for improper use of the Holy Name; honour to the Holy Name is the reason that devout Catholics bow their heads at the sound of “Jesus” both inside and outside the liturgy. So, to pray “Jesus” is to invoke him and to call him within us.
His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies – Jesus is the Risen One, and whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave himself up for him.”
The invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always. When the holy name is repeated often by a humble, attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty phrases, but holds fast to the word and “brings forth fruit” with patience.
This prayer is possible “at all times” because it is not one occupation among others but that of loving God, which animates and transfigures every action in Christ Jesus.
The Most Holy Name of Jesus includes all the mysteries of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church that is found in its liturgy. It is the central point of all the Sacraments, as it embraces the Christian life. The believer begins his journey through faith in Jesus.
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, he dies with Jesus, is buried with Jesus and is raised as a new creation with Jesus.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to the believer for the growth of the Church that was instituted by Jesus on earth.
The believers live their faith in Jesus by manifesting love towards their brothers and sisters in Christ.
A special lover of the Holy Name of Jesus was St Bernard of Clairvaux (Cistercian monk, 1090 – 1153), who speaks of it in most glowing terms, saying: The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affections.”
But the greatest promoters of this devotion were St Bernardine of Siena (Franciscan Friar, 1380 – 1444), and St John Capistrano (Franciscan Friar, 1385 – 1456).
They carried with them on their missions in the turbulent cities of Italy a copy of the monogram of the Christ’s Name – “IHS” (the first three letters of Jesus as spelled in Greek) illustrating that Jesus, our brother and Saviour, is the centre of the universe, and the light and sustenance of our lives, and indeed Life itself – surrounded by rays, painted on a wooden tablet, wherewith they blessed the sick and wrought great miracles.
Jesus died and rose for the sake of all people. No one can trademark or copyright Jesus’ name. Jesus is the Son of God and son of Mary.
Everything that exists was created in and through the Son of God (Col 1:15-20). The name of Jesus is debased if any Christian uses it as justification for berating non-Christians. Jesus reminds us that because we are all related to him we are, therefore, all related to one another.
“Glorious name, gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honour to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary.”
- St Bernardine of Siena