The meaning of the celebration
+ The earliest evidence of devotion to the Name of Jesus comes to us from the New Testament (e.g. Acts 4:10, Romans 10:13, and Philippians 2:10). In the Middle Ages, writers like Saint Anselm of Canterbury and Richard Rolle began to promote devotion to the Holy Name.
+ In the fifteenth century the Franciscan priest Saint Bernardine of Siena became the champion of the Holy Name and actively promote this devotion.
+ The liturgical commemoration of the name of Jesus was extended to the Universal Church in 1721. Although the commemoration was removed from the Church’s calendar in 1969 (since the “imposition of the name of Jesus is already commemorated in the office of the Octave of Christmas”), it was restored to the General Roman Calendar in 2002. The date of January 3 is based on the long-standing tradition of the Society of Jesus, who celebrated this day as their titular feast.
+ This celebration invites us to reflect on the mystery of salvation made manifest in the life and mission of Jesus, whose name means “God saves.”
For prayer and reflection
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name
through all the earth!”—Psalm 8:2
Spiritual bonus
On January 3 we also remember Saint Genevieve. At the age of fifteen, Genevieve received the veil of a consecrated virgin and, after the death of her parents, Genevieve moved to Paris, acquiring a reputation for holiness and charity. According to a long-standing tradition, her prayers and guidance saved the city from destruction by the army of Attila. Saint Genevieve died in 512 and many miracles were attributed to her intercession. She is honored as the patroness of Paris.
Prayer
O God, who founded the salvation of the human race
on the Incarnation of your Word,
give your peoples the mercy they implore,
so that all may know there is no other name to be invoked
but the Name of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Father Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...