12th September, The Most Holy Name of Mary

The Most Holy Name of Mary

Just as a few days after Christmas we celebrate the holy Name of Jesus, so, after the Nativity of Mary we glorify her holy name. Eight days after the birth of the Virgin, according to the custom of the Jews, her holy parents inspired by God, say St. Jerome and St. Antoninus, gave her the name of Mary. Wherefore, during the octave of the Nativity, the liturgy gives a feast in honour of this holy name.

Spain, with the approval of Rome, in 1513, was the first to celebrate it, and in 1683 it was extended to the whole Church by Innocent XI to thank Mary for the victory which John Sobieski, King of Poland, had just gained against the Turks who beseiged Vienna and threatened the West.

"The name of the Virgin," says the Gospel, "was Mary." The Hebrew name of Mary, in Latin Domina, means Lady or sovereign; for the authority of her son, Lord of the world, makes her a sovereign from her birth in fact as well as in name. Whence, as we call Jesus our Lord, we say of Mary that she is our Lady. To pronounce her name, is to proclaim her power.

Let us offer the Holy Sacrifice to God to honour the most holy name of Mary and to obtain by her intercession her continual protection (Post-communion).

Vultum tuum deprecabuntur omnes dlvites plebis: adducentur regi virgines post eam: proximae ejus adducentur tibi in laetitia et exsultatione. * Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea Regi.
All the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King; her neighbours shall be brought to Thee in gladness and rejoicing. * My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King.
(Psalm 44:13,15,16,2 from the Introit of Mass)

Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut fideles tui, qui sub sanctissimae Virginis Mariae nomine et protectione laetantur; ejus pia intercessione, a cunctis malis liberentur in terris et ad gaudia aeterna pervenire mereantur in caelis.

To Thy faithful people, rejoicing in the name and protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, vouchsafe, O almighty God, we beseech Thee, through her loving intercession, to be delivered from all evils here on earth, and to be accounted worthy to enter into everlasting joys in heaven.

(Collect)

Benedicta et venerabilis es, Virgo Maria: quae sine tactu pudoris, inventa es Mater Salvatoris. * Virgo Dei Genitrix, quem totus non capit orbis, in tua se clausit viscera factus homo.
Alleluia, alleluia. Post partum, Virgo, inviolata permansisti: Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis. Alleluia.

O Virgin Mary, blessed and venerable art thou; without blemish to thy maidenhood, thou didst become the Mother of the Saviour. * O Virgin, Mother of God, He whom the whole world availeth not to contain, being made man, shut Himself up within thy womb.

Alleluia, alleluia. After childbirth thou didst remain a pure virgin; intercede for us, O Mother of God. Alleluia.

(Gradual)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464a.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10673b.htm