<---Lord, are there few that be saved?
Moving ahead in history, in the year 1683, Vienna was besieged by an army of 550,000 Turkish invaders who had reached the city walls and threatened all of Europe. John Sobieski, the King of Poland, a religious prince, came to the assistance of Vienna with a smaller army on the octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
After serving the priest during the celebration of the Holy Mass and having received Holy Communion, he rose against the enemy by stating, "Let us march with confidence under the protection of Heaven and with the aid of the Most Holy Virgin!" At the approach of King John and his army, the Turks were struck with a sudden fear and fled in complete disorder.
Following this great victory under the auspice of our heavenly Mother, in the Fall of 1683 A.D., Pope Innocent XI ordered that the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary be celebrated each year by the universal Church as a perpetual memorial of the victory of King John Sobieski of Poland against the enemy at Vienna, Austria.
The purpose of this feast was to remind the faithful to recommend to God on this day, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all the necessities of the Church while giving thanks to God for His gracious protection and numberless mercies.
The holy name of Mary has been revered in many ways. St. Louis de Montfort (d. 1716) said, “The whole world is filled with her glory, and this is especially true of Christian peoples, who have chosen her as guardian and protectress of kingdoms, provinces, dioceses and towns. Many cathedrals are consecrated to God in her name. There is no church without an altar dedicated to her, no country or region without at least one of her miraculous images where all kinds of afflictions are cured and all sorts of benefits received.
Many are the confraternities and associations honoring her as patron; many are the orders under her name and protection; many are the members of sodalities and religious of all congregations who voice her praises and make known her compassion. There is not a child who does not praise her by lisping a ‘Hail Mary.’ There is scarcely a sinner, however hardened, who does not possess some spark of confidence in her. The very devils in hell, while fearing her, show her respect.”
Referring to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Richard of St. Laurence stated, "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 that 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 Heaven."
Today, when we consider the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception that was proclaimed in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, we can now perceive why God had sent His Spirit to guide the Holy Catholic Church towards the granting of great honours to the Most Holy Name of Mary. According to this Dogma, "The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin. (Inneffabilis Deus 1854, cited in the Catechism of the Catholic Church # 491)
As the only human being, this excluding Jesus, who was free of all traces
of sins and remained so throughout her life, the Blessed Virgin Mary achieved perfection where the first Eve had failed. As the Second Eve, the Blessed Virgin Mary, was elevated by God as the spiritual mother of mankind.
These honours, and the many more that have been bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary leave no doubt in the mind of Catholics that her Most Holy Name, Mary, the most holy name, a name that has been elevated higher than all human beings and even "the angels", is the fountain of superabundant graces that shower upon us sinners from the Throne of God towards those who are their devotees or those who invokes his name or her helping.
So powerful is the Most Holy Name of Mary, that it is said that the devils fear the Queen of heaven to such a degree, that only on hearing her holy and great name pronounced, they flee terrified and full of rage to the deepest of burning fire of hell and there they writhe full of hate."
From the life of St. Bridget, we learn that the Blessed has revealed to her "that there is not on earth no sinner, that want to back to the love of God, although he is captive of evil, from whom the devil is obliged immediately to flee of him, if he invokes the holy name of Mary with a determination to repent."
On another occasion, the Blessed Virgin Mary stated, "that all the devils venerate and fear her name to such a degree, that on hearing it, they immediately loosen the claws with which they hold to the soul trapped."
In view of all these great Marian blessings that have been bestowed from Heaven, let us honour today the Most Holy Name of Mary with great esteem so our loving Mother may continue to be praised in every nation on earth. And may our spiritual devotion not only last one day, but be extended to every day of the year, and the best we can do is praying the Holy Rosary every day in her honour, alone or join all family and praying this wonderful and powerful praying.
Do you know what is one of the most frequently used words by children? 'Mama'. Little children know that whenever they utter ‘Mama,’ they get their needs met, mother does all possible efforts by her children even give her life. The same way our Mother of Heaven will do all for us if we ask her aid.
THE MEANING OF THE NAME OF MARY
In times past, people considered names to be symbolic of the person. This was so true that for a long time people even gave great importance to initials, a kind of symbol of the name, which in turn is a symbol of the person.
Thus, a name was considered to be a symbol of the more profound psychological, moral and spiritual aspects of the person. The name of Our Lady, like the Most Holy Name of Jesus, should then be considered symbolic of the hallowed virtue of Our Lady, her mission, and all that which she represents.
From this standpoint, we venerate the name of Our Lady since it is an affirmation of her interior glory, inner qualities and her person. The name of Mary is then the symbolic manifestation of all that exists of hallowed in Our Lady. By honoring this name we celebrate the glory that Our Lady has, had and will have, in heaven, earth and the entire universe.
In Hebrew, the name Mary is Miryam. In Our Lady's time, Aramaic was the spoken language, and the form of the name then in use was Mariam. In the book, The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God, St. John Eudes offers meditations on seventeen interpretations of the name "Mary," taken from the writings of "the Holy Fathers and by some celebrated Doctors". The name of Mary is venerated because it belongs to the Mother of God.
Meanings ascribed to Mary's name by the early Christian writers and perpetuated by the Greek Fathers include: "Bitter Sea," "Myrrh of the Sea," "The Light Giver," "The Enlightened One," "The Light Giver," and especially "Star of the Sea." Stella Maris was by far the favored interpretation. These etymologies suppose that the Hebrew form of the name is Maryãm, not Miryãm. The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm, (in Latin Domina) means lady or sovereign.
The Hebrew name of Mary (‘Domina’ in Latin) means lady or sovereign. This Mary is in virtue of her Son’s sovereign authority as Lord of the World. When we pronounce her name, we affirm her power, implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection. Most of the time because it’s too long to say ‘Blessed Virgin Mary’ or ‘Blessed Mother,’ we must call her simply ‘Mama’, ‘Mom, or Mother.’
The name Mary is rooted in various ancient languages: in Hebrew, Myriam; in Aramaic, Maryam; in the Greek Old Testament, Mariam; and in the Greek and Latin New Testament, Maria.
Modern philological studies of ancient Egyptian suggest that Mary means “lady, beautiful one or well-beloved.” Some scholars of Ugaritic texts (ancient Syrian) suggest the name “mrym” derives from the verb “rwn,” thereby rendering the meaning of “high, lofty, exalted or august.” These root meanings fit well with the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, Mary, full of grace (or Rejoice, O highly favored daughter)! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women” (Lk 1:28).
I know Heavenly Mother knows when I’m calling her and when I’m calling my earthly mom. And I call ‘Mom’ quite frequently especially in times of temptation and also right before praying the Rosary, because praying is not a pleasant experience of mine, but it is very beneficial for the soul.
And I know when I utter ‘Mom,’ Heavenly Mother is right here with me with her heavenly angels and her Son. It is recommend utter the Holy Name of Jesus in every time asking for aid, the same way, it is also recommend utter the Holy Name of Mary, Mom or Mother, always asking for aid, with the intention of invoke her powerful Name.
THE GLORY OF MARY
Regarding her glory in heaven, all has been said. She is the queen of all angels and saints, placed above all creatures. She is placed incomparably and incommensurably above all creatures so that in the order of creation she is the high point toward which everything converges. She is our Mediatrix with God, Our Lord. The glory that she has by this fact is simply inexpressible and derives from her condition as Mother of the Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Regarding her glory on earth, we consider how Our Lady must be glorified also on earth. The Glory be prayer states: Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The answer is: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Thus, it is normal to affirm that Our Lady should also be venerated on earth; and for her most holy Name to be glorified in an ineffable way.
Imagine a world like that of Christendom which would be influenced by the spirit of the great Marian apostle Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort. Imagine if the disciples of Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort were the salt of the earth and really set the tone for devotion to Our Lady throughout Christendom. Then we could understand what Our Lady’s glory in the world should be like. It would be incomparably more than it is today.
We see how greatly Our Lady was glorified by Holy Mother Church (at least until progressivism entered the scene). To us this glory seemed immense. However, it was nothing in comparison to the glory that she should have according to the spirit of Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort. We must ardently love Our Lady’s glory because it is unbearable for her not to have the glory that she should have.
This forgetting it simply is most odious and execrable that vices, crimes, abortions. The Revolution and the wickedness of men have managed to diminish the glory that she should receive from men.
Our zeal for the glory and name of Our Lady should be as children in their mother’s house. How could a son feel fine in his mother’s house when he sees others refusing to give the attention due to her?
How can we feel happy on earth, which is under Our Lady’s queenship, when we see her being refused her rightful honors and respect?
This must be a continuous reason for us to have much more than just grief but great indignation that the Queen is not being recognized by all in the role which is her own.
THE FOUR INVOCATIONS OF THE NAME OF MARY
Of course, the name “Mary,” being the name of the Blessed Mother, deserves special respect and devotion, and is thereby celebrated in four ways.
First, Mary is a name of honor since the faithful praise Mary as the Mother of Our Divine Savior; she is rightfully called “Mother of God,” for Jesus true God, second person of the Holy Trinity entered this world becoming also true man through Mary who had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Second, Mary is a most holy name because the very mention of her name reminds us she is full of grace, has found favor with God and is blessed among all women.
Third, Mary is a maternal name because she is our Mother, whom Our Lord gave to us as He was dying on the cross (cf. Jn19:26-27).
Four, finally, Mary is a name of the mother who responds to all of our needs, protects us from evil and prays “for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.”
The Church commemorates numerous occasions on which It invoked the name of Mary and received her heavenly protection. During the pontificate of Pope Innocent III, Saint Dominic Guzman established the Order of Preachers to combat the Albigensian heresy that all material things were evil. He trained his priests to live a holy life, to use their minds, and to pray the Rosary.
THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY
Since first centuries, this special Feast of Mary has been celebrated during the octave of the Nativity of Our Lady.
The feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated in Spain and was approved in 1513. In 1683, Pope Innocent XI extended the celebration of the feast day to the universal Church, to be celebrated Sept. 12, four days after the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Mother.
With the revisions of the Roman Missal in 1970 following the Second Vatican Council, the feast day was removed from the universal calendar, although the Votive Mass remained. However, Pope John Paul II in the third edition of the Roman Missal, issued in 2003, reinstituted the feast day, technically as an “optional memorial.”
On September 12th 1213, the Christian forces under Simon de Montfort won a decisive victory over the heretics at Muret in souther n France. Likewise, on the first Sunday of October, the Church recalls the victory of the Christian naval forces under Don Juan of Austria against the 300-odd ships of the Moslem Turk, Selim II, in 1571.
Again on September 12th 1683, after a forced march begun in Poland on the August 15th feast of the Assumption, John Sobieski turned back the 300,000 Moslem invaders besieging Vienna. And, once again, on August 5th 1716, under the patronage of Mary, Our Lady of the Snows, Prince Eugene claimed her victo ry at Peterwardein; shortly thereafter raising the siege of Corfu and later reclaiming Belgrade.
The feast of the Holy Name of Mary was inscribed in the calendar of the Universal Church by Pope Innocent XI "as a perpetual memorial of the great blessing of that signal victory won at Vienna in Austria over the cruel Turkish tyrant who had been grinding down the Christian people."
As we celebrate this feast day, let us remember the opening prayer for the Mass: “Lord, Our God, when your Son was dying on the altar of the cross, He gave us as our mother the one He had chosen to be His own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant that we who call upon the holy name of Mary, our mother, with confidence in her protection may receive strength and comfort in all our needs.” May our Blessed Mother continue to protect us, especially those Christians suffering around the world of today.
ST. BERNARD WAS ABBOT & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
"And the Virgin's name was Mary."
Let us speak a little about this name, which is said to mean "star of the sea," and which so well befits the Virgin Mother. Rightly is she likened to a star. As a star emits a ray without being dimmed, so the Virgin brought forth her Son without receiving any injury. The ray takes naught from the brightness of the star, nor the Son from His Mother's virginal integrity.
This is the noble star risen out of Jacob, whose ray illumines the whole world, whose splendor shines in the heavens, penetrates the abyss, and, traversing the whole earth, gives warmth rather to souls than to bodies, cherishing virtues, withering vices.
Mary is that bright and incomparable star, whom we need to see raised above this vast sea, shining by her merits, and giving us light by her example.
"All of you, who see yourselves amid the tides of the world, tossed by storms and tempests rather than walking on the land, do not turn your eyes away from this shining star, unless you want to be overwhelmed by the hurricane.
If temptation storms, or you fall upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the star: Call upon Mary!
If you are tossed by the waves of pride or ambition, detraction or envy, look to the star, call upon Mary.
If anger or avarice or the desires of the flesh dash against the ship o f your soul, turn your eyes to Mary.
If troubled by the enormity of your crimes, ashamed of your guilty conscience, terrified by dread of the judgment, you begin to sink into the gulf of sadness or the abyss of despair, think of Mary.
In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let her name be even on your lips, ever in your heart; and the better to obtain the help of her prayers, imitate the example of her life:
"Following her, thou strayest not; invoking her, thou despairest not; thinking of her, thou wanderest not;
upheld by her, thou fallest not; shielded by her, thou fearest not;
guided by her, thou growest not weary;
favored by her, thou reachest the goal.
And thus dost thou experience in thyself how good is that saying:
'And the Virgin's name was Mary.'"
THE POWER OF THE NAME OF MARY
BY ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI
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." He continues, "that 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."
After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness.
Hence Richard of St. Laurence encourages sinners to have recourse to this great name, "because it alone will suffice to cure them of all their evils;" and "there is no disorder, however malignant, that does not immediately yield to the power of the name of Mary." The 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 devoted of Mary, that her powerful name gives the particular strength necessary to overcome temptations against purity.
LITANY OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter,
Have mercy on us.
Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother, Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the spouse,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid,
Have mercy on us.
Mary , Mother of the Living God, pray for us.
Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal, pray for us.
Mary, our light, pray...
Mary, our sister, pray...
Mary, flower of Jesse, pray...
Mary , issue of kings, pray...
Mary, chief work of God, pray...
Mary, the beloved of God, pray...
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, pray...
Mary, all fair, pray...
Mary, light in darkness, pray...
Mary, our sure rest, pray...
Mary, house of God, pray...
Mary, sanctuary of the Lord, pray...
Mary, altar of the Divinity, pray...
Mary, Virgin Mother, pray...
Mary, embracing thy Infant God, pray...
Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom, pray...
Mary, ocean of bitterness, pray...
Mary, Star of the Sea, pray...
Mary, suffering with thine only Son, pray...
Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow, pray...
Mary, torn with a cruel wound, pray...
Mary, sorrowful even to death, pray...
Mary, bereft of all consolation, pray...
Mary, submissive to the law of God, pray...
Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus, pray...
Mary, Our Lady, pray...
Mary, Our Queen, pray...
Mary, Queen crowned of glory, pray...
Mary, glory of the Church Triumphant, pray...
Mary, Blessed Queen of Heaven, pray...
Mary, advocate of the Church Militant, pray...
Mary, Queen of Mercy, pray...
Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering, pray...
Mary, exalted above the Angels, pray...
Mary, crowned with twelve stars, pray...
Mary, fair as the moon, pray...
Mary, bright as the sun, pray...
Mary, distinguished above all, pray...
Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus, pray...
Mary, our hope to go Heaven, pray...
Mary, our sweetness in our sorrows, pray...
Mary, glory of Jerusalem , pray...
Mary, Mother of the families, pray...
Mary, honor of our people, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Dolors, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Victory, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of North Carolina, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray...
Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Extremadura, Spain, pray...
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
V. I will declare thy name unto my brethren.
R. I will praise thee in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Us Pray.
O Almighty God, Who beholdest Thy servants earnestly desirous
of placing themselves under the shadow of the name and protection
of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee,
that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all
evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven,
through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
R. Amen.
Final prayer
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that Thy Faithful, calling upon the Name of the Virgin Mary and rejoicing in her protection, may, by her motherly intercession, be delivered from the evils of the earth and advance to the eternal happiness of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
With this prayer can obtain everything, nothing is impossible with the recitation of the Rosary, Our Lady of Lourdes told it us several times;
"Those who pray the Holy Rosary every day will get an incredible and incompressible graces, that only will be understood in Heaven".
Promises of the Blessed Virgin Mary to those who pray the Rosary everyday.
1.- Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2.- I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3.- The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destory vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4.- It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things.Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5.- The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6.- Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7.- Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8.- Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9.- I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10.- The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11.- You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12.- All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13.- I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14.- All those who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.
15.- Devotion to my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
RECITATION OF THE HOLY ROSARY OF OUR MOTHER OF HEAVEN,
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
PROMISES OF JESUS TO THOSE WHO PRONOUNCE THE NAME OF MARY
So states St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori in his book “The Glories of Mary”:
Let us always take advantage of the beautiful advice from St. Bernard:
"When in danger, in anguish, in doubt, always invoke Mary. Do not allow it to fall from your lips, nor ever leave your heart". When in danger of losing the divine grace, think of Mary, invoke the name of Mary together with the name of Jesus, these two names are always inseparably united.
These so sweet and powerful names never separate from our heart and our lips, because these names will give us the strength and courage to never yield to temptations and to overcome them all. Jesus promised wonderful graces to the devotees of the holy name of Mary, as told to St. Brigitte while speaking to his most holy Mother, revealing that whoever invokes the name of Mary with confidence and intention of amendment, will receive these special graces:
perfect sorrow for their sins, atonement for them, the strength to reach perfection and eventually eternal life.
Because, added the divine Savior, your words are so dear and sweet to me, oh Mary, that I cannot deny whatever you request from me.
In a nutshell, says St. Ephrem, the name of Mary is the key that opens the door of the heaven to those that invoke it with devotion. Thus St. Bonaventure is correct when calling Mary “salvation of all those who invoke her", as if invoking the name of Mary was the same as obtaining eternal salvation.
Also Richard of St. Lawrence says that to invoke this holy and sweet name carries with it overabundant graces in this life and sublime glory in the other.
Therefore, concludes Thomas of Kempis: "If you look, my brothers to be consoled in all your works, resort to Mary, invoke Mary, be kind to Mary, place yourselves in the care of Mary.
Intimate with Mary, cry with Mary, walk with Mary, and with Mary you look for Jesus. Finally desire to live and to die with Jesus and Mary. By so doing you will always go ahead in the ways of the Lord, since Mary, gladly will pray for you, and the Son will certainly take care of the Mother ".
Jesus says to Maria Valtorta:
When our Enemy, the devil, tries to bother you too much, say: "God save you Mary, Mother of Jesus, I trust you".
The demon still has more aversion of the name of Mary than of my Name and my Cross.
He never succeeds, but he tries to harm my devotees in thousands of ways. But only the echo of the name of Mary makes him flee. If the world knew to call to Mary, it would be saved.
Therefore to invoke our two names together is something powerful to overcome all the arms that Satan sends against a heart that is mine.
And Jesus said to witness in San Nicholas, Argentina on Oct. 14, 1984:
I see Jesus, and He says to me: I give to mankind the Love of My Mother, so that they go to Her.
It is the Assistance, that will bring the Christians from the darkness, to introduce them to the Light.
Let His Name be invoked, with infinite love.
