The Power of a Name!

AM+DG

 

 

 

The Power of a Name

Today, in the Traditional Rite, we celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus. The Power of this name is something, that we were always taught, but it is rarely mentioned now. It is a weapon, a comfort, a help we should never ignore.

Today, however, this most Powerful and Beautiful Name is used to curse and swear; it is blasphemed and mocked. Once upon a time, we would see every person in Church bow their heads or give a little nod every time It is heard.

Benefits of invoking the Name of Jesus:

• brings us help in bodily needs:

“In my name They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

In the Name of Jesus the Apostles gave strength to the lame (Acts 3:6; 9:34) and life to the dead (Acts 9:40).

• It gives consolation in spiritual trials:

The Name of Jesus reminds the sinner of the prodigal son’s father and of the Good Samaritan; it recalls to the just the suffering and death of the innocent Lamb of God.

• It protects us against Satan and his wiles, for the Devil fears the Name of Jesus, who has conquered him on the Cross.

• In It we obtain every blessing and grace for time and eternity:

“If you ask the Father anything in my name he will give it you.” (John 16:23)

Bernadine loved this devotion to the Holy Name. Below is a prayer he would say every day:

Jesus, Name full of glory, grace, love and strength! 
You are the refuge of those who repent,
our banner of warfare in this life,
the medicine of souls,
the comfort of those who mourn, 
the delight of those who believe, 
the light of those who preach the true faith,
the wages of those who toil, the healing of the sick.
To you our devotion aspires;
by you our prayers are received; 
we delight in contemplating you. 
O Name of Jesus, you are the glory of all the saints for eternity. 
Amen.

 “The Golden Arrow Prayer,” was revealed by Jesus to a Carmelite nun of Tours in 1843 as a reparation for blasphemy:

“May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar.”

From: https://aleteia.org/2019/01/14/st-bernardine-of-sienas-prayer-to-the-holy-name-of-jesus/

In the following Litany, (one of my favourites) there is a different reason/power  for every line – i.e. each time the Name of Jesus is invoked.

Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Brightness of eternal Light, [etc.]
Jesus, King of Glory,
Jesus, Sun of Justice,
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary,
Jesus, most amiable,
Jesus, most admirable,
Jesus, the mighty God,
Jesus, Father of the world to come,
Jesus, angel of great counsel,
Jesus, most powerful,
Jesus, most patient,
Jesus, most obedient,
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Jesus, Lover of Chastity,
Jesus, our Lover,
Jesus, God of Peace,
Jesus, Author of Life,
Jesus, Model of Virtues,
Jesus, zealous for souls,
Jesus, our God,
Jesus, our Refuge,
Jesus, Father of the Poor,
Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful,
Jesus, good Shepherd,
Jesus, true Light,
Jesus, eternal Wisdom,
Jesus, infinite Goodness,
Jesus, our Way and our Life,
Jesus, joy of the Angels,
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs,
Jesus, Master of the Apostles,
Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists,
Jesus, Strength of Martyrs,
Jesus, Light of Confessors,
Jesus, Purity of Virgins,
Jesus, Crown of all Saints,

Be merciful unto us, spare us, O Jesus. 
Be merciful unto us, graciously hear us, O Jesus.  

From all evil, Jesus, deliver us. 
From all sin, Jesus, deliver us. 
From Your wrath, [etc.]
From the snares of the devil,
From the spirit of fornication,
From everlasting death,
From the neglect of Your inspirations,
Through the mystery of Your Holy Incarnation,
Through Your Nativity,
Through Your Infancy,
Through Your most divine Life,
Through Your Labors,
Through Your Agony and Passion,
Through Your cross and Dereliction,
Through your Sufferings,
Through Your Death and Burial,
Through Your Resurrection,
Through Your Ascension,
Through Your Institution of the Most Holy Eucharist,
Through Your Joys,
Through Your Glory,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Jesus.
Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy most divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease praising Thee. Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest, world without end. R. Amen.