South Africa Needs Our Lady

South Africa Needs Our Lady

Winning the heart and soul of South Africa for Mary by spreading the Fatima Message

Winning the heart and soul of South Africa for Mary by spreading the Fatima Message

Our Lord

15 Prayers of St Bridget

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“These Prayers and these Promises have been copied from a book printed in Toulouse in 1740 and published by the P. Adrien Parvilliers of the Company of Jesus, Apostolic Missionary of the Holy Land, with approbation, permission and recommendation to distribute them.

“Pope Pius IX took cognizance of these Prayers with the prologue; he approved them May 31, 1862, recognizing them as true and for the good of souls.”

“As St. Bridget for a long time wanted to know the number of blows Our Lord received during His Passion, He one day appeared to her and said: ‘I received 5480 blows on My Body. If you wish to honour them in some way, say 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Marys with the following Prayers (which He taught her) for a whole year. When the year is up, you will have honoured each one of My Wounds.’”

FIRST PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus Christ! Eternal Sweetness to those who love Thee, joy surpassing all joy and all desire, Salvation and Hope of all sinners, Who hast proved that Thou hast no greater desire than to be among men, even assuming human nature at the fullness of time for the love of men, recall all the sufferings Thou hast endured from the instant of Thy conception, and especially during Thy Passion, as it was decreed and ordained from all eternity in the Divine plan.

Remember, O Lord, that during the Last Supper with Thy disciples, having washed their feet, Thou gavest them Thy Most Precious Body and Blood, and while at the same time Thou didst sweetly console them, Thou didst foretell them Thy coming Passion.

Remember the sadness and bitterness which Thou didst experience in Thy Soul as Thou Thyself bore witness saying: “My Soul is sorrowful even unto death.”

Remember all the fear, anguish and pain that Thou didst suffer in Thy delicate Body before the torment of the Crucifixion, when, after having prayed three times, bathed in a sweat of blood, Thou wast betrayed by Judas, Thy disciple, arrested by the people of a nation Thou hadst chosen and elevated, accused by false witnesses, unjustly judged by three judges during the flower of Thy youth and during the solemn Paschal season.

Remember that Thou wast despoiled of Thy garments and clothed in those of derision; that Thy Face and Eyes were veiled, that Thou wast buffeted, crowned with thorns, a reed placed in Thy Hands, that Thou was crushed with blows and overwhelmed with affronts and outrages.

In memory of all these pains and sufferings which Thou didst endure before Thy Passion on the Cross, grant me before my death true contrition, a sincere and entire confession, worthy satisfaction and the remission of all my sins. Amen.

 

SECOND PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! True liberty of angels, Paradise of delights, remember the horror and sadness which Thou didst endure when Thy enemies, like furious lions, surrounded Thee, and by thousands of insults, spits, blows, lacerations and other unheard-of-cruelties, tormented Thee at will. In consideration of these torments and insulting words, I beseech Thee, O my Saviour, to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and to bring me, under Thy protection, to the perfection of eternal salvation. Amen.

 

THIRD PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Creator of Heaven and earth Whom nothing can encompass or limit, Thou Who dost enfold and hold all under Thy Loving power, remember the very bitter pain Thou didst suffer when the Jеwѕ nailed Thy Sacred Hands and Feet to the Cross by blow after blow with big blunt nails, and not finding Thee in a pitiable enough state to satisfy their rage, they enlarged Thy Wounds, and added pain to pain, and with indescribable cruelty stretched Thy Body on the Cross, pulled Thee from all sides, thus dislocating Thy Limbs.

I beg of Thee, O Jesus, by the memory of this most Loving suffering of the Cross, to grant me the grace to fear Thee and to Love Thee. Amen.

 

FOURTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Heavenly Physician, raised aloft on the Cross to heal our wounds with Thine, remember the bruises which Thou didst suffer and the weakness of all Thy Members which were distended to such a degree that never was there pain like unto Thine. From the crown of Thy Head to the Soles of Thy Feet there was not one spot on Thy Body that was not in torment, and yet, forgetting all Thy sufferings, Thou didst not cease to pray to Thy Heavenly Father for Thy enemies, saying: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Through this great Mercy, and in memory of this suffering, grant that the remembrance of Thy Most Bitter Passion may effect in us a perfect contrition and the remission of all our sins. Amen.

 

FIFTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Mirror of eternal splendour, remember the sadness which Thou experienced, when contemplating in the light of Thy Divinity the predestination of those who would be saved by the merits of Thy Sacred Passion, Thou didst see at the same time, the great multitude of reprobates who would be damned for their sins, and Thou didst complain bitterly of those hopeless lost and unfortunate sinners.

Through this abyss of compassion and pity, and especially through the goodness which Thou displayed to the good thief when Thou saidst to him: “This day, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” I beg of Thee, O Sweet Jesus, that at the hour of my death, Thou wilt show me mercy. Amen.

 

SIXTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Beloved and most desirable King, remember the grief Thou didst suffer, when naked and like a common criminal, Thou was fastened and raised on the Cross, when all Thy relatives and friends abandoned Thee, except Thy Beloved Mother, who remained close to Thee during Thy agony and whom Thou didst entrust to Thy faithful disciple when Thou saidst to Mary: “Woman, behold thy son!” and to St. John: “Son, behold thy Mother!”

I beg of Thee O my Saviour, by the sword of sorrow which pierced the soul of Thy holy Mother, to have compassion on me in all my affliction and tribulations, both corporal and spiritual, and to assist me in all my trials, and especially at the hour of my death. Amen.

 

SEVENTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Inexhaustible Fountain of compassion, Who by a profound gesture of Love, said from the Cross: “I thirst!” suffered from the thirst for the salvation of the human race. I beg of Thee O my Saviour, to inflame in our hearts the desire to tend toward perfection in all our acts; and to extinguish in us the concupiscence of the flesh and the ardour of worldly desires. Amen.

 

EIGHTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Sweetness of hearts, delight of the spirit, by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which Thou didst taste on the Cross for Love of us, grant us the grace to receive worthily Thy Precious Body and Blood during our life and at the hour of our death, that they may serve as a remedy and consolation for our souls. Amen.

 

NINTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Royal virtue, joy of the mind, recall the pain Thou didst endure when, plunged in an ocean of bitterness at the approach of death, insulted, outraged by the Jеwѕ, Thou didst cry out in a loud voice that Thou was abandoned by Thy Father, saying: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

Through this anguish, I beg of Thee, O my Saviour, not to abandon me in the terrors and pains of my death. Amen.

 

TENTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Who art the beginning and end of all things, life and virtue, remembers that for our sakes Thou was plunged in an abyss of suffering from the soles of Thy Feet to the crown of Thy Head. In consideration of the enormity of Thy Wounds, teach me to keep, through pure love, Thy Commandments, whose way is wide and easy for those who love Thee. Amen.

 

ELEVENTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Deep abyss of mercy, I beg of Thee, in memory of Thy Wounds which penetrated to the very marrow of Thy Bones and to the depth of Thy being, to draw me, a miserable sinner, overwhelmed by my offenses, away from sin and to hide me from Thy Face justly irritated against me, hide me in Thy wounds, until Thy anger and just indignation shall have passed away. Amen.

 

TWELFTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Mirror of Truth, symbol of unity, bond of charity, remember the multitude of wounds with which Thou wast afflicted from head to foot, torn and reddened by the spilling of Thy adorable Blood. O great and universal pain, which Thou didst suffer in Thy virginal flesh for love of us! Sweetest Jesus! What is there that Thou couldst have done for us which Thou has not done! May the fruit of Thy suffering be renewed in my soul by the faithful remembrance of Thy Passion, and may Thy love increase in my heart each day, until I see Thee in eternity: Thou Who art the treasure of every real good and every joy, which I beg Thee to grant me, O Sweetest Jesus, in heaven. Amen.

 

THIRTEENTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Strong Lion, Immortal and Invincible King, remember the pain which Thou didst endure when all Thy strength, both moral and physical, was entirely exhausted, Thou didst bow Thy Head, saying: “It is consummated!”

Through this anguish and grief, I beg of Thee Lord Jesus, to have mercy on me at the hour of my death when my mind will be greatly troubled and my soul will be in anguish. Amen.

 

FOURTEENTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! Only Son of the Father, Splendour and Figure of His Substance, remember the simple and humble recommendation Thou didst make of Thy Soul to Thy Eternal Father, saying: “Father, into Thy Hands I commend My Spirit!” And with Thy Body all torn, and Thy Heart Broken, and the bowels of Thy Mercy open to redeem us, Thou didst Expire. By this Precious Death, I beg of Thee O King of Saints, comfort me and help me to resist the devil, the flesh and the world, so that being dead to the world I may live for Thee alone. I beg of Thee at the hour of my death to receive me, a pilgrim and an exile returning to Thee. Amen.

 

FIFTEENTH PRAYER

Our Father – Hail Mary.

O Jesus! True and fruitful Vine! Remember the abundant outpouring of Blood which Thou didst so generously shed from Thy Sacred Body as juice from grapes in a wine press. From Thy Side, pierced with a lance by a soldier, blood and water issued forth until there was not left in Thy Body a single drop, and finally, like a bundle of myrrh lifted to the top of the Cross Thy delicate Flesh was destroyed, the very Substance of Thy Body withered, and the Marrow of Thy Bones dried up.

Through this bitter Passion and through the outpouring of Thy Precious Blood, I beg of Thee, O Sweet Jesus, to receive my soul when I am in my death agony. Amen.

 

CONCLUSION

O Sweet Jesus! Pierce my heart so that my tears of penitence and love will be my bread day and night; may I be converted entirely to Thee, may my heart be Thy perpetual habitation, may my conversation be pleasing to Thee, and may the end of my life be so praiseworthy that I may merit Heaven and there with Thy saints, praise Thee forever. Amen.

 

See also: St Bridget of Sweden

Corpus Christi

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CorpusChristi-Feast

A Feast for the Soul

 

Also known as the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, this feast honours Jesus Christ, really, truly, and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine. This mysterious Presence happens through what the Church calls transubstantiation (“a change of substance, not appearance”) when at the Consecration of the Mass, the priest says the words which Christ Himself pronounced over bread and wine, “This is My Body,” “This is the chalice of My Blood,” “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

On Maundy Thursday, the day before Our Lord suffered and died on the cross for our sins, the Church commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. As the Scribes and Pharisees were plotting to end Our Lord’s life and extinguish His presence in the world, He had already devised a way to be among us everywhere till the end of time. On this day, Our Lord, not wanting to leave us “orphans,” performed the first Mass at the Last Supper with His apostles in the upper room. Such a festival is precluded by the sad and sorrowful memories of the day — the betrayal of Judas, Christ’s agony and arrest, and Saint Peter’s denial — making it impossible to honour the Blessed Sacrament with appropriate solemn and joyful rites on such a sad day as this.

CorpusChristi-Feast

And so it remained until the Middle Ages until the thirteenth century. It was a humble nun in Belgium, Saint Juliana, Prioress of Mont Cornillon, who first suggested and advocated a special feast in honour of the Blessed Sacrament to be celebrated on a day other than Maundy Thursday.

From the time she was sixteen years old, she had a vision in prayer; it was as if the full moon appeared to her in brilliant light while a part of its disc remained black and lightless. Finally, Christ showed her the meaning of this picture in a vision. The moon represented the ecclesiastical year; the black spot indicated the lack of a festival in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. She was to announce to the authorities of the Church that God wished such a feast to be established.

CorpusChristi-Feast

In 1230 Juliana communicated her secret to a small group of learned theologians. As her message became publicly known, she suffered scorn and ridicule for years. But the bishop of her diocese (Liége) and some of his canons eventually lent a willing ear to her entreaties. In 1246 a diocesan synod decided in her favour and prescribed such a feast for the churches of Liége.

Could it have been a mere coincidence that one of the men supporting her efforts in Belgium later became pope? He was Jacques Pantaléon, Archdeacon of Liége. Upon his election to the papal office, he assumed the name of Urban IV (1261-1265). On September 8, 1264, six years after Juliana’s death, he established that festival in honour of the Holy Eucharist, which the saintly nun had proclaimed to be willed by God for the whole Church. It was celebrated with great solemnity on the Thursday after Pentecost week, and indulgences were granted to all who would receive Holy Communion or attend special devotions in addition to hearing Mass.

Pope Urban IV commissioned the great Dominican scholar Saint Thomas Aquinas to compose the new feast’s Mass and Divine Office texts. The splendour, depth, and devotion of the prayers and hymns that Saint Thomas wrote have enriched the liturgy with one of its most beautiful rituals. They are still used today, inspiring all who should hear them with a deeper devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

CorpusChristi-Feast

Taking The Blessed Sacrament in procession in the streets

“Nor does anyone light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matt 5:15)

 

Beginning in the fourteenth century, throughout Christendom, the custom developed of carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a splendid procession through the town after the Mass on Corpus Christi Day. A Corpus Christi wreath of flowers surrounded the monstrance, a sacred vessel whose clear glass permits viewing the Sacred Host.

The Corpus Christi procession became the feast’s most prominent feature. It was a pageant in which princes, magistrates, and guild members participated. The procession began in the fourteenth century and was customarily followed by guild members performing mystery plays. As one can imagine, this was a feast day many Catholics looked forward to and fully participated in with great devotion.

In Catholic countries, such processions often went throughout the city. The faithful usually sing and pray, all in honour of our Eucharistic King. This practice has been promoted by popes, councils, and saints as a beautiful way to show the supreme importance of the Eucharist and our love for Our Lord present in flesh and blood.

During the procession, church bells are rung, and the faithful kneel in front of their homes to adore the Eucharistic Lord. Frequently, stops are made at various points called “stations” during the procession, and the Blessed Sacrament is placed on a reverently decorated altar table.

At the same time, a Gospel passage is read, and hymns are sung. One such sacred tribute is the hymn Tantum Ergo, written by Saint Thomas Aquinas:

CorpusChristi-Feast

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
 Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

“Corpus Christi,” in Latin, “the Body of Christ,” is a quintessential element of our Catholic Faith. For over two millennia, It has provided humanity with physical proof that, indeed, “The Word became Flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1:14). For so great a blessing and favour from God Himself, it is only fitting that we should set aside a special feast day in which to express our thanksgiving and adoration.

Through his 1947 Encyclical “Mediator Dei” (On the Sacred Liturgy), Pope Pius XII began a new stage in the Church’s teaching on the efficacy of prayer to Jesus present in the Sacrament of the altar. Here are some of his quotes on the importance of Eucharistic Adoration in our lives:

131.   “When, therefore, the Church bids us adore Christ hidden behind the Eucharistic veils and pray to Him for spiritual and temporal favours, of which we ever stand in need, she manifests living faith in her divine Spouse who is present beneath these veils, she professes her gratitude to Him, and she enjoys the intimacy of His friendship.”
132.   “Now, during centuries, the Church has introduced various forms of this worship which are ever increasing in beauty and helpfulness; as, for example, visits of devotion to the tabernacles, even every day; and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament publicly exposed.”

CorpusChristi-Feast

133.   “These exercises of piety have brought a wonderful increase in faith and supernatural life to the Church militant upon earth, and they are re-echoed to a certain extent by the Church triumphant in heaven which sings continually a hymn of praise to God and to the Lamb “who was slain.” Wherefore, the Church not merely approves these pious practices, which have spread everywhere throughout the world over the centuries, but makes them her own, as it were, and by her authority commends them.”

CorpusChristi-Feast

“…In this world, I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood.”

~ Saint Francis of Assisi

Written by Tonia Long

Our Lady of Argenteuil

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The Abbot Orsini wrote: “This priory preserves a portion of the seamless garment of Our Lord.”

In about the year 500, Clovis was the King of the Franks, but he was not yet a Catholic. Years passed as his wife Clotilda prayed for her husband to convert, yet always King Clovis demurred. Then one fateful day Clovis was engaged in a desperate battle, finding himself sorely bested. At the point of ruin, he cried aloud to the Christian God to assist him, promising to forsake his pagan gods if he were granted a miraculous victory.

Looking up to heaven, Clovis cried:

“Jesus Christ, whom Clotilda declares to be the Son of the Living God, who it is said gives aid to the oppressed and victory to those who put their hope in Thee, I beseech the glory of Thy aid! If Thou shalt grant me victory over these enemies and I test that power which people consecrated to Thy name say they have proved concerning Thee, I will believe in Thee and be baptized in Thy name. For I have called upon my gods, but, as I have proved, they are far removed from my aid. So I believe that they have no power, for they do not succour those who serve them. Now I call upon Thee, and I long to believe in Thee – all the more that I may escape my enemies!”

God was pleased to answer Clovis’ petition immediately, for no sooner had he prayed than his enemies fled the field. Clovis won the battle, and he was a man of his word. Hating his former error, Clovis converted to the True Faith.

It is related in the Gospels that Christ’s executioners played dice over this tunic. According to legend, that tunic was found in the fourth century by Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. It was then kept at Constantinople until the eighth century.

In the year 800, the Empress Irene of Byzantium offered Charlemagne the Holy Tunic at his coronation as Emperor of the West. The emperor then gave the relic to the priory of Argenteuil when his daughter, Theodrade, became abbess.

In the year 850 the Normans plundered the village of Argenteuil, including the Basilica of Saint Dennis, but the tunic was hidden in a wall before their arrival. When the abbey was rebuilt in 1003, the relic was restored. It was venerated until the 16th century when it was partially burned by Huguenots in 1567.

During the French Revolution the Benedictine priory was destroyed, and the relic then given to a parish church for safekeeping. In 1793, a priest found it necessary to cut it into pieces and bury them in his garden to protect them from profanation. In 1795, after the priest’s imprisonment had ended, the Holy Tunic appeared again and the different fragments were sewn back together.

The Holy Tunic was displayed again in the nineteenth century, and pilgrimages resumed. On the 13th of December in 1983, the parish priest of Saint Dennis discovered the tunic had been stolen. On 2 February 1984, Father Guyard received a phone call from a stranger promising to return the treasure on condition that their names would be kept secret. That same evening the tunic, with its case, was found in the Basilica of Saint Dennis.

The last solemn exposition of the tunic took place during the Easter holiday in 1984. In six days, approximately 80,000 people came to see the tunic.

The Holy Tunic measures nearly 152cm by 91cm in size. The fibres are wool and of a very regular size. It is a soft, lightweight fabric, and the weaving is uniform and regular with a twisted “Z,” made on a primitive loom. The tunic is remarkable for a tunic woven manually, as it is made without any seam, including the sleeves. The dark brown fabric is typical of the clothing in the early centuries of the Christian era. The fabric was dyed brown, using a method widely in practice at the time by people of modest means. The construction and dyeing show the tunic to date from the time of Christ. It is the garment worn by Christ after the Flagellation and along the road to Calvary as He carried His cross. Christ’s blood and sweat thus impregnate the fabric. In 1985 a test was done showing the blood was type AB. Pollen common to Palestine have also been found in the fabric.

as seen on Roman Catholic Saints

The Wonders of the Holy Name

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THE WONDERS OF THE HOLY NAME

Reveals the simplest secret ever of holiness and happiness

By Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, O.P. (E.D.M.)

TO THE READER

Dear Friend,

Read this booklet slowly and with attention, not once, but many times, and you will thank God all the rest of your life.

It will give you much happiness, and it will enable you to obtain from God wonderful graces and blessings.

It teaches the wonders of the Holy Name of Jesus, which few Christians understand.

The frequent repetition of this divine name will save you from much suffering and great dangers.

The world is now threatened with the direst calamities. Each one of us can do much to save himself from the impending evils, and we can do much to help the world, the Church and our Holy Father the Pope, simply by repeating frequently, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”

—The Author

CONTENTS

  1. The Wonders of the Holy Name
  2. What Does the Name of Jesus Mean?
  3. The World in Danger Saved by the Holy Name
  4. The Plague in Lisbon: The City Saved by the Holy Name
  5. Genseric the Goth
  6. Melchior Smiles at His Tormentors
  7. The Saints and the Holy Name
  8. The Doctrine of the Holy Name
  9. We Can Ask for Everything in the Name of Jesus
  10. The Devil and the Name of Jesus

 

 

Chapter 1

THE WONDERS OF THE HOLY NAME

We have been hearing and have been repeating from childhood the Holy Name of Jesus, but alas, many, very many, have no adequate idea of the great wonders of this Holy Name!

What do you know, Dear Reader, about the Name of Jesus?  You know that it is a holy name and that you must bow your head reverently when you say it.  That is very little.  It is as if you looked at a closed book and merely glanced at the title on the cover.  You know nothing of all the beautiful thoughts in the book itself.

Even so, when you pronounce the Name of Jesus you know very little of the treasures hidden in it.

This Divine Name is in truth a mine of riches; it is the fount of the highest holiness and the secret of the greatest happiness that a man can hope to enjoy on this earth.  Read and see.

It is so powerful, so certain, that it never fails to produce in our souls the most wonderful results.  It consoles the saddest heart and makes the weakest sinner strong.  It obtains for us all kinds of favours and graces, spiritual and temporal.

Two things we must do.  First of all, we must understand clearly the meaning and value of the Name of Jesus.

Secondly, we must get into the habit of saying it devoutly, frequently, hundreds and hundreds of times every day.  Far from being a burden, it will be an immense joy and consolation.

 

Chapter 2

WHAT DOES THE NAME OF JESUS MEAN?

The Holy Name of Jesus is, first of all, an all-powerful prayer.  Our Lord Himself solemnly promises that whatever we ask the Father in His Name we shall receive.  God never fails to keep His word.

When, therefore, we say, “Jesus,” let us ask God for all we need with absolute confidence of being heard.

For this reason, the Church ends her prayer with the words “through Jesus Christ,” which gives the prayer a new and divine efficacy.

But the Holy Name is something still greater.

Each time we say, “Jesus,” we give God infinite joy and glory, for we offer Him all the infinite merits of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.

St. Paul tells us that Jesus merited the Name Jesus by His Passion and Death.

Each time we say, “Jesus,” let us clearly wish to offer God all the Masses being said all over the world for all our intentions.  We thus share in these thousands of Masses.

Each time we say, “Jesus,” we gain 300 days indulgence,1 which we may apply to the souls in Purgatory, thus relieving and liberating very many of these holy souls from their awful pains.  They thus become our best friends and pray for us with incredible fervour.

Each time we say, “Jesus,” it is an act of perfect love, for we offer to God the infinite love of Jesus.

The Holy Name of Jesus saves us from innumerable evils and delivers us especially from the power of the devil, who is constantly seeking to do us harm.

The Name of Jesus gradually fills our souls with a peace and a joy we never had before.

The Name of Jesus gives us such strength that our sufferings become light and easy to bear.

 

WHAT MUST WE DO?

St Paul tells us that we must do all we do, whether in word or work, in the Name of Jesus.  “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ…”  (Col 3:17).

In this way, every act becomes an act of love and of merit, and moreover, we receive grace and help to do all our actions perfectly and well.

We must therefore do our best to form the habit of saying, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” very often every day.  We can do so when dressing, when working ― no matter what we are doing ― when walking, in moments of sadness, at home and in the street, everywhere.

Nothing is easier if only we do it methodically.  We can say it countless times every day.

Bear in mind that each time we say, “Jesus,” devoutly:

we give God great glory,

we receive great graces for ourselves,

and we help the souls in Purgatory.

We shall now quote a few examples to show the power of the Holy Name.

 

Chapter 3

THE WORLD IN DANGER

SAVED BY THE HOLY NAME

In the year 1274 great evils threatened the world.  The Church was assailed by fierce enemies from within and without.  So great was the danger that the Pope, Gregory X, who then reigned, called a council of Bishops in Lyons to determine on the best means of saving society from the ruin that menaced it.  Among the many means proposed, the Pope and Bishops chose what they considered the easiest and most efficacious of all, viz., the frequent repetition of the Holy Name of Jesus.

The Holy Father then begged the Bishops to call on the Name of Jesus and to urge their peoples to place all their confidence in this all-powerful Name, repeating it constantly with boundless trust.  The Pope entrusted the Dominicans especially with the glorious task of preaching the wonders of the Holy Name in every country, a work they accomplished with unbounded zeal.

Their Franciscan brothers ably seconded them.  St. Bernardine of Siena and St. Leonard of Port-Maurice were ardent apostles of the Name of Jesus.

Their efforts were crowned with success so that the enemies of the Church were overthrown, the dangers that threatened society disappeared and peace once more reigned supreme.

This is a most important lesson for us because, in these our own days, dreadful sufferings are crushing many countries, and still greater evils threaten all the others.

No government or governments seem strong and wise enough to stem this awful torrent of evils.  There is but one remedy, and that is prayer.

Every Christian must turn to God and ask Him to have mercy on us.  The easiest of all prayers, as we have seen, is the Name of Jesus.

Everyone without exception can invoke this holy name hundreds of times a day, not only for his own intentions, but also to ask God to deliver the world from impending ruin.

It is amazing what one person who prays can do to save his country and save society.  We read in Holy Scripture how Moses saved by his prayer the people of Israel from destruction, and how one pious woman, Judith of Betulia, saved her city and her people when the rulers were in despair and about to surrender themselves to their enemies.

Again, we know that the two cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, which God destroyed by fire for their sins and crimes, would have been pardoned had there been only ten good men to pray for them!

Over and over again we read of kings, emperors, statesmen and famous military commanders who placed all their trust in prayer, thus working wonders.  If the prayers of one man can do much, what will not the prayers of many do?

The Name of Jesus is the shortest, the easiest and the most powerful of prayers.  Everyone can say it, even in the midst of this daily work.  God cannot refuse to hear it.

Let us then invoke the Name of Jesus, asking Him to save us from the calamities that threaten us.

 

Chapter 4

THE PLAGUE IN LISBON:

THE CITY SAVED BY THE HOLY NAME

A devastating plague broke out in Lisbon in 1432.  All who could do so fled in terror from the city and thus carried the plague to every corner of the entire country of Portugal.

Thousands of men, women and children of all classes were swept away by the cruel sickness.  So virulent was the epidemic that men died everywhere, at table, in the streets, in their houses, in the shops, in the marketplaces, in the churches.  To use the words of historians, it flashed like lightning from man to man, or from a coat, a hat or any garment that had been used by the plague-stricken.  Priests, doctors and nurses were carried off in such numbers that the bodies of many lay unburied in the streets, so that the dogs licked up the blood and ate the flesh of the dead, becoming as a result themselves infected with the dread disease and spreading it still more widely among the unfortunate people.

Among those who assisted the dying with unflagging zeal was a venerable bishop, Monsignor Andre Dias, who lived in the Convent or Monastery of St. Dominic.  This holy man, seeing that the epidemic, far from diminishing, grew every day in intensity, and despairing of human help, urged the unhappy people to call on the Holy Name of Jesus.  He was seen wherever the disease was fiercest, urging, imploring the sick and the dying, as well as those who had not as yet been stricken down, to repeat, “Jesus, Jesus.”  “Write it on cards,” he said, “and keep those cards on your persons; place them at night under your pillows; place them on your doors; but above all, constantly invoke with your lips and in your hearts this most powerful Name.”

He went about as an angel of peace filling the sick and the dying with courage and confidence.  The poor sufferers felt within them a new life, and calling on Jesus, they wore the cards on their breasts or carried them in their pockets.

Then summoning them to the great Church of St. Dominic, he once more spoke to them of the power of the Name of Jesus and blessed water in the same Holy Name, ordering all the people to sprinkle themselves with it and sprinkle it on the faces of the sick and the dying.  Wonder of wonders!  The sick got well, the dying arose from their agonies, the plague ceased and the city was delivered in a few days from the most awful scourge that had ever visited it.

The news spread to the whole country and all began, with one accord, to call on the Name of Jesus.  In an incredibly short time all Portugal was freed from the dread sickness.

The grateful people, mindful of the marvels they had witnessed, continued their love and confidence in the Name of our Saviour, so that in all their troubles, in all dangers, when evils of any kind threatened them, they invoked the Name of Jesus.  Confraternities were formed in the churches, processions of the Holy Name were made monthly, altars were raised in honour of this blessed name, so that the greatest curse that had ever fallen on the country was transformed into the greatest blessing.

For long centuries this great confidence in the Name of Jesus continued in Portugal and thence spread to Spain, to France, and to the whole world.

 

Chapter 5

GENSERIC THE GOTH

In the reign of Genseric, the Arian King of the Goths, one of the King’s favourite courtiers, the Count of Armogasto, was converted from Arianism and joined the Catholic Church.

The King, on hearing of the fact, fell into a violent fury and, calling the young nobleman to his presence, tried by every means in his power to induce him to recant and return to the Arian sect.  Neither threats nor promises availed.  The Count refused all overtures and held fast to his new-found faith.  Genseric then gave vent to this fury and ordered the young man to be bound with strong cords as tightly as the brawny executioners could draw them.  The torment was intense, but the victim showed no sign of pain.  He repeated two or three times, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” and lo, the cords snapped like spider webs and fell at his feet!

Enraged beyond measure, the tyrant now commanded that the sinews of oxen, hard and tough as wire, should be brought.  The Count was again bound, and the King bade the executioners use their utmost strength. Once more their victim invoked the Name of Jesus, and the new thongs, like the old, snapped like threads.  Genseric, foaming with rage, ordered the martyr to be bound by the feet and hung from the branches of a tree, head downwards.

Smiling at this new mode of torture, Count Armogasto folded his arms on his bosom and, repeating the Holy Name, fell into a tranquil sleep, as though he were lying on a soft and comfortable couch.

 

Chapter 6

 

D. MELCHIOR SMILES AT HIS TORMENTORS

We have another incident of a similar kind narrated of the Chinese Martyr, the Venerable Dominican Bishop, D. Melchior.

In one of the many persecutions which raged in China and which gave so many Saints to the Church, this holy bishop was seized and, after having undergone the most brutal torments, was condemned to a cruel death.

He was dragged to the marketplace in the midst of a howling mob, who came to gloat over his sufferings.

They stripped him of his garments, and five executioners, armed with rough-edged swords, proceeded to chop off his fingers one by one, joint by joint, then his arms, then his legs, causing him excruciating agony.  Finally, they hacked the flesh from his poor body and broke his bones.

During his prolonged martyrdom, no sign of pain was visible on the Bishop’s countenance.  He was smiling and saying aloud, slowly, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” which, to the amazement of his executioners, gave him this wonderful strength.

Neither cry nor groan escaped from his lips until finally, after hours of torture, he quietly breathed his last, with the same lovely smile lingering on his face.

What wonderful consolation would we too not feel, when confined to bed with sickness or racked by pain, if we repeated devoutly the Name of Jesus.

Many people find it hard to sleep.

They will find help and consolation by invoking in these sleepless moments the Holy Name, and very probably they will fall into a tranquil slumber.

 

ALEXANDER AND THE PAGAN PHILOSOPHERS

During the reign of the Emperor Constantine, the Christian Religion was constantly and rapidly making progress.

In Constantinople itself the pagan philosophers felt much aggrieved at seeing many of their adepts deserting the old religion and joining the new.  They pleaded with the Emperor himself, demanding that in justice they should get a hearing and be allowed to hold a public conference with the bishop of the Christians.  St. Alexander, who at the time ruled the See of Constantinople, was a holy man, but not a keen logician.

He did not for that reason fear to meet the representative of the pagan philosophers, who was an astute dialectician and an eloquent orator.  On the appointed day, before a vast assembly of learned men, the philosopher began a carefully prepared attack on the Christian teaching.  The holy bishop listened for some time and then pronounced the Name of Jesus, which at once confounded the philosopher, who not only completely lost the thread of his discourse, but was utterly unable, even with the aid of his colleagues, to return to the attack.

St. Christiana, a young Christian girl, was a slave in Kurdistan, a region almost entirely pagan.  It was the custom in that country when a child was gravely ill that the mother should take it in her arms to the houses of her friends and ask them if they knew of any remedy that might benefit or cure the little one.  On one of these occasions, a mother brought her sick child to the house where Christiana lived.

On being asked if she knew of a remedy for that sickness, she looked at the child and said:  “Jesus, Jesus.”

In an instant the dying child smiled and leapt with joy.  It was completely cured.

This extraordinary fact soon became known and reached the ears of the Queen, who herself was an invalid.  She gave orders that Christiana should be brought to her presence.

On arriving at the palace, Christiana was asked by the royal patient if she could with the same remedy cure her own disorder, which had baffled the skill of the physicians.  Once more Christiana pronounced with great confidence:  “Jesus, Jesus,” and again this divine Name was glorified.  The Queen instantly recovered her health.

A third wonder was yet to be worked.  Some days after the cure of the Queen, the King found himself suddenly face to face with certain death.  Escape seemed impossible.  Mindful of the divine power of the Holy Name, which he had witnessed in the cure of his wife, his majesty called out, “Jesus, Jesus,” whereupon he was snatched from the dreadful peril.  Calling in his own turn for the little slave, he learned from her the truths of Christianity, which he and a great multitude of his people embraced.

Christiana became a Saint, and her feast is kept on December 15th.

St. Gregory of Tours relates that when he was a boy his father fell gravely ill and lay dying.  Gregory prayed fervently for his recovery.  When Gregory was asleep at night, his Angel Guardian appeared to him and told him to write the Name of Jesus on a card and place this under the sick man’s pillow.

In the morning Gregory acquainted his mother with the Angel’s message, which she advised him to obey.  He did so, and placed the card under his father’s head, when, to the delight of the whole family, the patient grew rapidly better.

We could fill pages and pages with miracles and wonders worked by the Holy Name at all times and in all places, not only by the Saints, but by all who invoke this Divine Name with reverence and faith.

Marchese says:  “I refrain from relating here the miracles worked and graces granted by Our Lord to those who have been devoted to His Holy Name, because St. John Chrysostom reminds me that Jesus is always named when miracles are worked by holy men; hence, to attempt to enumerate them would be to try to give a list of the countless miracles which God has performed through all the ages, either to increase the glory of His Saints or to plant and strengthen the Faith in the hearts of men.”

 

CARDS OF THE HOLY NAME

Cards with the Holy Name inscribed on them have been used and recommended by the great lovers of the Holy Name, such as Msgr. Andre Dias (see Chapter 4), St. Leonard of Port Maurice and St. Gregory of Tours, mentioned above.

Our readers would do well to use these cards, carrying them about on their persons during the day, putting them under their pillows at night and placing them on the doors of the rooms.

 

Chapter 7

THE SAINTS AND THE HOLY NAME

All the Saints had an immense love for and trust in the Name of Jesus.  They saw in this name, as in a clear vision, all the love of Our Lord, all His Power, all the beautiful things He said and did when on earth.

They did all their wonderful works in the Name of Jesus.  They worked miracles, cast out devils, cured the sick and gave comfort to everyone, using and recommending to all the habit of invoking the Holy Name.  St. Peter and the Apostles converted the world with this all-powerful Name.

The Prince of the Apostles began his glorious career preaching the love of Jesus to the Jews in the streets, in the Temple, in their synagogues.  His first striking miracle occurred on the first Pentecost Sunday when he was going into the Temple with St. John.  A lame man, well known to the Jews, who frequented the Temple, stretched out his hand expecting to receive some alms.  St. Peter said to him:  “Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee:  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk.” (Acts 3:6).

And instantly the lame man bounded to his feet and leaped for joy.

The Jews were astonished, but the great Apostle said to them:  Why your wonder and surprise, as if we made this man sound by our own power?  No, it is by the power of Jesus that this man walks.

Innumerable times since the days of the Apostles has the Name of Jesus been glorified.

We will quote a few of these countless examples, which show us how the Saints derived all their strength and consolation from the Name of Jesus.

 

PAUL

St. Paul was in a very special way the preacher and doctor of the Holy Name.  At first he was a fierce persecutor of the Church, moved by a false zeal and hatred for Christ.  Our Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus and converted him, making him the great Apostle of the Gentiles and giving him his glorious mission, which was to preach and make known His Holy Name to princes and kings, to Jews and Gentiles, to all nations and peoples.

St. Paul, filled with a burning love for Our Lord, began his great mission ― uprooting paganism, casting down the false idols, confounding the philosophers of Greece and Rome, fearing no enemies and conquering all difficulties ― all in the Name of Jesus.

St. Thomas Aquinas says of him:  “St. Paul bore the Name of Jesus on his forehead because he gloried in proclaiming it to all men; he bore it on his lips because he loved to invoke it; on his hands, for he loved to write it in his epistles; in his heart, for his heart burned with love of it.  He tells us himself:  “I live, yet not I, but Christ, liveth in me.”

St. Paul tells us in his own beautiful way two great truths about the Name of Jesus.

First of all, he tells us of the infinite power of this Name.  “In the Name of Jesus every knee shall bend in Heaven, on Earth and in Hell.”

Every time we say, “Jesus,” we give infinite joy to God, to all Heaven, to God’s Blessed Mother and to the Angels and Saints.

Secondly, he tells us how to use it.  “Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”  He adds:  Whether you eat or whether you drink, or whatever else you do, do all in the Name of Jesus.

This advice all the Saints followed, so that their every act was done for love of Jesus, and therefore their every act and thought won them graces and merits.  It was by this Name that they became Saints.  If we follow this same advice of the Apostle, we too shall reach a very high degree of sanctity.

How are we to do everything in the Name of Jesus?  By acquiring the habit, as we have said, of repeating the Name of Jesus frequently in the course of the day. This presents no difficulty ― it only demands good will.

St. Augustine, the great Doctor of the Church, found his delight in repeating the Holy Name.  He himself tells us that he found much pleasure in books which made frequent mention of this all-consoling Name.

St. Bernard felt a wonderful joy and consolation in repeating the Name of Jesus.  He felt it, as he says, like honey in his mouth and a delicious peace in his heart.  We too shall feel immense consolation and shall feel peace steal into our souls if we imitate St. Bernard and repeat frequently this Holy Name.

St. Dominic spent his days preaching and discussing with heretics.  He always went on foot from place to place, as well in the oppressive heats of the summer as in the cold and rain of winter.  The Albigensian heretics, whom he tried to convert, were more like demons let loose from Hell than mortal men.  Their doctrine was infamous and their crimes enormous.  Yet, as another St. Paul, he converted 100,000 of these wicked men, so that many of them became eminent for sanctity.  Wearied at night with his labours, he asked only for one reward, which was to pass the night before the Blessed Sacrament, pouring out his soul in love for Jesus.  When his poor body could resist no longer, he leaned his head against the altar and rested a little, after which he began once more his intimate converse with Jesus.  In the morning, he celebrated Mass with the ardour of a seraph so that at times his body was raised in the air in an ecstasy of love.  The Name of Jesus filled his soul with joy and delight.

Blessed Jordan of Saxony, who succeeded St. Dominic as Master General of the Order, was a preacher of great renown. His words went straight to the heart of the hearers, above all when he spoke to them of Jesus.

Learned professors of the university cities came with delight to hear him, and so many of them became Dominican friars that others feared to come, lest they too should be induced to join his order.  So many were drawn by Blessed Jordan’s irresistible eloquence that, when his visit to a city was announced, the prior of the convent bought at once a great quantity of white cloth to make habits for those who were sure to seek entrance to the Order.  Blessed Jordan himself received one thousand postulants to the habit, among whom were the most eminent professors of the European universities.

St. Francis of Assisi, that burning Seraph of love, found his delight in repeating the loved Name of Jesus.  St. Bonaventure says that his face lit up with joy and his voice showed by its tender accents how much he loved to invoke this all-Holy Name.

No wonder, then, that he received on his hands and feet and side the marks of the five wounds of Our Lord, a reward of his burning love.2

St. Ignatius of Loyola was second to none in his love for the Holy Name.  He gave to his great order not his own name, but rather he called it the “Society of Jesus.”  This divine Name has been, as it were, a shield and defence of the Order against its enemies and a guarantee of the holiness and sanctity of its members. Glorious, indeed is the great Society of Jesus.

St. Francis de Sales has no hesitation in saying that those who have the custom of repeating the Holy Name frequently may feel certain of dying a holy and happy death.

And indeed there can be no doubt of this, because every time we say, “Jesus,” we apply the saving Blood of Jesus to our souls, while at the same time we implore God to do as He has promised, granting us everything we ask in His Name.  All who desire a holy death can secure it by repeating the Name of Jesus.  Not only will this practice obtain for us a holy death, but it will lessen notably our time in Purgatory and may very possibly deliver us altogether from that dreadful fire.

Many Saints spent their last days repeating constantly, “Jesus, Jesus.”

All the Doctors of the Church agree in telling us that the devil reserves his fiercest temptations for our last moments, and then he fills the mind of the dying person with doubts, fears and dreadful temptations ― in the hope, at last, of carrying the unfortunate soul to Hell.  Happy those who in life have made sure of acquiring the habit of calling on the Name of Jesus.

Facts like these we have just mentioned are to be found in the lives of all the great servants of God who became saints and reached the highest degrees of sanctity by this simple and easy means.

St. Vincent Ferrer, one of the most famous preachers that the world has ever heard, converted the most abandoned criminals and transformed them into the most fervent Christians.  He converted 80,000 Jews and 70,000 Moors, a prodigy we read of in the life of no other Saint.  Three miracles are demanded by the Church for the canonization of a Saint; whereas in the bull of canonization of St. Vincent, 873 are mentioned.

This great Saint burned with love for the Name of Jesus and with this Divine Name worked extraordinary wonders.

We, therefore, sinful as we are, can, with this Omnipotent Name, obtain every favour and every grace.  The weakest mortals can become strong, the most afflicted find in it consolation and joy.

Who then can be so foolish or negligent as not to acquire the habit of repeating, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” constantly.  It robs us of no time, presents no difficulty and is an infallible remedy for every evil.

Blessed Goncalo of Amarante reached a very eminent degree of sanctity by the frequent repetition of the Holy Name.

Blessed Giles of Santarem felt so much love and delight in saying the Holy Name that he was raised in the air in ecstasy.

Those who repeat frequently the Name of Jesus feel a great peace in their soul, “that peace which the world cannot give,” which God alone gives, a peace “that surpasses all understanding.”

St. Leonard of Port Maurice cherished a tender devotion to the Name of Jesus and in his continual missions taught the people who thronged to listen to him the wonders of the Holy Name.  This he did with such love that tears flowed from his eyes and from the eyes of all who heard him.

He begged them to put a card with this Divine Name on their doors.  This was attended with the happiest results, for many were thus saved from sickness and disasters of various kinds.

One, unfortunately, was prevented from doing so, since a Jew, who was part-owner of the house in which he lived, sternly refused to have the Name of Jesus placed on the door.  His fellow-lodger then decided that he would write it on his windows, which he accordingly did.  Some days after, a fierce fire broke out in the building, which destroyed all the apartments belonging to the Jew; whereas, the rooms belonging to his Christian neighbour in no way suffered from the conflagration.

This fact was made public and increased a hundredfold faith and trust in the Holy Name of our Saviour.  In fact, the whole city of Ferrajo was a witness of this extraordinary protection.

St. Edmund had special devotion to the Name of Jesus, which Our Lord Himself taught him.

One day when he was in the country and separated from his companions, a beautiful child stood by him and asked, “Edmund, do you not know me?”  Edmund answered that he did not.  Then replied the child, “Look at me and you will see who I am.”  Edmund looked as he was bidden and saw written on the Child’s forehead, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”  “Know now who I am,” said the Child.  “Every night make the Sign of the Cross and say these words:  ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.’  If you do so, this prayer will deliver you and all who say it from sudden and unprovided-for deaths.”

Edmund faithfully did as Our Lord told him.  The devil once tried to prevent him and held his hands so that he could not make the holy sign.  Edmund invoked the Name of Jesus, and the devil fled in terror, leaving him unmolested in the future.

Many people practice this easy devotion and so save themselves from unhappy deaths.  Others, with their forefinger, imprint with holy water on their foreheads the four letters, “I.N.R.I.,” to signify Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judaeorum, the words written by Pilate for the Cross of Our Lord.

St. Alphonsus earnestly recommends both these devotions.

St. Frances of Rome enjoyed the extraordinary privilege of constantly seeing and speaking to her Angel Guardian.  When she pronounced the Name of Jesus, the Angel was radiant with happiness and bent down in loving adoration.

Sometimes the devil dared to appear to her, seeking to frighten her and do her harm.  But when she pronounced the Holy Name, he was filled with rage and hatred and fled in terror from her presence.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal, that most lovable friend of St. Francis de Sales, had many beautiful devotions taught her by this holy Doctor, who for many years acted as her spiritual adviser.  She so loved the Name of Jesus that she actually wrote it with a hot iron on her breast.  Blessed Henry Suso had done the same with a pointed steel rod.

We may not aspire to this holy daring; we may with reason lack the courage of inscribing the Holy Name on our breast.  This needs a special inspiration from God.  But we may follow the example of another dear Saint, viz., Blessed Catherine of Racconigi, a daughter of St. Dominic, who repeated frequently and lovingly the Name of Jesus, so that after her death, the Name of Jesus was found engraved in letters of gold on her heart.  We all can do as she did, and thus the Name of Jesus will be emblazoned on our souls for all Eternity in the sight of the Saints and Angels in Heaven.

St. Gemma Galgani.  Almost in our own day this dear girl Saint also had the privilege of frequent and intimate converse with her Angel Guardian.  Sometimes the Angel and Gemma entered into a holy contest as to which of them could say more lovingly the Name of Jesus.

Her interviews with the dear Angel were of a simple and familiar nature.  She chatted with him, gazed on his face, asked him many questions, to which he replied with ineffable love and affection.

He took messages from her to Our Lord, to the Blessed Virgin and the saints and brought her back their answers.

Moreover, this glorious angel took the tenderest care of his protégé.  He taught her to pray and mediate, especially on the Passion and sufferings of Our Lord.  He gave her admirable counsels and lovingly reproved her when she committed any little faults.  Under his guidance, Gemma speedily reached a high degree of perfection.

 

Chapter 8

THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY NAME

We shall now explain the doctrine of the Holy Name ― the most important chapter in this booklet ― in order to show our readers whence comes the power and divine value of this name and show how the Saints worked their wonders by it and how we ourselves can obtain by its means every grace and blessing.

You may ask, Dear Reader, how it is that one word can work such prodigies?

I answer that with a word God made the world.  With His word, He called out of nothing the sun, the moon, the stars, the high mountains and the vast oceans.  By His Word He sustains the whole universe in existence.

Does not the priest, too, in Holy Mass, work a prodigy of prodigies; does he not transform the little white host into the God of Heaven and earth by the words of Consecration; and though God alone can pardon sins, does not the priest also in the confessional pardon the blackest sins and the most awful crimes?

How?  Because God gives to his words this infinite power.

So, too, God in His immense goodness gives to each of us an all-powerful word with which we can do wonders for Him, for ourselves and for the world. That word is “Jesus.”

Remember what St. Paul tells us about it.  That it is “a name above all names,” and that …

“In the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bend in Heaven, on earth and in Hell.”

But why?

Because “Jesus” signifies “God-made-man,” viz., the Incarnation.  When the Son of God became man, He was called “Jesus,” so that when we say, “Jesus,” we offer to the Eternal father the infinite love, the infinite merits of Jesus Christ; in a word, we offer Him His Own Divine Son Himself; we offer Him the great Mystery of the Incarnation.  Jesus IS the Incarnation!

How few Christians have any adequate idea of this sublime mystery, and yet it is the greatest proof that God has given, or could give us, of His personal love for us.  It is everything to us.

 

THE INCARNATION

God became man for love of us, but what does it avail us if we do not understand this love?

God, the Infinite, Immense, Eternal, all-powerful God, the mighty Creator, the God that fills Heaven with His Majesty, hid all His power, His Majesty, His greatness, and became a little child in order to become like us and so to gain our love.

He entered into the pure womb of the Virgin Mary and there lay hidden for nine whole months.  Then He was born in a stable between two animals.  He was poor and humble.  He passed 33 years working, suffering, praying, teaching His beautiful Religion, working miracles, doing good to all.  He did all this to prove His love for each of us and so constrain us to love Him.

This stupendous act of love was so great that not even the highest Angels in Heaven could have conceived it possible, had not God revealed it to them.

It was so great that the Jews, God’s chosen people, who were expecting a Saviour, were scandalized at the thought that God could humble Himself so much.

The Gentile philosophers, notwithstanding their vaunted wisdom, said that it was madness to think that the Almighty God could do so much for love of man.

St. Paul says that God exhausted all His power, wisdom and goodness in becoming man for us:  “He emptied Himself out.”

Our Lord confirms the words of the Apostle, for He says:  “What more could I do?”

All this God did, not for all men in general, but for each one of us in particular.  Think, think, of this.

Do you believe, do you understand, Dear Reader, that God loves you so much, that He loves you so intimately, so personally.  What a joy, what a consolation if you really knew and felt that the great God loves you ― you, so sincerely!

Our Lord has done still more, for He has made over to us all His infinite merits so that we can offer them to the Eternal Father as often as we like, a hundred, a thousand times a day.

And that is what we can do each time we say “Jesus,” if only we remember what we are saying.

You are perhaps surprised at this wonderful doctrine; you may never have heard it before?

But now at last that you know the infinite wonders of the Name of Jesus, say this Holy Name constantly; say it devoutly.

And in the future, when you say, “Jesus,” remember that you are offering to God all the infinite love and merits of His Son.  You are offering Him His Own Divine Son.  You cannot offer Him anything holier, anything better, anything more pleasing to Him, anything more meritorious for yourself.

How ungrateful are those Christians who never thank God for all He has done for them.  Men and women live 30, 50, 70 years and never think of thanking God for all His wonderful love.

When you say the Name of Jesus, remember, too, to thank Our Sweet Lord for his Incarnation.

When He was on Earth, He cured ten lepers of their loathsome disease.  They were delighted and went away full of joy and happiness, but only one came back to thank Him!  Jesus was very hurt and said:  “Where are the other nine?”

Has He not much more reason to feel grieved and hurt with you and me, who thank Him so little for all He has done for us in the Incarnation and in His Passion.

St. Gertrude was wont to thank God often, with a little ejaculation, for His goodness in becoming man for her.  Our Lord appeared to her one day and said, “My dear Child, every time you honour My Incarnation with that little prayer, I turn to My Eternal Father and I offer all the merits of the Incarnation for you and for all those who do as you do.”

Shall we not then try to say often, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” sure of receiving a like wonderful grace.

 

THE PASSION

The second meaning of the word “Jesus” is “Jesus dying on the Cross,” for St. Paul tells us that Our Lord merited this most Holy Name by His sufferings and death.

Therefore, when we say, “Jesus,” we should also wish to offer the Passion and Death of Our Lord to the Eternal Father for His greater glory and for our own intentions.

Just as Our Lord became man for each one of us, as if each one of us were the only one in existence, so He died, not for all men in general, but for each one in particular.  When He was hanging on the Cross, He saw me, He saw you, Dear Reader, and offered every pang of His dreadful agony, every drop of His Precious Blood, all of His humiliations, all the insults and outrages He received, for me, for you, for each one of us!  He has given us all these infinite merits as our very own.  We may offer them hundreds and hundreds of times every day to the Eternal Father ― for ourselves and for the world.

We do this every time we say “Jesus.”  At the same time, let us wish to thank Our Lord for all He has suffered for us.

It is appalling that many Christians know so little of this Holy Name and all that it means.  As a result, they are losing precious graces every day, and they are forfeiting the greatest rewards in Heaven.  Sad, deplorable ignorance!

 

HOW TO SHARE IN 500,000 MASSES

The third intention we ought to have when saying “Jesus” is to offer all the Masses that are being said all over the world for the glory of God, for our own needs, and for the world at large.  About 500,000 Masses are celebrated daily.  And we can and should share in all of these.

The Mass brings Jesus to our altars.  At every Mass He is once again present here on earth, as really as when He became man in His Mother’s womb.  He also sacrifices Himself on the Altar as really and truly as He did on Calvary, though in a mystical, unbloody manner.  The Mass is said, not only for all those who assist at church, but for all those who wish to hear it and offer it with the priest.

All we have to do is to say reverently, “Jesus, Jesus,” with the intention of offering these Masses and participating in them.  By doing this we have a share in all of them.

It is a wonderful grace to assist at and to offer one Mass; what will it not be to offer and share in 500,000 Masses every day!

Therefore, every time we say “Jesus,” let it be our intention:

To offer to God all the infinite love and merits of the Incarnation.

To offer to God the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.

To offer to God all the 500,000 Masses being celebrated in the world ― for His glory and our own intentions.

All that we have to do is to say the one word, “Jesus,” but knowing what we are doing.

St. Mechtilde was accustomed to offer the Passion of Jesus in union with all the Masses of the world for the souls in Purgatory.

Our Lord once showed her Purgatory open and thousands of souls going up to Heaven as the result of her little prayer.

When we say, “Jesus,” we can offer the Passion and the Masses of the world, either for ourselves or for the souls in Purgatory, or for any other intention we please.

We should always, too, offer them for the world at large and our own country in particular.

 

Chapter 9

WE CAN ASK FOR EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

The Angels are our dearest and best friends and are most ready and able to help us in every difficulty and danger.

It is most regrettable that many Catholics do not know, love and ask the Angels for help.  The easiest way to do so is to say the Name of Jesus in their honour.  This gives them the greatest joy.  They in return will help us in all our troubles and keep us safe from many dangers.

Let us say the Name of Jesus in honour of all the Angels, but especially in honour of our dear Angel Guardian, who loves us so much.

Our Sweet Lord is present in millions of consecrated Hosts in the countless Catholic churches of the world.  During many hours of the busy day and during the long nights, He is forgotten and left alone.

We can do much to console and comfort Him by saying, “My Jesus, I love and adore Thee in all the Consecrated Hosts of the world, and I thank Thee with all my heart for remaining on all the altars of the world for love of us.”  Then say twenty, fifty or more times the Name of Jesus with this intention.

We may do most perfect penance for our sins by offering the Passion and Blood of Jesus many times each day for this intention.

The Precious Blood purifies our souls and raises us to a high degree of holiness.  It is all so easy!  We have only to repeat lovingly, joyfully, reverently, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”

If we are sad or cast down, if we are worried with fears and doubts, this Divine Name will give us a delightful peace.  If we are weak and wavering, it will give us a new strength and energy.  Did not Jesus, when on Earth, go about consoling and comforting all those who were unhappy?  He is still doing it every day for those who ask Him.

If we are suffering from weak health, if we are in pain, if some disease is taking hold of our poor bodies, He can cure us.  Did He not cure the sick, the lame, the blind, the lepers?  Does He not say to us, “Come to Me, all you who labour, and are heavily burdened, and I will refresh you.”  Many could have good health if they only asked Jesus for it.  By all means consult doctors, use remedies, but above all call on Jesus!

The Name of Jesus is the shortest, the easiest, the most powerful of all prayers.  Our Lord tells us that anything we ask the Father in His Name, viz., in the Name of Jesus, we shall receive.  Every time we say, “Jesus,” we are saying a fervent prayer for all, all that we need.

The Souls in Purgatory.  It is very lamentable that so many Christians forget and neglect the souls in Purgatory.  It is possible that some of our dear friends are suffering in these dreadful fires, waiting, waiting for our prayers and help ― which we could so easily give them and do not give them.

We have pity for the poor whom we see in the streets, for the hungry and for all those who suffer.  None suffer so terribly as the souls in Purgatory, for the fire of Purgatory, as St. Thomas tells us, is the same as the fire of Hell!

How often, Dear Reader, do you pray for the Holy Souls?  Days and weeks and perhaps months pass and you do little, perhaps nothing for them!

You can easily help them if you will say frequently the Name of Jesus, because (a) you thus offer for them the Precious Blood and suffering of Jesus Christ, as we have explained, (b) you gain 300 days indulgence1 every time you say “Jesus.”

Having the custom of repeating often the Holy Name, you can, like St. Mechtilde, relieve thousands of souls, who will thereafter never cease praying for you with incredible fervour.

 

THE AWFUL CRIME OF INGRATITUDE

We thank our friends most effusively for any little favour they do us, but we forget or neglect to thank God for His immense love of us, for becoming man for us, for dying for us, for all the Masses we can hear and the Holy Communions we can receive ― and do not receive.  What black ingratitude!

By repeating often the Name of Jesus, we correct this grave fault and thank God and give Him great joy and glory.

Do you not wish to give joy to God?  You do?

Then, Dear Friend, thank, thank God!  He is waiting for your thanks.

 

GOD LOVES EACH ONE

We have said that Our Lord in the dreadful sufferings of His Passion, in the Agony in the garden, when He was hanging on the Cross, saw us all and offered for each one of us every pang of pain, every drop of His Precious Blood.

Can it be possible that God is so good that He thinks of each one of us, that He loves each one of us so much?

Our poor hearts and minds are small and mean and find it hard to believe that God can be so good, that He troubles Himself about us.

But God, as He is Omnipotent, as He is infinitely wise, is also infinitely good and generous and loving.  To understand how God thought of each one of us during the Passion, when He was hanging on the Cross, we have only to remember what happens in the millions of Holy Communions received every day.

God comes to each one of us, with all the plenitude of the Divinity.  He enters into each one as fully and entirely as He is in Heaven.  He comes into each one of us as if that one person were the only one who received Him that day.  He comes with infinite, personal love!  That we all believe.

And how does He enter into us?  He does not merely come into our mouths, our hearts ― He comes into our souls, He unites Himself to our souls so intimately that He becomes in a marvellous way one with us.

Let us think for a moment of how the Great, Almighty, Eternal God is in our very soul in the most intimate possible way, that He is there with all His infinite love, that He remains there, not for a moment but for five, ten or more minutes — and this is not once, but every day, if we so wish.

If we think about and understand this, it will be easy to see how He offered all His merits and all His sufferings for each one of us.

 

Chapter 10

THE DEVIL AND THE NAME OF JESUS

The great, great evil, the great danger that threatens each of us every day and every night of our lives, is the devil.

St. Peter and St. Paul warn us in the strongest language to beware of the devil, for he is using all his tremendous power, his mighty intelligence to ruin us, to harm, to hurt us in every way.  There is no danger, no enemy in the world we have to fear as we should fear the devil.

He cannot attack God, so he turns all his implacable hatred and malice against us.

We are destined to take the thrones he and the other Bad Angels have lost.  This lashes him into wild fury against us.  Many foolish, ignorant Catholics never think of this; they take no care to defend themselves and thus allow the devil to inflict on them infinite harm and cause them untold sufferings.

Our best, our easiest remedy is the Name of Jesus.  It drives the devil flying from our sides and saves us from countless evils.

Oh, Dear Readers, say constantly this all-powerful Name and the devil can do you no harm.  Say it in all dangers, in all temptations.  Wake up if you have been asleep.  Open your eyes to the terrible enemy who is ever seeking your ruin.

Priests should preach frequently on this all-important subject.  They should warn their penitents in the confessional against the devil.  They counsel people to avoid bad companions, who make them lead bad lives.  Incomparably more dreadful is the influence of the devil on them.

Teachers, catechists and mothers should constantly warn their children against the devil.

All their efforts will be only too little!

In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow of those that are in
heaven (angels) on earth (men) and under the earth (devils).

Although the Church’s regulations on Indulgences, including those regarding ejaculations, have been changed, perhaps we may still hope to obtain these same Indulgences from God if we ask Him for them with great confidence.  — Editor, 1993.

Here we should also mention St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444), a Franciscan priest who was possibly the greatest propagator ever of devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.  St. Bernardine’s fiery sermons attracted great crowds all over Italy as he preached devotion to the Holy Name.  — Editor, 1993.

As seen on https://olrl.org/pray/wonders.shtml

Litany of the Infant Jesus

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A beautiful litany prayer to the Infant Jesus that offers a wonderful meditation throughout the year but especially during Christmas season.

 

Litany

 

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy,

Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy,

Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy.

Infant Jesus, hear us, Infant Jesus, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

 

Infant Jesus, have mercy on us.

Infant, very God, have mercy on us.

Infant, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.

Infant, begotten before the morning star, have mercy on us.

Infant, Word made flesh, have mercy on us.

Infant, Wisdom of your Father, have mercy on us.

Infant, Purity of your mother, have mercy on us.

Infant, only Son of your Father, have mercy on us.

Infant, First-Born of you mother, have mercy on us.

Infant, Image of your Father, have mercy on us.

Infant, Creator of your mother, have mercy on us.

Infant, Splendour of your Father, have mercy on us.

Infant, Honour of your mother, have mercy on us.

Infant, equal to your Father, have mercy on us.

Infant, subject to your mother, have mercy on us.

Infant, Joy of your Father, have mercy on us.

Infant, Riches of your mother, have mercy on us.

Infant, Gift of your Father, have mercy on us.

Infant, Offering of your mother, have mercy on us.

Infant, precious fruit of a virgin, have mercy on us.

Infant, Creator of man, have mercy on us.

Infant, Power of God, have mercy on us.

Infant, our God, have mercy on us.

Infant, our Brother, have mercy on us.

Infant, perfect Man from your conception, have mercy on us.

Infant, ancient in wisdom from your childhood, have mercy on us.

Infant, Father of ages, have mercy on us.

Infant, of days, have mercy on us.

Infant, giving life, and nourished at the breast, have mercy on us.

Infant, Eternal Word, and making yourself dumb, have mercy on us.

Infant, weeping in the crib, have mercy on us.

Infant, thundering in heaven, have mercy on us.

Infant, terror of hell, have mercy on us.

Infant, Joy of Paradise, have mercy on us.

Infant, dreaded by tyrants, have mercy on us.

Infant, desired by the Magi, have mercy on us.

Infant, exiled from your people, have mercy on us.

Infant, King in exile, have mercy on us.

Infant, Destroyer of idols, have mercy on us.

Infant, Vindicator of the glory of God, have mercy on us.

Infant, strong in weakness, have mercy on us.

Infant, powerful in abasement, have mercy on us.

Infant, Treasure of Grace, have mercy on us.

Infant, Fountain of Love, have mercy on us.

Infant, Author of the blessings of heaven, have mercy on us.

Infant, Repairer of the evils of earth,have mercy on us.

Infant, Head of the angels, have mercy on us.

Infant, Stem of the patriarchs, have mercy on us.

Infant, Word of the prophets, have mercy on us.

Infant, Expectation of nations, have mercy on us.

Infant, Joy of the shepherds, have mercy on us.

Infant, Light of the Magi, have mercy on us.

Infant, Salvation of children, have mercy on us.

Infant, Hope of the just, have mercy on us.

Infant, Teacher of doctors, have mercy on us.

Infant, First-fruits of the saints, have mercy on us.

 

Be merciful, spare us, O Infant Jesus.

Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus.

 

From the bondage of the children of Adam, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the slavery of the devil, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the corruption of the world, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the lust of the flesh, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the pride of life, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the immoderate desire of knowledge, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the blindness of mind, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From the perversity of will, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

From our sins, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most pure conception, deliver us.

Through your most humble birth, deliver us.

Through your tears, deliver us.

Through your most painful circumcision, deliver us.

Through your most glorious epiphany, deliver us.

Through your most devout presentation, deliver us.

Through your most innocent conversation in the world, deliver us.

Through your most holy life, deliver us.

Through your poverty, deliver us.

Through your sorrows, deliver us.

Through your labours and travails, deliver us.

 

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Infant Jesus.

 

Infant Jesus, hear us, Infant Jesus, graciously hear us.

 

Let us pray:

O Lord Jesus, who allowed the greatness of your incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity to be born in time, to become a little child, and to suffer bitter death, grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child, power in weakness, majesty in abasement, so that adoring your humility and littleness on earth we may contemplate your glories in heaven. We ask this of you, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Chaplet of the Holy Infant Jesus

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Divine Infant Jesus, I venerate Your cross and accept all the crosses You will be pleased to send me.

Adorable Trinity, I offer You for the glory of the Holy Name of God, all the adorations of the Sacred Heart of the Holy Infant Jesus.

“And the Word was Made Flesh and dwelt among us.”

Our Father… (3 times, in honour of the Holy Family)

“And The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us”

Hail Mary… (12 times, in honour of the twelve years of the Holy Infancy)

 

The Divine Infant promised Ven. Marguerite that He would grant special graces, above all, purity of heart and innocence, to all who carried this chaplet on their person and recited it in honour of the mysteries of His Holy Infancy.

Efficacious prayer to the Holy Child Jesus

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O Child Jesus, I have recourse to Thee by Thy Holy Mother; I implore Thee to assist me in this necessity, for I firmly believe that Thy Divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Thy holy grace. I love Thee with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and I entreat Thee, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome them.

I firmly resolve never to offend Thee again and to suffer everything rather than displease Thee. Henceforth, I wish to serve Thee faithfully. For love of Thee, O divine Child, I will love my neighbour as myself. O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I entreat Thee again to come to my assistance in this necessity. (Here mention the necessity.) Grant me the grace of possessing Thee eternally with Mary and Joseph, and of adoring Thee with Thy Holy Angels and Saints. Amen.

 

Prayer from a revelation said to have been made by the Blessed Mother to the Ven. Servant of God, Father Cyril of the Mother of God, who died in the odour of sanctity in 1675.

The Nine First Fridays Devotion

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“I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments; my divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in that last moment.”  — Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary

How to complete the First Friday’s Devotion:

  1. Receive Holy Communion on each First Friday;
  2. The nine Fridays must be consecutive;
  3. They must be made in honour and in reparation to His Sacred Heart.

ACT OF REPARATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Sacred Heart of Jesus, animated with a desire to repair the outrages unceasingly offered to Thee, we prostrate before Thy throne of mercy, and in the name of all mankind, pledge our love and fidelity to Thee!
The more Thy mysteries are blasphemed, the more firmly we shall believe them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus!
The more impiety endeavours to extinguish our hopes of immortality, the more we shall trust in Thy Heart, sole hope of mankind!
The more hearts resist Thy Divine attractions, the more we shall love Thee, O infinitely amiable Heart of Jesus!
The more unbelief attacks Thy Divinity, the more humbly and profoundly we shall adore It, O Divine Heart of Jesus!
The more Thy holy laws are transgressed and ignored, the more we shall delight to observe them, O most holy Heart of Jesus!
The more Thy Sacraments are despised and abandoned, the more frequently we shall receive them with love and reverence, O most liberal Heart of Jesus!
The more the imitation of Thy virtues is neglected and forgotten, the more we shall endeavour to practice them, O Heart of Jesus, model of every virtue!
The more the devil labours to destroy souls, the more we shall be inflamed with desire to save them, O Heart of Jesus, zealous Lover of souls!
The more sin and impurity destroy the image of God in man, the more we shall try by purity of life to be a living temple of the Holy Spirit, O Heart of Jesus!
The more Thy Holy Church is despised, the more we shall endeavour to be her faithful children, O Sweet Heart of Jesus!
The more Thy Vicar on earth is persecuted, the more we will honour him as the infallible head of Thy Holy Church, show our fidelity and pray for him, O kingly Heart of Jesus!
O Sacred Heart, through Thy powerful grace, may we become Thy apostles in the midst of a corrupted world, and be Thy crown in the kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

12 Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary

  1.  I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
  2.  I will give peace in their families.
  3.  I will console them in all their troubles.
  4.  I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.
  5.  I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
  6.  Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
  7.  Tepid souls shall become fervent.
  8.  Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
  9.  I will bless those places wherein the image of my Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.
  10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
  11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my Heart.
  12. In the excess of the mercy of my heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.

 

Also Read:

Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus