The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, observed on September 12 in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, commemorates the sanctity and power inherent in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This observance, which emphasizes Mary's pivotal role as the Mother of God and her intercessory power, has evolved over centuries, blending theological reverence with historical events. As we approach the feast on September 12, 2025—tomorrow from the current date of September 11—this celebration serves as a timely reminder of Mary's protective mantle, especially in times of crisis.
The feast's roots trace back to the early 16th century in Spain. In 1513, Pope Julius II granted permission for the Diocese of Cuenca to celebrate the Holy Name of Mary on September 15, the octave day of Mary's Nativity (September 8). This initial observance included a proper liturgical office, reflecting the growing devotion to Mary's name as a symbol of her purity and grace. By the mid-17th century, the feast had spread to other regions, including the Kingdom of Naples in 1671, where it was observed with increasing fervor.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the feast was first instituted at Cuenca and assigned to September 15. It was later transferred to September 17 following the reform of the Breviary by Pope St. Pius V, as decreed by Pope Sixtus V in 1587. It was extended to the Archdiocese of Toledo in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and to the Spanish Trinitarians in 1640. On November 15, 1658, it was granted to the Oratory of Cardinal Berulle under the title "Solemnitas Gloriosae Virginis," and by January 26, 1671, it encompassed all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples.
A pivotal moment came in 1683 with the Battle of Vienna, where Christian forces, led by Polish King John III Sobieski, decisively defeated the Ottoman Turks on September 12. Sobieski attributed the victory to Mary's intercession, having invoked her name before the battle. In gratitude, Pope Innocent XI extended the feast to the universal Church on November 25, 1683, initially assigning it to the Sunday after Mary's Nativity as a "duplex majus" (major double feast). This extension was granted to Austria as a second-class feast on August 1, 1654, and later to other orders, such as the Discalced Carmelites in 1666, who were allowed to recite a special office four times a year.
The feast's date shifted over time: from September 15 to 17, then to the Sunday after the Nativity, and finally fixed on September 12 by Pope Pius X in the early 20th century to align more closely with the Vienna victory. It was temporarily suppressed after Vatican II but restored as an optional memorial by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002, highlighting its enduring relevance.
The feast serves as the patronal celebration for orders like the Clerics Regular of the Pious Schools (Piarists) and the Society of Mary (Marianists), who observe it with a proper office. The Discalced Carmelites and the Nuns of Perpetual Adoration in France (1827) also adopted special observances. In the Ambrosian Calendar of Milan, it is assigned to September 11. A decree from July 8, 1908, stipulated that if the assigned Sunday coincides with a higher-ranking feast, it should be observed on September 12, as noted in the Roman Martyrology.
Theologically, the Holy Name of Mary is revered for its intrinsic link to her divine motherhood and her role as a mediator of graces. As the Catholic Encyclopedia explains, the feast commemorates "all the privileges given to Mary by God and all the graces we have received through her intercession and mediation." Mary's name evokes her exalted status as the "holiest of creatures, the Queen of heaven and earth, the Mother of Mercy."
The name "Mary" (Hebrew: Miryam; Aramaic: Mariam) has multiple proposed meanings, reflecting her multifaceted role:
- "Beloved" or "God-loving" (from Egyptian "mir" meaning love and "Yahu" for God).
- "Star of the Sea" (Stella Maris), a title from St. Bernard of Clairvaux, portraying Mary as a guiding light amid life's storms.
- "Bitter" (Hebrew "merur"), symbolizing her sorrows, particularly the Seven Sorrows foretold in Luke 2:35.
- Other interpretations include "lady," "hope," "exalted one," or "enlightener" (from St. Isidore of Seville), as she bore Jesus, the Light of the World (John 8:12).
Biblically, Mary's name is tied to key moments:
- The Annunciation: "Hail, Mary, full of grace" (Luke 1:28, often translated as "highly favored one").
- The Visitation: "Blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:42).
- Her Magnificat: "All generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48).
As Theotokos (Mother of God), declared at the Council of Ephesus in 431, Mary's name underscores Christ's divinity. This counters heresies like Nestorianism, which separated Christ's natures.
The feast parallels the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (January 3), emphasizing how Mary's name leads to her Son. St. Bernard described it as "like oil that gives light and healing." Invoking Mary's name is seen as a source of grace, as St. Methodius noted that no one can pronounce it devoutly without receiving a spiritual favor.
In salvation history, Mary's name symbolizes her total opposition to Satan (Genesis 3:15) and her role as the New Eve, cooperating in redemption without equaling Christ's unique mediation (1 Timothy 2:5).
Devotion to Mary's name involves prayers, novenas, and reflections, often tied to historical victories like Vienna.
- Hail Mary: Rooted in Luke 1:28 and 1:42, it invokes her name for intercession.
- Litany of the Holy Name of Mary: Includes titles like "Mother of the Living God," "Star of the Sea," "Queen of Mercy," and "Our Hope." Formalized post-1683, it is a private devotion.
- Novena to the Holy Name of Mary: Often prayed from September 3-11, focusing on her joys and sorrows. Examples include petitions for graces, with nine Hail Marys and reflections on her Incarnation role.
- A Sinner's Prayer to the Most Holy Name of Mary: Shared in recent devotions, emphasizing repentance.
- St. Anthony of Padua (+1231): "Sweeter to the lips than the honeycomb, more delightful to the ear than a sweet song."
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux (+1153): "A brilliant star that shines upon the world, guiding souls to salvation."
- St. Alphonsus Liguori (+1787): "One sigh of Mary avails more with God than the united prayers of all the saints."
- St. John Henry Newman: "She is the pattern of those who shall hereafter be glorified."
- St. Maximilian Kolbe: "The Immaculata is Suppliant Omnipotence."
- St. Peter Damian: "The high holiness of the Seraphim is overshadowed by Mary's virtues."
Indulgences: Pius IX granted 100 days for the ejaculation "O Mary, who didst come into the world free from stain" (March 27, 1863).
- Art: Bouguereau's Madonna of the Roses (1903); Trinity Dome in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
- Global Celebrations: Patronal feast in various orders; recent X discussions highlight novenas and Masses for September 12, 2025.
- Miracles: Linked to Vienna; apparitions like Fatima emphasize her name's power.
On September 12, readings focus on Mary's faith (e.g., Luke 1:26-38). It encourages seeking her intercession amid crises, as in 1683. In 2025, with global challenges, her name invokes peace, as "Queen of Peace."
Pope Benedict XVI noted Mary's birth as the "dawn before the rising of the Sun of Justice," linking her to Christ's mystery.
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