The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Detail, The Madonna of the Roses,
William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1903.

September 12th is the Feast of The Most Holy Name of Mary

The Holy Name of Mary — The Power of Her Name

By St. Alphonsus Liguori

"Richard of St. Laurence states 'there is not such powerful help in any name, nor is there any other name given to men, after that of Jesus, from which so much salvation is poured forth upon men as from the name of Mary.' He continues, 'that the devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next.'
After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness.

Hence Richard of St. Laurence encourages sinners to have recourse to this great name, 'because it alone will suffice to cure them of all their evils;' and 'there is no disorder, however malignant, that does not immediately yield to the power of the name of Mary.' The Blessed Raymond Jordano says, 'that however hardened and diffident a heart may be, the name of this most Blessed Virgin has such efficacy, that if it is only pronounced that heart will be wonderfully softened.' Moreover, it is well known, and is daily experienced by the clients of Mary, that her powerful name gives the particular strength necessary to overcome temptations against purity.

In fine, 'thy name, O Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings,' as St. Methodius says. So much so, that St. Bonaventure declares, 'that thy name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly.' ...grant, O Lady, that we may often remember to name thee with love and confidence; for this practice either shows the possession of divine grace, or else is a pledge that we shall soon recover it.

On the other hand, Thomas a Kempis affirms 'that the devils fear the Queen of heaven to such a degree, that only on hearing her great name pronounced, they fly from him who does so as from a burning fire.' The Blessed Virgin herself revealed to St. Bridget 'that there is not on earth a sinner, however devoid he may be of the love of God, from whom the devil is not obliged immediately to fly, if he invokes her holy name with a determination to repent.' On another occasion she repeated the same thing to the saint, saying, 'that all the devils venerate and fear her name to such a degree, that on hearing it they immediately loosen the claws with which they hold the soul captive.' Our Blessed Lady also told St. Bridget, 'that in the same way as the rebel angels fly from sinners who invoke the name of Mary, so also do the good angels approach nearer to just souls who pronounce her name with devotion.'" ...