This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color green .
The Most Holy Name of Mary is a liturgical feast celebrating the profound significance and intercessory power of the Blessed Virgin Mary's name, encouraging devotion to her as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, observed on September 12, is a liturgical celebration honoring the profound significance and spiritual power inherent in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast, universally established by Pope Innocent XI in 1683, partly in thanksgiving for the Christian victory at the Battle of Vienna, encourages the faithful to venerate Mary's name as a source of grace and a powerful invocation for her maternal intercession. It deepens devotion to the Mother of God, recognizing her essential role in salvation history and her continuous care for the Church and all believers.
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, observed annually on September 12, is a profound liturgical celebration within the Roman Catholic Church, dedicated not to a specific event in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but rather to the veneration of her sacred name itself. This feast, positioned just four days after the Nativity of Mary on September 8, serves to amplify and deepen the devotion to the Mother of God, acknowledging the immense power and spiritual significance attributed to her holy name. For centuries, Christians have invoked Mary's name as a powerful plea for intercession, a source of comfort, and a shield against evil, recognizing in it a condensed expression of her unique role in salvation history as the Theotokos, the God-bearer, and the spiritual mother of all believers. It is a testament to the enduring love and reverence the faithful hold for her, echoing the biblical promise that all generations would call her blessed.
The origins of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary can be traced back to the early 16th century, specifically to Spain. The first official liturgical recognition of this devotion occurred in 1513 when Pope Julius II granted permission for the Diocese of Cuenca in Spain to celebrate the feast. This local observance quickly gained traction, and by 1622, Pope Gregory XV extended the feast to the entire Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples, solidifying its place in their regional calendars. This early expansion demonstrated a growing recognition of the spiritual efficacy and importance of invoking Mary's name, laying the groundwork for its eventual universal adoption. The practice of honoring names, particularly those of holy figures, was already a deeply ingrained tradition within Christian piety, reflecting the belief that a name encapsulates the essence and power of the person it represents.
The pivotal moment that propelled the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary into the universal calendar of the Catholic Church occurred in 1683. Europe was facing a grave threat from the Ottoman Empire, which had laid siege to Vienna, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The situation was dire, and the fall of Vienna seemed imminent, potentially opening the way for Ottoman expansion into the heart of Christian Europe. In response, Pope Innocent XI fervently appealed to Christian rulers for unity and prayer, urging the faithful to invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On September 12, 1683, the combined Christian forces, led by King John III Sobieski of Poland, decisively defeated the Ottoman army, lifting the siege and securing a miraculous victory. In profound gratitude and recognition of Mary's perceived intercession, Pope Innocent XI extended the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary to the entire Latin Rite on September 12, 1684, making it a universal observance and a perpetual memorial of this miraculous deliverance.
The theological significance of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary extends far beyond a mere historical commemoration; it delves into the profound spiritual power attributed to names in general, and Mary's name in particular, within the Christian tradition. In biblical thought, a name is not merely a label but often reveals the essence, character, and mission of a person. For Mary, her name embodies her unique vocation as the Mother of God, chosen from all eternity to bear the Incarnate Word. The invocation of "Mary" is therefore seen as an appeal to her maternal care, her powerful intercession with her Son, Jesus Christ, and her unparalleled purity and holiness. Saints and theologians throughout history have emphasized that her name, when invoked with faith and devotion, offers solace in trials, protection from evil, and a sure path to her Son, acting as a spiritual refuge and a source of grace.
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary serves as a powerful impetus for deepening Marian devotion in the daily lives of the faithful. It encourages Christians to frequently and reverently pronounce her name, not as an empty formula, but as a heartfelt prayer and an expression of profound trust in her maternal solicitude. This devotion is interwoven with countless other Catholic practices, such as the Holy Rosary, where her name is repeated countless times in the Hail Mary, and the Litany of Loreto, which invokes her under numerous titles, each emphasizing an aspect of her virtues or her role. By focusing on her name, the Church guides believers to contemplate Mary's virtues, her unwavering faith, her humility, and her perfect obedience to God's will, inviting them to emulate her example and draw closer to Christ through her. It reminds the faithful that Mary is ever-present as a loving mother, ready to assist those who call upon her.
In the contemporary Church, the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary continues to hold immense spiritual importance, reinforcing the timeless truth of Mary's unique position in salvation history and her ongoing role as an intercessor. It stands as a perennial reminder of the spiritual battles faced by the Church and the world, encouraging reliance on divine providence and the powerful prayers of the Blessed Mother. Through this feast, Catholics worldwide are invited to renew their personal consecration to Mary, to seek her guidance in times of difficulty, and to remember that her name is a beacon of hope and a source of strength. It fosters a deeper appreciation for the communion of saints and the solidarity of the Church, both militant and triumphant, affirming that Mary's maternal protection extends to all who bear the name of Christ and seek her aid on their pilgrimage toward eternal life.
The year is 1683. All of Christian Europe held its breath, trembling on the precipice of ruin. The vast, formidable armies of the Ottoman Empire, under the command of Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasha, had swept across the continent, their relentless advance culminating in the siege of Vienna, the very heart of the Holy Roman Empire. For two months, the city had endured, its defenders dwindling, its walls battered, and hope fading with each passing day. The Crescent banner threatened to supplant the Cross across the lands of Christendom.
From Rome, Pope Innocent XI, a man of profound faith and unwavering resolve, watched with a heavy heart. He knew that military might alone might not suffice against such an overwhelming force. He had tirelessly urged Christian princes to unite, to put aside their squabbles and stand together. But more than earthly armies, he believed in the power of divine intervention. He called upon all the faithful to pray, to fast, and, most especially, to invoke the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Help of Christians. He exhorted them to utter her most holy name, Mary, believing it to be a fortress against all enemies, visible and invisible.
On September 12th, the decisive moment arrived. The relief army, a coalition of Imperial, Polish, and German forces, led by the valiant King John III Sobieski of Poland, launched a desperate, thunderous assault from the Kahlenberg hills overlooking Vienna. The battle raged fiercely, a colossal clash of civilizations. The Christian soldiers, though weary, fought with renewed vigor, their hearts bolstered by the prayers echoing across Europe and their trust in the Mother of God.
As the day wore on, against all odds, the tide began to turn. The disciplined charge of Sobieski's winged hussars, combined with the desperate valor of the Viennese defenders, broke the seemingly impregnable Ottoman lines. The Grand Vizier's army, previously invincible, began to crumble, then to flee in disarray. The victory was total, miraculous, and undeniably decisive. Vienna was saved, and with it, the future of Christian Europe.
Upon receiving the joyous news, Pope Innocent XI was overcome with gratitude. He recognized that this astonishing triumph was not merely a result of military strategy but a profound answer to the fervent prayers offered through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In an act of profound thanksgiving and to perpetually commemorate this divine deliverance, he extended the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary to the entire universal Church. From that day forward, September 12th would forever be a day to honor the sacred name of Mary, a name proven to be a source of strength, protection, and salvation for all who invoke it with faith and devotion. It was a testament to the enduring belief that in her name, Christians find a powerful advocate and a loving mother, ever ready to come to their aid.
1750
The holy name of Mary, according to St. Bernard, is filled with all sweetness and divine grace. He says that the name of Mary is 'honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and joy in the heart.' This is because it is a source of joy to all who utter it, and fills their souls with heavenly consolation. It is a name that brings comfort to the afflicted, hope to the despairing, and strength to the weak. It is a name that dissipates the darkness of temptation and illuminates the path to salvation.
Richard of St. Lawrence asserts that 'from the very moment that the Mother of God was named Mary, it was known that her name would be filled with every grace and blessing.' He continues, 'This name, so full of grace, is a gift from God to men, for by it, they obtain all good.' Indeed, it is a name that brings grace, mercy, and salvation. The very sound of it inspires confidence and love, drawing hearts closer to her Immaculate Heart.
St. Ephrem, the Syrian, goes so far as to say that 'the name of Mary is a key to the gate of heaven.' This signifies that through her intercession, and by invoking her sacred name, we can unlock the treasures of divine mercy and gain access to eternal beatitude. It is a name that opens the way for sinners to return to God, for the lukewarm to find fervor, and for the devout to grow in holiness.
Moreover, the name of Mary is a powerful weapon against the assaults of the devil. As St. Bonaventure teaches, 'The devils fly when they hear the name of Mary, even more than when they hear the name of Jesus Christ.' This is not to say that the name of Mary is greater than the name of Jesus, but rather that the demons, filled with immense hatred for her purity and humility, and knowing that she is the one who crushed the head of the serpent, flee in terror at the mere mention of her name. It is a source of confusion and torment to them, and a shield of protection for us.
Therefore, let us frequently invoke this most sweet and powerful name. Let us never cease to call upon Mary in all our necessities, in all our temptations, and in all our dangers. Let us have her name ever on our lips and in our hearts, for by it, we shall overcome all obstacles and obtain all graces. For, as St. Bernard concludes, 'If you are troubled by the waves of temptation, or tossed about by the storms of tribulation, look to the Star, call upon Mary. If the winds of pride, of avarice, of envy, or of impurity rage within you, look to Mary. If anger, or avarice, or the desires of the flesh assail the little boat of your soul, look to Mary. If you are disturbed by the greatness of your sins, confounded by the foulness of your conscience, terrified by the horrors of judgment, and begin to be swallowed up in the whirlpool of sadness and despair, think of Mary. In dangers, in perplexities, in doubts, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let her not depart from your mouth, nor from your heart; and that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, forget not the example of her life. If you follow her, you will not go astray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you think of her, you will not err; if she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you will not fear; if she guides you, you will not grow weary; if she is propitious to you, you will reach the haven.'
This devotion to her holy name is not merely a pious practice; it is a profound recognition of her integral role in God's plan of salvation. It acknowledges her as the Gate of Heaven, the Morning Star, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Refuge of Sinners. By invoking her name, we place ourselves under her maternal mantle, drawing upon the immense treasury of graces that God has bestowed upon her for the benefit of humanity. It is a simple yet powerful act of faith, a constant reminder of her ever-present love and willingness to assist her children on their earthly pilgrimage towards their eternal home with God. Thus, the name of Mary is a perpetual fountain of grace, ever flowing for those who approach it with humility and confidence.
Local liturgical observance of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary prior to its universal extension.
The feast originated in Spain, with the first known celebration in Cuenca in 1513, indicating early regional devotion to the Holy Name of Mary.
Commemoration of the Christian victory at the Battle of Vienna, often marked by special prayers of thanksgiving.
The feast was extended to the universal Church by Pope Innocent XI in 1684 as an act of profound gratitude for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the decisive victory over the Ottoman Empire on September 12, 1683, saving Vienna and Christendom.