This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color white .
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus celebrates the power and saving efficacy of the name of Jesus, given to Him at His Circumcision, recognizing it as central to Christian devotion and salvation history.
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, observed on January 3rd, highlights the profound significance of the name 'Jesus,' which means 'God saves,' as revealed to Mary and Joseph by the angel. This feast, historically linked to the Octave of Christmas and the Circumcision of Jesus when the name was formally given, emphasizes that salvation is found uniquely in Him, as declared in Scripture: 'there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.' It plays a vital role in the liturgical calendar by directing the faithful to the Person of Christ and His saving work, fostering a deep reverence and devotion to His Holy Name as the very embodiment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, observed annually on January 3rd, is a profound celebration within the Catholic liturgical calendar that calls the faithful to a deeper reverence and understanding of the saving power inherent in the very name of Jesus Christ. This feast, situated shortly after Christmas and within the Octave of the Epiphany, serves as a powerful reminder of the identity and mission of the Incarnate Word. It emphasizes that the name “Jesus,” given to our Lord at His circumcision, is not merely a label but a profound revelation of God's saving plan, signifying that He is the one who “will save His people from their sins,” as prophesied by the angel to Joseph. The celebration invites believers to contemplate the immense love and mercy encapsulated in this sacred name, which is truly “above every other name.”
The biblical foundations for the veneration of the Holy Name are deeply rooted in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel instructs Mary, "You shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus" (Luke 1:31). Similarly, in Matthew's Gospel, an angel appears to Joseph, commanding him, "You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The name, derived from the Hebrew "Yeshua" or "Yehoshua," literally means "Yahweh saves" or "God is salvation." This divine mandate underscores that the name itself embodies the very purpose of Christ's Incarnation: to bring salvation to humanity. Throughout the Acts of the Apostles, the power of the name of Jesus is repeatedly invoked for healing, deliverance, and the proclamation of the Gospel, solidifying its central role in early Christian belief and practice.
The devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus gained significant momentum and formal recognition during the medieval period. Early figures like St. Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century) were instrumental in fostering this devotion, often meditating and writing eloquently on the sweetness and efficacy of the name. He famously referred to the name of Jesus as "light, food, medicine, and joy." However, it was Saint Bernardine of Siena (15th century), a Franciscan friar, who became the most ardent and influential promoter of the devotion. He traveled throughout Italy, preaching with immense zeal and carrying a tablet inscribed with the monogram IHS (the first three Greek letters of the name Jesus, or often interpreted as *Iesus Hominum Salvator* – Jesus, Savior of Men) surrounded by rays of light. His fervent preaching and the miraculous healings attributed to the invocation of the Holy Name led to its widespread popularization across Europe.
Following St. Bernardine's tireless efforts, the devotion continued to flourish, particularly within the Franciscan Order, which played a crucial role in its dissemination. Various confraternities and societies dedicated to the Holy Name were established, encouraging daily invocation and public veneration. The formal institution of the feast itself, however, came much later. While the Franciscans had a votive Mass for the Holy Name since the late 14th century, it was Pope Innocent XIII who officially extended the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus to the universal Church in 1721. Initially, it was assigned to the Sunday between January 2nd and January 5th, or to January 2nd if no such Sunday occurred.
The placement of the feast in the liturgical calendar has seen some adjustments over time. Prior to the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the feast was celebrated on the Sunday between January 2nd and January 5th. After the 1969 revision of the Roman Calendar, the feast was removed as an obligatory universal celebration, although a votive Mass of the Holy Name was retained. However, due to its deep historical roots and spiritual significance, Pope John Paul II restored the optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus to the General Roman Calendar in 2002, assigning it to January 3rd. This date is fittingly placed within the Christmas season, connecting the naming of Jesus directly to His birth and circumcision, events that solidify His human identity and divine mission.
The meaning of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus extends far beyond a historical commemoration; it is a profound theological and spiritual truth for every believer. The name of Jesus is presented as the source of all salvation, grace, and strength. It is through this name that prayers are offered, demons are cast out, and miracles are wrought. For Catholics, invoking the Holy Name is a powerful act of faith, a recognition of Christ's sovereignty, and a plea for His divine assistance. It encourages a deeper personal relationship with Jesus, fostering a spirit of humility, trust, and loving devotion. The feast reminds us that in every moment of joy, sorrow, temptation, or need, the name of Jesus is a refuge, a comfort, and the ultimate gateway to eternal life, embodying the very essence of God's redemptive love for humanity.
In the tumultuous 15th century, when Italy was rent by bitter factionalism and moral decay, a voice arose from the Franciscan Order – that of Friar Bernardine of Siena. He traveled from town to town, not with a sword or a political banner, but with a simple wooden tablet. On this tablet, he had painted in gold the sacred monogram 'IHS,' the first three Greek letters of the name 'Jesus,' often interpreted as *Iesus Hominum Salvator* (Jesus, Savior of Men), surrounded by a glorious sunburst.
When Bernardine preached, his words, though plain, were aflame with divine love and conviction. But it was the moment he would lift his tablet, holding high the shining symbol of the Holy Name, that true transformations unfolded. Crowds, often numbering in the thousands, would fall to their knees, tears streaming down their faces. Feuds that had lasted generations would be reconciled on the spot. Gamblers would cast their dice and cards into bonfires, and bitter enemies would embrace, moved by an inexplicable peace.
There was a time in Bologna when Bernardine was accused of idolatry for this very practice. Critics argued he was leading people astray, encouraging them to worship a mere symbol rather than God Himself. Summoned before Pope Martin V, Bernardine humbly explained his devotion, asserting that the monogram was merely a means to direct hearts to the divine Person of Christ. As he spoke, a blind man, brought forward as if by divine providence, cried out for healing. Bernardine, with serene confidence, invoked the Holy Name of Jesus over him. Instantly, the man’s sight was restored.
The Pope, witnessing this undeniable proof of God's favor through the Holy Name, not only exonerated Bernardine but became a fervent supporter of the devotion. Through Bernardine's tireless efforts, the devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus spread like wildfire across Europe. He showed that the name, whispered in prayer or proclaimed with fervor, was not just a sound, but a living, active power. It was a beacon of hope in darkness, a balm for the wounded, and a call to conversion. The Sun of Siena, as he was known, left behind a legacy where the very name of Jesus became a rallying cry for peace, repentance, and salvation, forever linking his memory with the universal veneration of the Holy Name.
1910
The Name of Jesus is the Name given to the Son of God Incarnate, the proper Name of the God-Man, Jesus Christ. It is a Name which, as St. Paul says (Philippians 2:10), is above every name, a Name in which is salvation (Acts 4:12), a Name at which every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. The Name was given to the Child by God's command, brought by the Angel Gabriel to Mary: 'And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus' (Luke 1:31). And to Joseph the angel said: 'thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). The Name Jesus, therefore, expresses the mission of the Child, its very meaning being 'the Lord is salvation'. The Name is a summary of the whole work of salvation, which is accomplished in the Person of Jesus Christ.
From the earliest times, Christians have held the Name of Jesus in the greatest reverence. The Fathers of the Church, such as St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeus, and Tertullian, frequently refer to the power of the Name in exorcisms and healings. The early Christians often invoked the Name of Jesus in their prayers, seeing it as a source of strength and protection. This veneration was not merely for the sound of the word, but for the divine Person it represents, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, who became man for our salvation.
The devotion to the Holy Name gained widespread popularity in the Middle Ages, largely due to the efforts of Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444), a Franciscan friar. He traveled throughout Italy, preaching fervent sermons on the power and sweetness of the Name of Jesus. He carried with him a tablet on which was inscribed the monogram 'IHS' (the first three Greek letters of the name Jesus, Iota-Eta-Sigma), often interpreted as *Iesus Hominum Salvator* – Jesus, Savior of Men, surrounded by a sunburst. He would lift this tablet during his sermons, encouraging the faithful to venerate the Name. His preaching often led to miraculous conversions and healings, and he is credited with popularizing the public display of the IHS monogram. This monogram became a widely recognized symbol, appearing on churches, altars, and private homes, serving as a constant reminder of Christ's presence and saving power.
The formal institution of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus for the universal Church came later. While various religious orders, particularly the Franciscans, had celebrated the devotion with a special Mass since the 14th century, it was Pope Innocent XIII who extended the feast to the entire Latin Church in 1721. It was initially assigned to the Sunday between January 2nd and January 5th. After the liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council, the feast was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 as an obligatory celebration, though a votive Mass was retained. However, recognizing its profound spiritual significance and historical importance, Pope John Paul II restored it as an optional memorial on January 3rd in 2002. This placement is particularly fitting as it falls within the Christmas Octave, connecting the naming of Jesus directly to His birth and circumcision, the very moment He received the Name that signifies His divine mission as Savior.
The feast serves as a powerful reminder of the centrality of Jesus Christ in Christian life and salvation history. It calls the faithful to a deeper reverence for His Person and His work. By invoking His Holy Name, believers acknowledge His sovereignty, His redemptive sacrifice, and His continuous presence. It is a name that brings comfort in distress, strength in temptation, and hope in despair. It is the name 'in which is salvation,' as declared by St. Peter. The devotion encourages frequent invocation of the Name, not as a magical incantation, but as a loving act of faith and trust in the One who alone can save. It invites us to live lives worthy of the Name we bear as Christians, followers of Christ, the Anointed One, whose very Name is salvation.
A universal liturgical practice dictates that the faithful bow their head reverently when the name of Jesus is spoken during Mass or other prayers.
This tradition is a gesture of profound respect and adoration, acknowledging the divine majesty and saving power inherent in the Holy Name of Jesus, as prescribed in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
The widespread use and veneration of the IHS monogram, representing the first three Greek letters of the name Jesus (Iota, Eta, Sigma), often interpreted as *Iesus Hominum Salvator* (Jesus, Savior of Men).
This symbol was famously popularized by Saint Bernardine of Siena in the 15th century, who carried a tablet bearing the monogram during his missions to promote devotion to the Holy Name and combat blasphemy.
The recitation of the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, a formal prayer approved by the Church that invokes numerous titles and attributes of Christ.
This litany serves to deepen devotion to Jesus by meditating on His divine identity and redemptive work, and it was formally approved for universal use by Pope Leo XIII in 1886.
The establishment of Confraternities of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, societies dedicated to fostering public and private devotion to the Holy Name.
These confraternities, which gained prominence after the 13th century and were greatly promoted by the Dominican Order, aimed to combat blasphemy and promote reverence for Jesus Christ, organizing processions and acts of reparation.
A common pious practice involves the spontaneous invocation of the name of Jesus, often paired with Mary and Joseph (e.g., 'Jesus, Mary, Joseph'), especially in moments of distress, joy, or as a simple act of faith throughout the day.
This popular tradition reflects a deep-seated belief in the power and efficacy of the Holy Name for protection, comfort, and as a constant prayer, drawing on the biblical understanding that 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bend' (Philippians 2:10).