The Church reveals to us the wonders of the Incarnate Word by singing the glories of His name.
Among the Jews a child was named when he was circumcised, and for this reason the Church repeats to-day the Gospel appointed for the feast of the Circumcision giving particular emphasis to the final sentence: “His name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” *The name of Jesus means Savoiur and “there is no other name under heaven,” says St. Peter, “given to men, whereby we must be saved” (Epistle). “In the name of Jesus,” says St. Bernard, “the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear.” This name of Jesus, “a remedy for our souls, sweet to the lips like honey, tuneful to the ear, gladness to the heart,” should be often on our lips here below if we desire to have the joy of seeing our names written in heaven under His glorious Name (Postcommunion).
The origin of this feast goes back to the sixteenth century when it was already celebrated by the Franciscan Order. In 1721 Innocent XIII extended its observance to the whole world. Bd. Pius X fixed it at the present date.
There is an indulgence of 300 days for the pious invocation of the Holy Name of Jesus or Mary; plenary once a month for daily recitation under the usual conditions; plenary also at the moment of death under the usual conditions, for the invocation with the lips, or at least in the heart, with an act of acceptance of death as a punishment for sin.
* The angel of the Lord being sent by God to Mary, told her: “Thou shalt bring forth a Son and thou shalt call His name Jesus.” (St. Luke, 1. 31). Again: “Behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in his sleep, saying: “Joseph, Mary thy wife shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call His name Jesus” (St. Matt. 1. 20-21).
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