Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the book entitled Man's Search For Meaning, by Victor Frankel, he wrote about his experience being in the Concentration Camp during World War II. One experience he shared was the way he was treated. The guards would never call him or his fellow prisoners by name. They would call them by a nickname, but not their actual names. Each prisoner would also be given a number. For instance, a person could be number 52,432. That number would also be tatooed on their left arm. If you see a surviving holocaust Jew, they could show you their number. By referring to them by number, it took away their humanity. They were just a statistic. If you don't know their history, background, their cultures, customs and traditions, who their parents are, their siblings, their profession, their contributions, their status within the community, it decrease their value, dignity and worth. The people were just a number on a list.

A person's name is very important. The name is important. Our parents chose that name for us, and there's a reason why they chose that name for us. God honors the chosen name. That name is written in the church records when we receive the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. The name is also written in the book of life, it is written in heaven.

Today, we honor the special name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast occurs in the Octave of the Mary's birthday, on September 8. The name “Mary,” being the name of the Blessed Mother, deserves special respect and devotion, and is celebrated in four ways. First, Mary is a name of honor, since the faithful praise Mary as the Mother of our Divine Savior; she is rightfully called “Mother of God,” for Jesus true God, second person of the Holy Trinity. Second, Mary is a most holy name, because the very mention of her name reminds us she is full of grace, has found favor with God, and is blessed among all women. Third, Mary is a maternal name, because she is our Mother, whom our Lord gave to us a He was dying on the cross (cf. John19:26-27). Finally, Mary is a name of the mother who responds to all of our needs, protects us from evil, and prays “for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.”

We are saved and redeemed by the Holy Name of Jesus. We are assisted by the name of Mary. God, in his goodness gives us Mary, for protection, for divine assistance, for prayers, for help.