The Holy Name Of Mary

By St. Alphonsus de 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."

The Abbot Francone, speaking on this subject, says, "there is no other name

after that of the Son, in heaven or on earth, whence pious minds derive so

much grace, hope, and sweetness." 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."

Promises

Consoling indeed are the promises of help made by Jesus Christ to those who

have devotion to the name of Mary; for one day in the hearing of St.

Bridget, He promised His most holy Mother that He would grant three special

graces to those who invoke that holy name with confidence: first, that He

would grant them perfect sorrow for their sins; secondly, that their crimes

should be atoned for; and, thirdly, that He would give them strength to

attain perfection, and at length the glory of paradise. And then our Divine

Savior added: "For thy words, O My Mother, are so sweet and agreeable to
Me,

that I cannot deny what thou askest."

St. Ephrem goes so far as to say, "that the name of Mary is the key of the

gates of heaven," in the hands of those who devoutly invoke it. And thus it

is not without reason that St. Bonaventure says "that Mary is the salvation

of all who call upon her." "O most sweet name! O Mary, what must thou

thyself be, since thy name alone is thus amiable and gracious," exclaims

Blessed Henry Suso.

Let us, therefore, always take advantage of the beautiful advice given us by

St. Bernard, in these words: "In dangers, in perplexities, in doubtful

cases, think of Mary, call on Mary; let her not leave thy lips; let her not

depart from thy heart."

Names of Jesus and Mary

In every danger of forfeiting divine grace, we should think of Mary, and

invoke her name, together with that of Jesus; FOR THESE TWO NAMES
ALWAYS GO

TOGETHER. O, then, never let us permit these two most sweet names to
leave

our hearts, or be off our lips; for they will give us strength not only not

to yield, but to conquer all our temptations.

"The invocation of the sacred names of Jesus and Mary," says Thomas a

Kempis, "is a short prayer which is as sweet to the mind, and as powerful to

protect those who use it against the enemies of their salvation, as it is

easy to remember."

Hour of Death

Thus we see that the most holy name of Mary is sweet indeed to her clients

during life, on account of the very great graces that she obtains for them.

But sweeter still will it be to them in death, on account of the tranquil

and holy end that it will insure them.

Let us then, O devout reader, beg God to grant us, that at death the name of

Mary may be the last word on our lips. This was the prayer of St. Germanus:

"May the last movement of my tongue be to pronounce the name of the Mother

of God;" O sweet, O safe is that death which is accompanied and protected by

so saying a name; for God only grants the grace of invoking it to those whom

He is about to save.

Father Sertorius Caputo, of the Society of Jesus, exhorted all who assist

the dying frequently to pronounce the name of Mary; for this name of life

and hope, when repeated at the hour of death, suffices to put the devils to

flight, and to comfort such persons in their sufferings.

"Blessed is the man who loves thy name, O Mary" exclaims St. Bonaventure.

"Yes, truly blessed is he who loves thy sweet name, O Mother of God! for,"

he continues, "thy name is so glorious and admirable, that no one who

remembers it has any fears at the hour of death." Such is its power, that

none of those who invoke it at the hour of death fear the assaults of their

enemies.

St. Camillus de Lellis urged the members of his community to remind the

dying often to utter the holy names of Jesus and Mary. Such was his custom

when assisting people in their last hour.

Oh, that we may end our lives as did the Capuchin Father, Fulgentius of

Ascoli, who expired singing, "O Mary, O Mary, the most beautiful of

creatures! let us depart together."

Let us conclude with the tender prayer of St. Bonaventure: "I ask thee, O

Mary, for the glory of thy name, to come and meet my soul when it is

departing from this world, and to take it in thine arms."

Mary