The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary (September 12th in the traditional Roman calendar) is one of the tenderest devotions of the Church, centered upon the Blessed Virgin’s name itself—a name full of sweetness, power, and grace. While not a hagiography in the strict sense (since Our Lady transcends the category of saints as Queen of all Saints), the feast’s history and spiritual meaning are deeply tied to her role as Mother, Advocate, and Protector of the faithful.
Here is a traditional-style hagiographic account of the Holy Name of Mary:
Origins and Meaning of the Name
The name Mary (Miriam in Hebrew) has been interpreted by the Fathers and saints with a wealth of meanings:
- “Star of the Sea” (Stella Maris), guiding souls safely to Christ.
- “Lady” or “Mistress”, denoting her sovereignty under God.
- “Bitter Sea”, recalling her sorrows united to the Passion of her Son.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux extolled the Holy Name of Mary as a sure refuge: “In dangers, in perplexities, in doubtful cases, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from thy lips, nor ever suffer it to depart from thy heart.”
Institution of the Feast
The feast was established in 1683 by Pope Innocent XI, in thanksgiving for the miraculous victory of Christian forces over the Turks at the Battle of Vienna. On September 12th, King John III Sobieski of Poland, invoking the Blessed Virgin’s protection, crushed the Ottoman siege, thereby saving Christendom from invasion.
This triumph was seen not as a mere military success, but as a manifestation of Mary’s intercession through the invocation of her Holy Name.
Devotion to the Holy Name
Throughout the centuries, devotion to Mary’s name has been cherished as a source of consolation and strength. The saints teach:
- St. Alphonsus Liguori: Her name alone puts demons to flight and fills the angels with joy.
- St. Bonaventure: Whoever bears the name of Mary in their heart shall never be overcome.
Liturgical Expression
The traditional liturgy of the feast includes:
- Introit (Ps. 44): “All the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King…”
- Collect: Praying that all who devoutly venerate Mary’s name may feel her protection on earth and experience her vision in heaven.
- Gradual (Ps. 44): “Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary, who without spot wast found the Mother of the Saviour…”
Spiritual Lesson
The hagiography of the Holy Name of Mary teaches:
- Her name is a shield in temptation.
- A comfort in suffering.
- A key to deeper union with Christ, for all her prerogatives point to Him.
As the name of Jesus is salvation, so the name of Mary is the path leading to the Saviour.