Mass Of The Holy Name Of Jesus - Memorial

Saint Paul taught that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (Phil. 2:10). The Church’s veneration of the name of Jesus flourished through the teachings of the Franciscan Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444 A.D.). The Franciscans and the Dominicans venerated the most Holy Name of Jesus with special memorials for many years. In 1721 the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was mandated for the universal Church.

This Most Holy Name should be on our lips during our lives and especially at the moment of our death. This Name means Savior, "for there is no other name given to men whereby we must be saved." The curing of a cripple was accomplished by the power of Jesus. Salvation for everybody comes through the crucifixion, resurrection, and graces of Jesus. The Church invites us to celebrate in a solemn feast, the Holy Name of Jesus.

Prayer in Preparation for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the Doctor of Life, unclean to the Fountain of Mercy, blind to the Radiance of Eternal Light, and poor and needy to the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Lord, in your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the bread of angels, the King of kings and the Lord of lords with humble reverence and with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help to bring me salvation. May I receive the Lord’s body and blood, and its reality and power. Kind God, may I receive the Body of your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so be received into His Mystical Body and numbered among his members. Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive your beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see Him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with you forever. AMEN.
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225-74

Entrance Antiphon: Phil 2: 10,11 At the name of Jesus every knee must bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; every tongue should proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord.

Opening Prayer

Lord, may we who honor the holy name of Jesus enjoy his friendship in this life and be filled with eternal joy in his kingdom, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Main readings for the Mass of the Holy Name of Jesus (optional memorial):

First Reading: Phil 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: PS 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Refrain: "O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!"

Gospel verse: Mt 1:21

Gospel: Lk 2:21-24

or, readings for the Votive Mass of the Holy Name of Jesus may be used. These include the following selections:

Readings from the Old Testament: Ex 3:11-15, Sir 51:8-12

Reading I from the New Testament ; During the Easter Season Acts 3:1-10, Acts 4:8-12, Acts 5:27-32, 40-42

Responsorial Psalm: IS 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6,
Refrain: "You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation."

PS 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Refrain: "The glory of the Lord is higher than the skies."

Reading II from the New Testament: 1 Cor 1:1-3, Phil 2:6-11, Col 3:12-17

Alleluia: Ps 96:2, Dn 3:52b

Gospel: Mt 1:18-25, Lk 2:16-21, Jn 14:6-14

Prayer Over The Gifts (Offertory)

All-powerful Father, accept our gifts in the name of Jesus Christ your Son. We have faith that we will receive whatever we ask for in his name for this is what he promised. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: (Acts 4:12) No other name under heaven has been given to men by which we can be saved.

Prayer after Communion God of mercy, May we honor our Lord Jesus Christ by these holy mysteries, for you wish all men to worship him and find salvation in his name. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Short Prayer After Holy Communion

Sweetest Jesus, Body and Blood most Holy, be the delight and pleasure of my soul, my strength and salvation in all temptations, my joy and peace in every trial, my light and guide in every word and deed, and my final protection in death. Amen

St Thomas Aquinas, 1225-74

Prayer of Thanksgiving After Holy Communion

I thank You, O holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, who have deigned, not through any merits of mine, but out of the condescension of Your goodness, to satisfy me a sinner, Your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion be not a condemnation to punishment for me, but a saving plea to forgiveness. May it be to me the armor of faith and the shield of a good will. May it be the emptying out of my vices and the extinction of all lustful desires; and increase of charity and patience, of humility and obedience, and all virtues; a strong defense against the snares of all my enemies, visible and invisible; the perfect quieting of all my evil impulses of flesh and spirit, binding me firmly to You, the one true God; and a happy ending of my life. I pray too that You will deign to bring me, a sinner, to that ineffable banquet where You with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, are to your Saints true light, fulfillment of desires, eternal joy, an all over gladness, and perfect bliss. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

St Thomas Aquinas, 1225-74

Prayer of Thanksgiving After Mass

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy, You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good. May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You. And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you, with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to your saints. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen

St Thomas Aquinas, 1225-74

Bernardine dei Busti wrote the office for the mass of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, and it makes use of the beautiful 12th century hymn, Iesu Dulcis Memoria which speaks of His Name.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153 A.D.) had a deep devotion to the most Holy Name of Jesus and wrote the hymn "Iesu Dulcis Memoria" which is typically sung on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.