Meditation & Novena to Most holy name of Jesus

Among the Jews a male child received his name at the rite of circumcision. On the day that the Divine Infant was circumcised, He received the Name of Jesus, which signifies Savior, and which had given Him by the Angel before he was conceived.

The angel Gabriel said to May, "Do not fear, Mary. You have found favor with God. You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the Name Jesus. Great will be His dignity and He will be called Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:30-31).

The Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said to him, "Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this Child. She is to have a Son and You are to name Him Jesus because he will save His people from their sins" (Mathew 1:20-21).

Jesus taught the disciples to present their petitions to the Eternal Father in His Name. "I give you My assurance, whatever you ask the Father, He will give you in My name. Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask you shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:23-24). Jesus assured them that by reason of the merits of His redemption, the power of such prayer would be irresistible.

But the greatness of that power would depend largely on their loyalty to and love for Him. Since those who love Jesus remain in Him, prayer offered in His Name is, as it were, His own.

Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today. It is a source of joy and inspiration in our youth; of strength in our manhood, when only His Holy Name and His grace can enable us to overcome temptation; of hope, consolation, and confidence at the hour of our death, when more than ever before, we realize that the meaning of Jesus is "Lord, the Savior." We should bow in reverence to His Name and submission to His Holy Will.

In His last discourse with His Apostles He said, "I go to the Father, and whatever you ask in My Name I will do, so as to glorify the Father in the Son. Anything you ask Me in My Name I will do" (John 14:12-13). Our Lord's words are a consolation and encouragement to persevere in prayer. It is good to know on His own testimony that our heavenly Father never grows weary of listening to our petitions. Jesus also assures us that he will grant our prayers if we ask in His Name.

But we must never forget that God may refuse our request, not because He does not love us, He may refuse our request either because what we ask may be harmful to us, or because He has good reason for delaying to grant our petition, or because He desires that we should ask it more urgently. We should submissively adore the wisdom of our God if He altogether withholds the favor we implore.

Novena

Jesus most merciful, in early infancy You began Your office of Savior by shedding Your Precious Blood and assuming for us that Name which is above all names. I thank You for such early proofs of Your infinite love.

I venerate Your sacred Name in union with the deep respect of the Angel who first announced it to the earth. I also unite my affections to the sentiments of tender devotion, which Your adorable Name has, in all ages, enkindled in the hearts of Your servants.

Jesus, You said, "Whatever you ask the Father, He will give you in My Name" (John 16:23). I earnestly ask the Father in Your Name for an increase of faith, hope, and charity, and the grace to lead a good life and to die a happy death.

Jesus, You said, "Anything you ask Me in My Name I will do" (John 14:13). I earnestly ask You in Your Name to save my soul. I also ask in Your Name for the following favor:

[Mention your special intention]

Jesus, Your most holy Name means "Savior." Be my Savior, dearest Jesus. mercifully grant me through Your adorable Name – which is the joy of heaven, the terror of hell, the consolation of the afflicted, and the solid ground of my unlimited confidence - all the petitions I make in this prayer.

Blessed Mother of our Redeemer, you shared so closely in the suffering of your dear Son from the moment that He shed His Precious Blood and assumed for us the Name of Jesus, till His last breath on the cross. Obtain for me and all those I love, as well as for all the faithful, the grace of eternal salvation through the holy Name of Jesus.

Beg, also a most ardent love of Your Divine Son may imprint that sacred Name upon our hearts; that it may be always in our minds, and frequently on our lips; that it may be our defense in temptation, our refuge in danger during our lives, and our consolation and support in the hour of death. Amen.

Prayer of Contrition

Good Jesus, according to Your great mercy, have mercy on me. Most merciful Jesus, by that Precious Blood which You willingly shed for sinners, I beg You to wash away all my sinfulness and to look graciously upon me, a poor and unworthy sinner, as I call upon Your holy Name. Therefore, Jesus, save me for the sake of Your Holy Name.

Let us Pray

God, You appointed Your only-begotten Son to be the Savior of mankind, and You commanded His Name to be called Jesus. Mercifully grant that we may enjoy the vision of Him in heaven, whole holy Name we venerate on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.