Most Holy Name of Mary

Feast: September 12th, September 11th (Ambrosian), September 7th (Byzantine)

“All the rich among the people shall entreat Thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbors shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. (Ps. 44: 2) My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. All the rich among the people shall entreat Thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbors shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing.” – Introit for the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.


“Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that Thy faithful people, who rejoice in the name of and protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, may by her loving intercession be delivered from all evils on earth and be found worthy to come to everlasting joy in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.” – Collect of the Most Holy Name of Mary.

Today September 12th is the feast of the holy name of Mary. This feast was established by Pope Innocent XI as a thanksgiving to God of his mercy and protection, given to us by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially the then recent victory over the Muslims who wanted to spread their errors throughout Europe.

The Battle of Vienna happened in 1683, the King of the Poles, Jan III Sobieski had come to the aid of the Catholic forces to stop the invaders. He prayed to Our Lord and asked for the intercession of Our Lady, especially invoking the patroness of Poland, Our Lady of Czestochowa along with his army. 

 After serving Mass, he set off to the defense of Vienna, the invading enemy was crushed despite outnumbering Catholics by a large number.   

In the same year Pope Innocent XI established the feast of the holy name of Mary, originally it was celebrated on the 15th of September but was later moved to the date of the battle September 12th by Pope St Pius X. 

The feast of the Holy name of Jesus is celebrated January 2th.

Invoking the names of Jesus and Mary is a powerful prayer in their own right, as the devil and his minions cannot stand to hear the names of God or his mother, we must especially remember these Holy names, when in danger and especially in temptations. But we may also invoke their names throughout our day or even when trying to sleep at night.     

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Resources and other links

Image taken from Homily: September 12 – The Most Holy Name of Mary