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Catholic Caucus: Mary, The Power of Her Name [The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary]
Holy Wounds Apostolate ^ | unknown | Holy Wounds Apostolate

Posted on 09/12/2005 9:23:36 AM PDT by Salvation

 
 Mary Power of Her Name
 
 

The Holy Name of

 
 
Mary
 
Mary
The Power of
Her Name

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."

   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, 0 Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings," as St. Methodius says. So much so, that St. Bonaventure declares, "that thy name, 0 Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly.". . grant, 0 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, 0 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." "0 most sweet name! 0 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. 0, 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, 0 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;" 0 sweet, 0 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, 0 Mary" exclaims St. Bonaventure. "Yes, truly blessed is he who loves thy sweet name, 0 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, "0 Mary, 0 Mary, the most beautiful of creatures! let us depart together."

    Let us conclude with the tender prayer of St. Bonaventure:

   "I ask thee, 0 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."


Copies of “MARY THE POWER OF HER NAME” available

in leaflet form from:

Holy Wounds Apostolate, Inc.



TOPICS: Activism; Apologetics; Catholic; Charismatic Christian; Current Events; Eastern Religions; Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; History; Islam; Judaism; Mainline Protestant; Ministry/Outreach; Moral Issues; Orthodox Christian; Other Christian; Other non-Christian; Prayer; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Religion & Science; Skeptics/Seekers; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: bibledoesntmatter; blessed; catholiccaucus; catholiclist; mostholyname; nobiblenoproblem; virginmary
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To: biblewonk
So you can teach whatever you want as long as it has a stamp on it from Rome?

Never met a Catholic here who's said anything remotely like this. Oh, you're just making outlandish rhetorical points. Is this how you expect to win souls to Christ, spouting this sort of inane rubbish?
161 posted on 09/13/2005 6:07:48 PM PDT by Conservative til I die
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To: NormB
I have seen some very nice gift wrapping. Some with Gold foil even. As far as I am concerned everybody in this thread is gift wrapping, so there.

So God's creations are simply foil paper to be balled up and thrown into the trash with the used cat litter and snot covered Kleenex?

Scratch a Protestant and uncover an anti-Christian.
162 posted on 09/13/2005 6:10:09 PM PDT by Conservative til I die
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To: TomSmedley
My relationship with my mother is ethically different from my relationship with Mary. I owe my mother honor, support, care, respect. In comparison, I owe that other mother zip. Zero. Nothing.

Wow, that's a generally lowlife thing to say. Tell me, do you hate all mothers that aren't your own? Or just Mary? Because you just said you owe Mary no respect, honor, support or care. Let's hope you treat other "run of the mill" woman with a little more respect.

I've always found it funny that the more you push a Proddie, the less neutral and the more outright disrespectful, and sometimes venomous and hateful they became of people respected by Catholics. Apparently only because they are respected by Catholics. What a Christian way to live.

Just pathetic and shameful.
163 posted on 09/13/2005 6:13:05 PM PDT by Conservative til I die
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Comment #164 Removed by Moderator

To: Conservative til I die
Do you have a problem with someone praying the Lord's Prayer multiple times?

Yes I do! Its called babbling. In Matthew 6:9 Jesus does not say, "Pray this prayer". He says "This is how you should pray."

165 posted on 09/13/2005 6:25:28 PM PDT by Diego1618
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To: Conservative til I die
Man, scratch a Protestant and uncover an anti-Christian.

I am not a Protestant....never been one!

166 posted on 09/13/2005 6:27:25 PM PDT by Diego1618
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To: Conservative til I die
The Church of God is the Catholic Church.

Then why don't you call yourselves that?....all of the Apostles did!

167 posted on 09/13/2005 6:29:29 PM PDT by Diego1618
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To: Conservative til I die
God was never called "Triune" in Scripture either.

You're right...he wasn't....and is not!

168 posted on 09/13/2005 6:31:26 PM PDT by Diego1618
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To: Diego1618
Was Our Lord "babbling?"

And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.... Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done.... And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. (Matthew 26: 39, 42, 44)

169 posted on 09/13/2005 6:34:47 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: Diego1618

Ah, you have revealed yourself to be a Unitarian or a Jehovah's Witness.


170 posted on 09/13/2005 6:35:35 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: Diego1618
Unfortunately for your "sola scriptura" approach, it is "tradition" that determined what constitutes the Holy Scriptures. And nowhere in the Bible does "sola scriptura" appear . . . in fact, St. Paul makes plain (well before the Bible was actually compiled) that the faithful should rely on what the apostles have SPOKEN as well as what is written.

Do you subscribe to the Nicene Creed? The Apostles' Creed? The Athanasian Creed?

171 posted on 09/13/2005 6:38:45 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: Claud; Tax-chick

MY favorite is St. Paul's admonition to Timothy to "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."


172 posted on 09/13/2005 6:42:00 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: AnAmericanMother; Conservative til I die; Diego1618
Do you subscribe to the Nicene Creed? The Apostles' Creed? The Athanasian Creed?

Apparently not.

Conservative til I die:God was never called "Triune" in Scripture either.
Diego1618 You're right...he wasn't....and is not!

173 posted on 09/13/2005 6:44:46 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: Pyro7480
Was Our Lord "babbling?"

No... he was seeking an answer knowing that his time was short. If you notice, he did not say the same thing the second time. He said something similar. In verse 44 you will see that scripture says that he did say the same thing. Twice does not constitute babbling or "vain repetitions". Saying the rosary 6 times daily and repeating the Lord's Prayer 6 times each rosary does constitute babbling.

174 posted on 09/13/2005 6:45:54 PM PDT by Diego1618
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To: Salvation

Our Lady of Lourdes prayer petition answered bump!


175 posted on 09/13/2005 6:47:35 PM PDT by cyborg (I finally got a job today. Thank you God. Thank you Our Lady of Lourdes' prayer petition.)
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To: Diego1618
If you said the Rosary six times a day, you wouldn't have time to do anything else! Figure about 20 minutes for 5 decades - an entire Rosary with all four sets of Mysteries therefore takes 90 minutes to recite, longer if you add all the additional prayers. So if you pray it six times a day, that's nine hours' worth, assuming no meal, water or potty breaks.

Time to head for the convent!

(BTW, if you pray it in the Bavarian manner that I learned when I lived in Germany, the Rosary is not subject to the (wholly invalid) criticism of "vain repetition" because each prayer changes slightly as you progress. But that makes the Rosary take STILL longer to complete . . . )

. . . I dare ya to go to a Two Hearts Vigil . . . < g >

176 posted on 09/13/2005 6:50:16 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: AnAmericanMother
The Athanasian Creed

Whoever wishes to be saved must, above all, keep the Catholic faith. For unless a person keeps this faith whole and entire, he will undoubtedly be lost forever. This is what the catholic faith teaches: we worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Spirit.

But the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit have one divinity, equal glory, and coeternal majesty. What the Father is, the Son is, and the Holy Spirit is.

The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated. The Father is boundless, the Son is boundless, and the Holy Spirit is boundless. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal.

Nevertheless, there are not three eternal beings, but one eternal being. So there are not three uncreated beings, nor three boundless beings, but one uncreated being and one boundless being. Likewise, the Father is omnipotent, the Son is omnipotent, the Holy Spirit is omnipotent.

Yet there are not three omnipotent beings, but one omnipotent being. Thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.

However, there are not three gods, but one God. The Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord. However, there are not three lords, but one Lord. For as we are obliged by Christian truth to acknowledge every Person singly to be God and Lord, so too are we forbidden by the Catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or Lords.

The Father was not made, nor created, nor generated by anyone. The Son is not made, nor created, but begotten by the Father alone. The Holy Spirit is not made, nor created, nor generated, but proceeds from the Father and the Son. There is, then, one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits. In this Trinity, there is nothing before or after, nothing greater or less. The entire three Persons are coeternal and coequal with one another. So that in all things, as is has been said above, the Unity is to be worshiped in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity.

He, therefore, who wishes to be saved, must believe thus about the Trinity. It is also necessary for eternal salvation that he believes steadfastly in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and man. As God, He was begotten of the substance of the Father before time; as man, He was born in time of the substance of His Mother. He is perfect God; and He is perfect man, with a rational soul and human flesh. He is equal to the Father in His divinity, but inferior to the Father in His humanity. Although He is God and man, He is not two, but one Christ. And He is one, not because His divinity was changed into flesh, but because His humanity was assumed unto God. He is one, not by a mingling of substances, but by unity of person. As a rational soul and flesh are one man: so God and man are one Christ. He died for our salvation, descended into Hell, and rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. At His coming, all men are to arise with their own bodies; and they are to give an account of their own deeds. Those who have done good deeds will go into eternal life; those who have done evil will go into the everlasting fire.

This is the Catholic faith. Everyone must believe it, firmly and steadfastly; otherwise He cannot be saved. Amen.

177 posted on 09/13/2005 6:54:11 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: Pyro7480

Rats! You gave it away! < g >


178 posted on 09/13/2005 7:02:20 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: Diego1618

It's a contemplative prayer. Get over it.


179 posted on 09/13/2005 7:17:17 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: AnAmericanMother

**in fact, St. Paul makes plain (well before the Bible was actually compiled) that the faithful should rely on what the apostles have SPOKEN as well as what is written.**

Now your letting them know that St. Paul is on our side. (laughing)


180 posted on 09/13/2005 7:19:15 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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