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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: TomSmedley

It seems that you have never even thought of Mary as being the Ark of the New Covenant. Did not she carry the New Covenant (Jesus Christ) within her?


61 posted on 09/13/2005 7:58:24 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: TomSmedley

Nothing is hi-jacked here.

Did not Mary intercede for the bride and the groom who were out of wine at Cana? Why don't you take that literally?

She told the servants: "Do as he tells you." The power was with Christ. She only asked on behalf of the bride and groom.


62 posted on 09/13/2005 8:00:33 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation
Please educate yourself!

Don't be so insulting. You do worship Mary.

63 posted on 09/13/2005 8:04:34 AM PDT by NormB (Yes, but watch your cookies!!)
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To: sandyeggo

Excellent. But they don't WANT to take Luke literally like they do the rest of the Bible. It's so sad.


64 posted on 09/13/2005 8:05:20 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: NormB

Please define what you think "worship" is.


65 posted on 09/13/2005 8:07:09 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: Campion

How is Christ's power linked to Mary?


66 posted on 09/13/2005 8:07:14 AM PDT by biblewonk (Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?)
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To: Rhadaghast; Pyro7480

See #54

Thanks, Pyro!


67 posted on 09/13/2005 8:07:21 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: biblewonk

You have it backwards. Mary's power is only through and from Christ. "All good things come from above..."


68 posted on 09/13/2005 8:08:49 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: Salvation
These words seem unbelievable to me. She carried the Christ child. How could anything demonic be connected with that?

Satan NORMALLY masquerades as an angel of light. Or, in the case of Mormonism, as God. Or, in the case of the cult of the BVM, God's mother. (I'm speaking of the cults built around apparitions. Now THERE'S the haunt of demons and weirdness!)

69 posted on 09/13/2005 8:09:21 AM PDT by TomSmedley (Calvinist, optimist, home schooling dad, exuberant husband, technical writer)
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To: NormB

No it is veneration.

BTW, are you aware of Luther, Zwingli's and Calvin's opinion about the Blessed Virgin Mary?


70 posted on 09/13/2005 8:09:29 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

You don't understand, Salvation. Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin didn't go far enough. ;-)


71 posted on 09/13/2005 8:10:40 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: Pyro7480
Mary's power is only through and from Christ.

What power?

72 posted on 09/13/2005 8:11:01 AM PDT by biblewonk (Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?)
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To: Salvation
It seems that you have never even thought of Mary as being the Ark of the New Covenant. Did not she carry the New Covenant (Jesus Christ) within her?

But the message has been delivered. Christmas has come, and the godly rejoice in their presents, while some folks keep playing with the gift wrapping. Many of us still have Christmas presents from decades ago. The gift wrapping usually goes out with the next day's trash.

73 posted on 09/13/2005 8:11:19 AM PDT by TomSmedley (Calvinist, optimist, home schooling dad, exuberant husband, technical writer)
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To: NormB

http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ460.HTM


74 posted on 09/13/2005 8:11:56 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: TomSmedley

Please read about how the Catholic Church approves apparitions. For every one approved, there is probably more than 10 that aren't.


75 posted on 09/13/2005 8:13:24 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: TomSmedley
The gift wrapping usually goes out with the next day's trash.

I sincerely hope that you think Mary's dignity isn't the same as "trash."

76 posted on 09/13/2005 8:14:38 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Behold thy mother." -Our Lord Jesus Christ, John 19: 27)
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To: TomSmedley; Salvation
The gift wrapping usually goes out with the next day's trash.

Are you actually comparing the Mother of God to gift wrapping? May God have mercy on you.

77 posted on 09/13/2005 8:21:03 AM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
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To: Salvation

Cool. Thanks.


78 posted on 09/13/2005 8:28:14 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: Pyro7480
I sincerely hope that you think Mary's dignity isn't the same as "trash."

Like me, Mary is temporal, temporary, bearing God's image, but mortal. Destined for resurrection on the last day. The Romans had the custom of apotheosis, of declaring emporers divine. The Christians were fed to the lions for refusing to accord divine honors to fellow humans.

79 posted on 09/13/2005 8:30:35 AM PDT by TomSmedley (Calvinist, optimist, home schooling dad, exuberant husband, technical writer)
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To: Pyro7480

True! But many Protestants do not know of their ideas even now.


80 posted on 09/13/2005 8:30:44 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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