THE HOLY NAME OF MARY

"Is thy name Mary, maiden fair?

"Such should, methinks, its music be.
"The sweetest name that mortals bear,
"Were best befitting thee.
"And she to whom it once given
"Was half of earth and half of heaven."
Amen. (Oliver Wendel Holmes)
Our salvation began when the Archangel Gabriel spoke the name of Mary: "Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found grace with God." [Luke
1: 30] And because of Mary’s Fiat: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to
thy word" [Luke 1: 38], Our Savior, Jesus, the Son of God became Man and we have been praising
Our Lady with the "Ave Maria!" from generation after generation in thanksgiving.

There was once a woman who had great devotion to Our Lady. And like Our Lady, she had one
child, but the child was "brain damaged", and though he was happy in his own way, he never learned
to talk.
He could say just two words, which his mother had taught him with much patience: "Ave Maria". He
seemed to love saying those words over and over. If someone asked him his name, he would only
answer "Ave Maria." Everyone grew to love this "Ave Maria Boy," as they called him, and they were
all sorry when one day he died.
On the day of his burial, a marvelous miracle happened. As soon as the grave was covered over, a
green shoot appeared, and by evening, it was a tall and beautiful lily growing out of the grave. The
mourners were startled and insisted that the gravedigger uncover its roots to find where it grew; as he
removed the covering, the face of the child came into view and the mystery was solved — the
miraculous lily was springing from the child’s lips. The mother and everyone rejoiced at such a
wonderful sign from heaven; her little boy had been dumb in life, except for his "Ave Maria," but
now from his grave he was preaching a most eloquent sermon on Our Blessed Mother and her
goodness to those who have confidence in her Name! [Thanks to Fr. L. Hull, C.SS.R. for this
story.]

"Thy name and thy remembrance are the desire of my soul: my soul hath desired thee in the
night." (Isaias 26: 8)
When we honor the Holy Name of Mary on September 12 we are simply following the unwavering
devotion of the Church from the dawn of Christianity. This devotion is appealing and powerful.
There are about seventy different meanings for the name of Mary. The most appealing one is that
Mary means "beloved of God." It is from two words, one Egyption, "myr," which means beloved, the
other Hebrew, "iam," which means God. Mariam was Moses and Aarons sister, (these are Egyptian
names too) who was the first woman in the Bible to be known as Mary.

This explanation seems most correct when we consider that the Blessed Virgin was truly beloved of
God. Of all men and women she was the only one who was always pleasing to God, because she
alone was always free from sin (the Immaculate Conception), and thus always beloved of the
Almighty. From all eternity God loved her. Out of love He created her; out of love He preserved her
from sin; out of love He adorned her with every grace and beauty. In every sense her name is holy.
What does the name "Mary" mean?

September 12th, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary

And the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:27)
Today the Church honors the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
recalling also her patronage of Christians as (through the intercession of
the same Mother of God) the Turks’ siege against Vienna was lifted on this
day by the glorious victory of John III Sobieski in the year 1683.
There is a great and consoling mystery hidden for us in the name “Mary”.

If “Mary” is Egyptian: “Loved by the Lord”

It is possible that the name “Mary” is of Egyptian origin, for the first known
instance of the name among the Chosen People is with the sister of Moses,
Miriam. Now, as “Moses” and “Aaron” are almost certainly Egyptian
names, there is some possibility that “Mary”/“Miriam” could be of Egyptian
origin as well.
The most likely Egyptian derivation would come from the
word Mery/Meryt which means “cherished” or “beloved”. It could also be
that the Egyptian mer or mar (“to love”) has been combined with the
Hebrew Ya (YHWH) to mean, “one loving the Lord” or “one loved by the
Lord”. Certainly, all this stands good theologically, but we must admit that
the experts tell us that there are considerable etymological difficulties with
recourse to Egyptian roots. Hence, it will be better to look instead to the
many possible Hebrew explanations of the name.
If “Mary” is two Hebrew words: “Bitter Sea” or “Drop of the Sea”
It is possible that the name of “Mary” is a composition of a Hebrew noun
with either a suffix or an adjective, or even of two nouns. The Hebrew of
“Mary” is miryam which could be meriwith am, meaning “their rebellion”
– and this may well be the sense of “Miriam” as applied to Moses’ sister,
who rebelled against him in the desert. However, this meaning obviously
cannot be applied to our Blessed Mother.
On the other hand, miryam could be mar (“bitter”) and yam (“sea”),
meaning “bitter sea”. In this respect, especially in the month of September,
we consider that the Mother of God is indeed our Lady of Sorrows. [St.
Jerome, among others, held to this etymology]
It is also possible that miryam comes from mor and yam, meaning “myrrh
of the sea”; ormari and yam, meaning “mistress of the sea”.
Also interesting to note is the etymology whereby miryam is the
combination of mar andyam, meaning “drop of the sea”.  In Latin “drop of
the sea” is translated as Stilla Maris. However, it seems that stilla was
mistaken for stella – which means “star”. Hence, the extremely
popular Ave Maris Stella (“Hail Star of the Sea”), whereby the faithful
piously invoke our Blessed Lady as the sure guide through the stormy
waters of this life to the glory and peace of life everlasting.
While we admit that there is little etymological support for
rendering miryam (“Mary”) as “Star of the Sea”, we do point out that the
name could well mean “Lady of the Sea” who guides her children through
the sea of this world – in this respect, the essence of the popular piety is
well founded.
If “Mary” is one Hebrew word: “Beautiful Lady”
If, on the other hand, the name miryam is taken to have come from a single
Hebrew word, then it is quite possible that it means either “fat one”
(from mara) or “lady” (from mari). Let us consider the meaning of these
two etymologies.
It may at first seem very strange to think that the name “Mary” would have
anything to do with being “fat” or “plump”. However, we must remember
that, in ancient Israel, to be “plump” was largely synonymous with being
beautiful – indeed, it would have been quite a compliment to be
call mara (“fat”) in first century Israel. Hence, we might well translate
“Mary” as “beautiful one”, since this is the essential meaning of the
word mara as applied to a woman. How beautiful indeed is our Blessed
Mother!
Likewise, it is no surprise to the believer that miryam could well come from
the word mari(“mistress”) or marah (“ruling one”) and so mean “Lady”.
When we speak of “Mary”, we are truly speaking of “Our Lady”!
Spiritual reflections on the Holy Name of Mary: “Star of the Sea”
From St. Bernard: “Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary … in danger,
in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be
far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not
stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to
her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you,
you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to
you, you will surely reach your destination.” [Hom. II super “Missus est,”
17; Migne, P.L., CLXXXIII, 70]
St. Louis Marie de Montfort: “God the Father gathered all the waters
together and called them the seas (maria). He gathered all his graces
together and called them Mary (Maria). The great God has a treasury or
storehouse full of riches in which he has enclosed all that is beautiful,
resplendent, rare, and precious, even his own Son. This immense treasury
is none other than Mary whom the saints call the ‘treasury of the Lord’.
From her fullness all men are made rich.” (True Devotion to Mary, 23)
[For further consideration of the Holy Name of Mary, consider the article
from the Catholic Encyclopedia.]
They’re more than a bunch of letters grouped together to sound pleasant to the ear. Names
are more than a convenience allowing us to talk to each other. Names are a gift from God.
They contain His power. They define things. They define us.

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better

than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
God said, “Let there be light.” And there was. He named it into existence.

God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.” And
there was. He called it sky. And He called the dry ground land.

From that land, God made man. He made Adam (Earth). Then God gave the power to
name to Adam.

Adam named the animals. And he named Eve (Mother of All). And that power has been
given to us.

Consider the freedom that comes in naming a fear you have, or the cause of shame you
hide, or the root of anger strangling you. When I own my fears, say them out loud, identify
them, then I loosen the controlling grip they have over me. That’s power. That’s the power of
a name.

Robert- Famed, bright; shining. 

Patrick- is an English baby name

Dave- Beloved or friend,

Cyrus- Persian name Kurush, meaning throne

Julius- In Greek the meaning of the name Juliusis: Downy. Hairy. 

Rey-  In Spanish the meaning of the name Reyis: King.

Joshua- In Hebrew themeaning of the name Joshua is: Jehovah is generous. Jehovah
saves. 

Oliver- fruitfulness and beauty and dignity.

Alfredo- The name is comprised of the Olde English elements “ælf”meaning 'elf' (one

with supernatural powers), and “ræd” which means 'to counsel'

Hazel- fashionable 

Benjamin- Son of my right hand/ son of happiness

Alvin-  Wise friend

Kim- Hero

Aeron- ancient girl’s name, ancient Celtic goddess of battle and slaughter.

"who is like God?

Mark- to be war like

Cris- He who holds Christ in his heart. Diminutive of Christian: Follower of Christ.

No wonder Mother Church honors her name. No wonder the Saints and Fathers of the Church
have sung her praises. A few examples:
Saint Bonaventure:
"Blessed is the man who loves thy name, O Mary. Yes, truly blessed is he who loves thy sweet name,
O Mother of God, for thy name is so glorious and admirable, that no one who remembers it has any
fears at the hour of death."
Saint Anthony of Padua:
"O name of Mary! Joy in the heart, honey in the mouth, melody in the ear of her devout
clients."
Fr. Thomas A Kempis, Author of "Imitation of Christ":
"Greet Mary frequently with the ‘Ave Maria!’ Salute Mary, think Mary, honor Mary, lean on Mary,
commend yourself to Mary and repeat the Name of Mary. Be with Mary everywhere, be silent with
Mary, pray with Mary, rejoice with Mary, be sad with Mary, work with Mary, walk and sit with
Mary, and be recollected with Mary."
Saint Louis de Montfort:
"The salvation of each individual is bound up with the Hail Mary."
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori:
"Mary herself promised Saint Gertrude as many graces at death as she should have said ‘Hail Marys.’
Blessed Alan asserts, ‘that as all heaven rejoices when the "Hail Mary" is said, so also do the devils
tremble and take to flight.’ "
So, dear friends, let us whisper quietly and lovingly: "Mary . . . Mary . . . Mary." And as we call out
to her, "Hail Mary," remember the meaning of that title, "Beloved of God." Then we can understand
why the Church has selected this verse from Scripture for the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary:

The Holy Name of 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.
 September 12th is the Feast Day of The Most Holy Name of Mary

In fine, "thy name, O Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings," as St.
Methodius says. So much so, that St. Bonaventure declares, "that thy name, O Mary,
cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly.". . grant,
O 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, O My Mother, are so sweet and agreeable to Me, that I cannot deny what thou
askest."
 O amor mei nomen matris Dei -St. Anselm
(Translation) "Oh name of the mother of God, thou art my love."

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." "O most sweet name!
O 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. O, 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, O 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;" O sweet, O 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.

The Most Holy Name of Mary said Devoutly is a Prayer

"Blessed is the man who loves thy name, O Mary," exclaims St. Bonaventure. "Yes, truly
blessed is he who loves thy sweet name, O 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, "O Mary, O Mary, the most beautiful of creatures! let us depart together."

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

"I ask thee, O 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." (End)

In danger, in difficulty, or in doubt, think on Mary, call on

Mary. Let her not be away from thy mouth or from thine
heart, and that thou mayest not lack the succour of her
prayers, turn not aside from the example of her
conversation. If thou follow her, thou wilt never go astray. If
thou pray to her, thou wilt never have need to despair. If
thou keep her in mind, thou wilt never fall. If she lead thee,
thou wilt never be weary. If she help thee, thou wilt reach
home safe at the last - and so thou wilt prove in thyself how
meetly it is said: And the Virgin's name was Mary. --Excerpts
from the Breviary for the Feast of the Most Holy Name of
Mary (Sept. 12)

The Story of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This feast is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus;

both have the possibility of uniting people easily divided on other
matters.
The feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and
in 1671 was extended to all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples. In
1683, John Sobieski, king of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts
of Vienna to stop the advance of Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed
IV of Constantinople. After Sobieski entrusted himself to the Blessed
Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the Muslims.
Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church.

Reflection

Mary always points us to God, reminding us of God’s infinite

goodness. She helps us to open our hearts to God’s ways, wherever
those may lead us. Honored under the title “Queen of Peace,” Mary
encourages us to cooperate with Jesus in building a peace based on
justice, a peace that respects the fundamental human rights of all
peoples.
Lord Jesus, You chose your first disciples, not for what they were, but for what they would be
capable of becoming under your direction and power.  Lord when You call me to serve, I must
not shrug back because I think that I have little or nothing to offer. “Lord, fill me with gratitude
and generosity for all you have done for me.  Take my life and all that I have as an offering of
love for You,  my God and Savior, my All in All.” In your Name, I pray. Amen.