The Most Holy Name of Jesus
Feast day: January 3
On January 3, we observe the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Philippians, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (2:10). The name of Jesus has been a source of devotion for centuries. In 1274, the Council of Lyons recommended that all the faithful should foster a devotion to the name of Jesus. Many saints also have promoted the devotion, most notably, St. Bernadine of Siena. In 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church.
Collect
O God, who founded the salvation of the human race
on the Incarnation of your Word,
give your peoples the mercy they implore,
so that all may know there is no other name to be invoked
but the Name of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
