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."
 
 The Abbot Francone, speaking on this subject, says, "there is no
other name after that of the Son, in heaven or on earth, whence pious
minds derive so much grace, hope, and sweetness." 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, 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."
 
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.
 
"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 (http://www.olrl.org/lives/camillus.shtml
) 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."
 
MARY