Today, September 12, we honor the Holy Name of Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and by His infinite mercy, our Mother as well. From His Cross, Our Lord gave us the One He holds dearest, His Immaculate Mother. For all of her children, reparation is a sacred duty to offset the swelling tide of blasphemy against our most beloved Mother and the indifference continually shown by our prelates, especially the pope.
The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary appears to have originated formally in Spain from which it gradually spread. The date of observance was changed several times over the centuries and Saint Pius X ( † 1914) established the present date to commemorate the great victory over the Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. An excellent account of this battle and others in relation to the most Holy Name of Mary can be found at Catholic Tradition.
When we think on it, there is a glimpse, perhaps, of the coming victory of Mary, Mother of Our Savior, she who crushes Satan’s head. For we have her victory at Lepanto, commemorated in her feastday, Our Lady of the Rosary, and today’s feast, the Holy Name of Mary commemorating her victory at Vienna, and might we not hope for the third victory when she returns to Fatima for the seventh time, in order to conquer for all time, the tide of evil? Think on it! And pray!
Five Blasphemies Against the Mother of God
In 1930, Sister Lúcia asked Our Lord Jesus Christ why five First Saturdays instead of any other number. Our Lord explained to her that there are five offenses against the Immaculate Heart of His Mother which require reparation. They are:
- Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception;
- Blasphemies against Her Perpetual Virginity;
- Blasphemies against Her Divine Maternity, in refusing at the same time to recognize Her as the Mother of men.
- Blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow in the hearts of children indifference or scorn, or even hatred of our Immaculate Mother;
- The offenses of those who outrage Her directly in Her holy images.
In today’s post, we offer some devotions to make reparation: a prayer of reparation for blasphemy against Mary and the Litany of the Holy Name of Mary. But the best reparation is always, as all you who follow Return to Fatima already know, is to pray her Holy Rosary and spend time with her, humbly seeking her mother’s wisdom for our daily needs, for she is our surest path to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux on the Holy Name of Mary
O man, whoever you are, if you realize that in the whirlwind of this world, far from walking on firm ground, you are driven hither and thither by storms and tempests, turn not your eyes from this bright Star, if you do not want to be swallowed up by the hurricane. If the winds of temptation are stirred up, if you encounter dangers and tribulations, look at the Star, and invoke Mary: “respice Stellam, voca Mariam”!
If you are shaken by waves of pride, ambition, criticism or jealousy, look at the Star and invoke Mary! If anger, avarice, or the seductions of the flesh stir up a storm in your soul, cast a glance towards Mary, “respice ad Mariam”. If troubled by the enormity of your crimes, confused by the weight of the sins on your conscience, you feel yourself slipping into the whirlpool of sadness and the abyss of despair, then think of Mary, “cogita Mariam”. In perils, in anguish, in perplexity, think of Mary, invoke Mary. Let Her name be constantly on your lips, let it never leave your heart…
Prayer of Reparation for Blasphemy Against the Blessed Virgin Mary
Most glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, turn thine eyes in pity upon us, miserable sinners; we are sorely afflicted by the many evils that surround us in this life, but especially do we feel our hearts break within us upon hearing the dreadful insults and blasphemies uttered against thee, O Virgin Immaculate.
O how these impious sayings offend the infinite Majesty of God and of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ! How they provoke His indignation and give us cause to fear the terrible effects of His vengeance! Would that the sacrifice of our lives might avail to put an end to such outrages and blasphemies! Were it so, how gladly we should make that sacrifice; for we desire, O most holy Mother, to love thee and to honor thee with all our hearts, since this is the will of God. And because we love thee, we will do all that is in our power to make thee honored and loved by all men.
In the meantime do thou, our merciful Mother, comforter of the afflicted, accept this our act of reparation which we offer thee for ourselves and for all our families, as well as for all who impiously blaspheme thee, not knowing what they say. Do thou obtain for them from Almighty God the grace of conversion, and thus render more manifest and more glorious thy kindness, thy power and thy great mercy. May they join with us in proclaiming thee blessed among women, the Immaculate Virgin and most compassionate Mother of God. Amen.
The Name of Mary at the Hour of Death
O Mary, my tender Mother, imprint thy Name, with that of Jesus, upon the inmost recesses of my heart. Obtain for me of God, in my last hour, to utter thy blessed Name and that of thy Son, with lively faith and ardent love, in order that by the virtue of these holy Names, the enemies of my salvation may be put to flight, and I may resign my soul into the hands of my Heavenly Father. Amen.
Litany of the Holy Name of Mary
(for private use only)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother, have mercy on us.
Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, of Whom Mary is the spouse, have mercy on us.
Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid, have mercy on us.
V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin,
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
Mary, Blessed Mother of God, pray for us.
Mary, Refulgent Hall of Light, pray for us.
Mary, Gate Sublime of Heaven’s High King, pray for us.
Mary, Temple of Our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Mary, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, pray for us.
Mary, sweet fount of love, pray for us.
Mary, most perfect work of God, pray for us.
Mary, well beloved by God the Father, pray for us.
Mary, Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, pray for us.
Mary, Most Blessed among all women, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of grace, pray for us.
Mary, Our light in the darkness, pray for us.
Mary, beautiful and sweet in thy delights, pray for us.
Mary, most fair and lovely, pray for us.
Mary, Glory of Jerusalem, pray for us.
Mary, our refuge at the hour of death, pray for us.
Mary, house of God, pray for us.
Mary, altar of the Divinity, pray for us.
Mary, Ever Virgin Mother of God, pray for us.
Mary, through whom we have been made partakers of the fruit of life, pray for us.
Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
Mary, Portal of Heaven, pray for us.
Mary, Handmaid of the Lord, pray for us.
Mary, Magnifying the Lord, pray for us.
Mary, Interceding for the Church Militant, pray for us.
Mary, Merciful Queen of the Church Suffering, pray for us.
Mary, Glorious Queen of Heaven, pray for us.
Mary, Queen of our hearts, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of fair love, pray for us.
Mary, Mediatrix of grace, pray for us.
Mary, exalted above the Angels, pray for us.
Mary, crowned with twelve stars, pray for us.
Mary, fair as the moon, pray for us.
Mary, bright as the sun, pray for us.
Mary, Gate of Morn, pray for us.
Mary, terrible as an army set in battle array, pray for us.
Mary, destroyer of all heresies, pray for us.
Mary, crushing the serpent’s head, pray for us.
Mary, taken up into Heaven, pray for us.
Mary, seated at the right hand of Our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Mary, Most gracious advocate, pray for us.
Mary, our hope, our sweetness and our love, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Częstochowa, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Good Success, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of Mary, hear us.
Jesus, Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
V. I will declare thy name unto my brethren.
R. I will praise thee in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Us Pray.
O Almighty God, Who beholdest Thy servants earnestly desirous of placing themselves under the shadow and protection of the name of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all evil on earth, and may adore Thee forever in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live your Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
Open your hearts to the Lord and serve Him only: and He will free you from the hands of your enemies. With all your heart return to Him, and take away from your midst any strange gods” (I Kings 7:3)
† . Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff.
† . Sweet Heart of Mary be our salvation!
† . Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come. Viva Cristo Rey!
† . Saint Joseph, protect our families, protect our priests!
† . Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Remember, pray the Rosary for the Consecration of Russia.
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of our hearts!
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin, give me strength against thine enemies!