September 12: The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Like a Fragrance that Draws Us Closer to God
The memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated in Spain in the 16th century and was later extended to the entire Church by Pope Innocent XI in 1683. The Pope wanted to thank the Virgin for the victory over the Ottoman army during the siege of Vienna—thanks in part to the intervention of the King of Poland, Jan Sobieski. This victory was seen as a sign of Mary’s maternal protection over Christendom.
The devotion to the Most Holy Name of Mary gradually spread throughout the Church over the centuries. Popes enriched this devotion with indulgences, encouraging the faithful to strengthen their bond with the Mother of Jesus.
From the earliest centuries, the Church Fathers spoke of the power of Mary’s name. For example, in the 4th century, Saint Ambrose wrote:
“O Mary, your Name is like a fragrance that carries with it the sweetness of divine grace. May this fragrance descend upon me and penetrate to the depths of my soul!”
As early as the 12th century, veneration of Mary’s name was already present, as a sign of growing Marian devotion.
The Church recognizes the power of Mary’s intercession: through her faithful prayer, she watches over the Christian people—even in the most difficult moments of history.
A visible sign of this trust is found at Lourdes, where, since her apparitions to Bernadette, the name of Mary has been invoked day and night by millions of pilgrims from all over the world. All turn to her with hope and affection, certain of her motherly closeness.
The Name of Mary possesses a unique glory: it was inspired by God to her parents and first spoken with great reverence by the Archangel Gabriel. Since then, Christian generations have repeated it daily, in every corner of the world. It is a name that unites heaven and earth.
Great Saints have exalted this name. Saint Bonaventure said: “How glorious is thy name, O Holy Mother of God! How many wonders it contains!” Saint Bernard also declared: “The mere name of the Virgin Mary drives away all demons.”