(uCatholic) In a world of fiercely guarded corporate names and logos, it should be easy to understand this feast–the letters ‘IHS’ are an abbreviation of Jesous, the Greek name for Jesus.
The feast of the Holy Name (traditionally celebrated as the Feast of Circumcision) is a major Feast of the Church, it reflects the significance of the Holy Name Jesus–the name Jesus, is from the Hebrew Joshua or ‘Yeshua is Salvation’ or “Yahweh will save.”
St. Paul might claim credit for promoting devotion to the Holy Name because Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9 “Therefore God has exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.”
This devotion became popular because of the 12th century Cistercian Monks and Nuns but especially through the preaching of St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) a Franciscan.
Bernardine used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter and often bloody class struggles and family rivalries or vendettas–the devotion grew partly because of Franciscan and Dominican ministers, it spread even more wildly after the Jesuits began promoting it in the 16th century.
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.
This Feast invites us to a continual remembrance of the veneration of the Holy Name in order that God may plant in us and in every heart, the love of Him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ.
More here from Franciscan Media
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB
Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus –Catholic Culture
Becoming Beacons of Light Like the Wise Men -Deacon Omar Gutierrez, Natl Catholic Register
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