Sep 12 – Most Holy Name of Mary
This feast is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (January 3); both have the possibility of uniting people easily divided on other matters. The feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and, in 1671, was extended to all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples. In 1683, John Sobieski, king of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna to stop the advance of Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed IV in Constantinople. After Sobieski entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church.
- Patron Saint Index
1 Cor 10:14-22
Lk 6:43-49
“There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit…”
I remember noticing some plants in a previous workplace that had been forgotten in a corner. Their leaves had wilted. Perhaps they were deprived of water and proper sunlight.
It reminded me of how easily our spiritual lives can become the same. We may appear fine on the outside, yet our hearts may gradually drift from the One who gives us life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.”
He also reminds us that we are called to live His words, building our lives upon the solid rock that can withstand storms. St Paul echoes this invitation in the first reading, by urging us to give our hearts wholly to God and not allow ourselves to be divided by competing loyalties.
Today, as we celebrate the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we remember our Blessed Mother whose ‘yes’ at the Annunciation also meant saying ‘yes’ as a daily choice to trust God, to listen to Him, and to remain faithful to Him.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola once prayed to Mary with a simple but profound desire: to be placed with her Son. After years of growing in friendship with Christ, he sought to carry his cross.
Our Blessed Mother had lived that ‘yes’ before. She remained with her Son in moments of joy and sorrow, never turning away from Him, even as He was crucified. As we honour her holy name today, may we, too, ask her to be placed ever closer to Jesus.
Through her intercession, may we learn to say ‘yes’ to God in words and action each day, so that our lives, too, may bear fruit that lasts.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Brenda Khoo)
Prayer: Dearest blessed Mother, as we honour your holy name today, lead us always to your Son, Jesus. Help us to listen to His Word with open hearts and to put it into practice with courage and love. May our lives be firmly rooted in Christ, so that we may bear good fruit and remain faithful to Him in all that we do. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Loving God, we thank You for the gift of Mary, whose humble ‘yes’ continues to inspire our Church. Thank You for her loving intercession and for always leading us closer to Jesus. May our hearts, like hers, remain steadfast in faith, hopeful in trials, and joyful in serving You each day. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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