The Feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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. This feast day was established by Pope Innocent XI upon the victory of Christian forces against the Moslems beseiging Vienna in 1683.

The honored name of the Virgin Mary, which is said to mean "Star of the Sea," is most fitting for the Virgin Mother. She may well be compared to a star; for, as a star beams forth its rays without any diminution of its own luster, so too the Virgin gave birth to a Son with no loss to her virginity.

We venerate the name of Mary because it belongs to her who is the Mother of God, the holiest of creatures, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, the Mother of Mercy.

The feast, after falling out of use after 1969, was restored to the Roman Calendar by Pope John Paul II when the third typical edition of the Missal was published in 2000.

Litany of the Holy Name of Mary  

A litany is a prayer composed of alternating statements and supplications. The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary was established by Pope Innocent XI upon the victory of Christian forces against the Moslems beseiging Vienna in 1683. This litany, reflecting the nature of the feast, is for private devotion.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.

Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter, have mercy on us.
Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother...
Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the Spouse...
Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid...

Mary, Mother of the Living God, pray for us
Mary, Daughter of the Light Eternal...
Mary, our light...
Mary, our sister...
Mary, Flower of Jesse...
Mary, Issue of Kings...
Mary, Chief Work of God...
Mary, the Beloved of God...
Mary, Immaculate Virgin...
Mary, all fair...
Mary, Light in Darkness...
Mary, our sure rest...
Mary, House of God...
Mary, Sanctuary of the Lord...
Mary, Altar of the Divinity...
Mary, Virgin Mother...
Mary, embracing your Infant God...
Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom...
Mary, Ocean of Bitterness...
Mary, Star of the Sea...
Mary, suffering with your only Son...
Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow...
Mary, torn with a cruel wound...
Mary, sorrowful even unto death...
Mary, bereft of all consolation...
Mary, submissive to the law of God...
Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus...
Mary, Our Lady...
Mary, Our Queen...
Mary, Queen of Glory...
Mary, Glory of the Church Triumphant...
Mary, Blessed Queen...
Mary, Advocate of the Church Militant...
Mary, Queen of Mercy...
Mary, Consoler of the Church Suffering...
Mary, exalted above the angels,
Mary, crowned with twelve stars...
Mary, fair as the moon...
Mary, bright as the sun...
Mary, distinguished above all...
Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus...
Mary, Our Hope...
Mary, Our Sweetness...
Mary, Glory of Jerusalem...
Mary, Joy of Israel...
Mary, Honor of Our People...
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception...
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption...
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto...
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes...
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima...
Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa...
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal...
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel...
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels...
Mary, Our Lady of Dolors...
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy...
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary...
Mary, Our Lady of Victory...
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe...
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence...

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.

Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.

I will declare your name unto my brethren.
I will praise you in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Us Pray (Oremus)

O Almighty God, Who beholds Thy servants earnestly desiring to place themselves under the shadow of the name and protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, grant, we beseech You, that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.