Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. (Phil. 2:10).

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus which is kept on the First Sunday in the year; but if this Sunday falls on January 1, 6, or 7 the feast is kept on January 2. The reason for not having the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus on these days is due to other feasts already being on those days and since the day for the Holy Name of Jesus moves each year, rather than conflict with non-moving feasts the movable feast moves to January 2 (Circumcision, Jan 1, Epiphany, Jan 6, and Orthodoxy celebrates Christmas on Jan 7). 

“There is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved” (*Epistle). The origin of this feast goes back to the 16th century, when it was already observed by the Franciscan Order. In 1721, during the pontificate of Innocent XIII, its observance was extended to the whole Church. If we wish to see our names written in heaven under the glorious name of Jesus (*Postcommunion), that name must be often on our lips here below. [*Extraordinary Rite].

Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, R: have mercy on us.

God the Son, redeemer of the world,

God the Holy Ghost,

Holy Trinity, one God,

Jesus, Son of the living God,

Jesus, brightness of eternal light,

Jesus, king of glory,

Jesus, son of justice,

Jesus, Son of the virgin Mary,

Jesus, most amiable,

Jesus, most admirable,

Jesus, the mighty God,

Jesus, father of the world to come,

Jesus, angel of great counsel,

Jesus, most powerful,

Jesus, most patient,

Jesus, most obedient,

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

Jesus, lover of chastity,

Jesus, lover of us,

Jesus, God of peace,

Jesus, author of life,

Jesus, example of virtues,

Jesus, zealous lover of souls,

Jesus, our God,

Jesus, our refuge,

Jesus, father of the poor,

Jesus, treasure of the faithful,

Jesus, good Shepherd,

Jesus, true light,

Jesus, eternal wisdom,

Jesus, infinite goodness,

Jesus, our way and our life,

Jesus, joy of angels,

Jesus, king of Patriarchs,

Jesus, master of the Apostles,

Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists,

Jesus, strength of martyrs,

Jesus, light of Confessors,

Jesus, purity of virgins,

Jesus, crown of all saints, R: have mercy on us.

Be merciful, R: spare us, O Jesus.

Be merciful, R: graciously hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil, R: deliver us, O Jesus.

From all sin,

From Thy wrath,

From the snares of the devil,

From the spirit of fornication,

From everlasting death,

From the neglect of Thine inspirations,

By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation,

By Thy nativity,

By Thine infancy,

By Thy most divine life,

By Thy labors,

By Thine agony and passion,

By Thy cross and dereliction,

By Thy sufferings,

By Thy death and burial,

By Thy resurrection,

By Thine ascension,

By Thine institution of the most Holy Eucharist,

By Thy joys,

By Thy glory, R: deliver us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, R: spare us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, R: hear us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, R: have mercy on us, O Jesus.

Jesus, R: hear us.

Jesus, R: graciously hear us.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said: ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the gift of Thy divine charity, that we may ever love Thee with our whole heart and with all our words and deeds, and may never cease from praising Thee.

Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name, for Thou never failest to help and govern those whom Thou dost bring up in Thy steadfast fear and love; who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.