History and Meaning of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary

Invoked by every believer in the sweetest and most terrible moments of life, the Most Holy Name of Mary carries within its very sound a symbol of sweetness and hope

Each year, on 12th September, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, an occasion of devotion and reflection that honours the mother of Jesus, celebrates her role as the merciful intercessor for every human being before God, and invites the faithful to meditate on the profound meaning of her sacred name. The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary is a time when believers come together to celebrate the figure of Our Lady, to contemplate the importance of her name, which played a crucial role in the history of salvation, and to recall her infinite love for Jesus, her Son.

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The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary is not solely about the Madonna, but also has deep implications in the relationship between believers and the very concept of divinity. It represents the connection between the human and the divine, faith and hope. It invites the faithful to seek inspiration in Mary’s life, who, despite knowing the tragic fate her Son was destined for, wholly accepted the divine will. This deep, humble and painful acceptance makes her a unique model for all Christians.

Even today, the name Mary is one of the most widespread in the world, both in its variations and in its pure form. This testifies to the strong connection people have with the figure of Mary and her spiritual significance. On 12th September, we celebrate the name day of Mary and of all women who bear her name.

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Meaning of the Name Mary

The holy name of Mary has significant symbolic value within Christianity. It derives from the Hebrew Myriam or Miriam. Mary has been called in various ways throughout religious history, but her essence of grace, humility and dedication to the divine will remains constant. The name Mary is not merely a title, but a symbol of sweetness and purity. It is a name that evokes feelings of affection and consolation, representing a beacon of light in the darkness of human life.

One of the earliest interpretations of the name Mary comes from Anne, her mother, who, in thanking God for giving her a daughter, gave her this name which, over time, took on the meaning of “gift received from God”.

The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary is not limited to celebrating the name itself but recalls various titles of Mary.

Sea

The origin of the name from the Hebrew Maryam has a connection with the sea. Mary is seen as a “sea” of goodness and sweetness, an ocean into which grace and divine love flow like rivers.

Bitterness

Another evocative interpretation of the name Mary links it to mrr, meaning “to be bitter”, which recalls the image of Mary as the Mother of Sorrows. No one has been as Holy as she was; no one has suffered as she has suffered.

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Star

Another possible origin of the name Mary connects it to or, meaning “light”, and yam, meaning “sea”. This interpretation suggests the meaning of “illuminator” or “star of the sea”. The image of the star, a symbol of hope and serenity after a storm, may recall Mary’s role in dispelling sin and bringing God into the heart of humanity.
The invocation Ave Maris Stella recalls the image of Mary as a shining star guiding the faithful through the darkness of life toward Christ and God, much like the North Star which shows the way. This image reflects the believers’ trust that Mary can lead them towards spiritual light and salvation, just as the North Star has always been a guide and hope for those venturing out to sea and, more broadly, through the perilous waters of existence. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux described turning to and entrusting oneself to Mary, Stella Maris, in life’s darkest moments—when overwhelmed by temptation and adversity—as an act of faith and trust.

12th September – The Most Holy Name of Mary

The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary has ancient roots, dating back at least to the 13th century, but was officially introduced into the universal liturgical calendar only in 1684 by Pope Innocent XI. This feast, which over the centuries acquired profound significance not only for religious but also political history in Europe, was instituted in response to the urgent need to pay homage to Our Lady and to her name, considered a symbol of divine grace, hope, and protection. Originally born within the Spanish diocese of Cuenca, where it was celebrated on 15th September, the celebration spread to other Spanish dioceses by the will of various popes, until it became a universal feast of the Catholic Church during the pontificate of Pope Innocent XI Odescalchi.
In 1685 he issued a decree recognising the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary as a universal feast of the entire Catholic Church, moving the date to the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of Mary, to commemorate the alliance signed on 12th September 1683 in Vienna, by Emperor Leopold I of Austria and King John III Sobieski of Poland, united against the Turks who were besieging Vienna. It was through the Most Holy Name of Mary that Vienna was liberated from this terrible threat.
It is impossible not to recall here the origin of the cult of Our Lady of the Rosary, commemorated by the Church on 7th October, the day on which, in 1571, the Battle of Lepanto took place, in which the fleet of the Holy League defeated that of the Ottoman Empire.

In the years that followed, there were further changes in the date of the celebration, which was even removed from the Roman calendar by the will of Pope Paul VI. It was Pope John Paul II, in the third edition of the post-conciliar Roman Missal in 2002, who reinstated the feast as an optional memorial on 12th September.

Novena to the Most Holy Name of Mary

From 3rd to 11th September, in preparation for the eponymous feast, there is the tradition of praying the Novena to the Most Holy Name of Mary. Through it, we appeal to Mary, Mother and intercessor between humanity and God, to entrust ourselves with full confidence and humility to her, just as she entrusted herself to the divine will.

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Most Holy Mother of mine, Mary! Name of heaven, name chosen by God for His mother, name to which God entrusted every human creature from the height of His cross, name that makes the angelic hosts rejoice, that terrifies the prince of evil and drives him away, most exalted name worthy of veneration and human gratitude! Mary, you are “the beloved of God”.
Blessed be you, Most Holy Mary, for the love with which you formed Jesus in your Immaculate Heart; blessed be you for all the love you have for the children that God has given you; blessed be you for the beauty and purity of your soul that gives God the joy we took from Him with sin! Praised be your name of exalted holiness, name vessel of virtue, name fragrant with humility, name of health, mirror of paternal tenderness. May you be loved and thanked by every human being, and may your Name of love and peace return to reign on every tongue through the Holy Rosary!
Most Holy Mary, you are my mother and I welcome you today and forever, giving myself entirely to you, without reserve; in your name I wish to be blessed, protected, advised, loved, encouraged, enlightened; in you I wish to find my rest. Mary, most beautiful and perfect name, for it is the name Jesus wished to call you!

3 Hail Marys

Most Holy Name of Mary, praise, honour and thanks to you through whom mankind rediscovers the gate of heaven!
Mary, beautiful name.
Mary, name that brings love.
Mary, name of the Good News.
Mary, name that is a breeze from Paradise.
Mary, name treasure of every virtue.
Mary, blessed casket of humility and purity.
Mary, name that gladdens the hearts of children.
Mary, name that is a gateway to hope.
Mary, name that comforts the suffering.
Mary, name fragrant with tenderness.
Mary, name that brings light to minds.
Mary, name that guides to a safe harbour.
Mary, name that is a rock of justice.
Mary, name whose sound is harmony and perfection.
Mary, name that holds within it the name of God.
Mary, name that is refuge for shepherds.
Mary, name spoken by the truly wise.
Mary, name that destroys falsehood.
Mary, name that restores order.
Mary, name that resounds with peace.
Mary, name that teaches wisdom.
Mary, name that encloses all sweetness.
Mary, yours is the most holy name of the mother—Mother of God, Mother of humanity, Mother of the Church.

3 Hail Marys

Most Holy Name of Mary, praise, honour and thanks to you through whom mankind rediscovers the gate of heaven!
Mary, beloved daughter of the Father.
Mary, immaculate and sinless creature.
Mary, chosen by the love of the Most Holy Trinity to renew all humanity.
Mary, home and refuge of divine love.
Mary, humble of heart.
Mary, the new Eve.
Mary, from whose virginal womb God wished to make His dwelling.
Mary, announced by the angel who brought you the greeting of Christ.
Mary, from whose fiat began the salvation of the human race.
Mary, whose virtues are the fragrances of Paradise.
Mary, in whose name people pray.
Mary, first and perfect disciple of Jesus.
Mary, mother of the eternal Son of God.
Mary, mirror of divine goodness and sweetness.
Mary, safe gate to heaven.
Mary, whose name makes demons tremble.
Mary, who pondered all things in your heart.
Mary, pierced in heart by all the sin of the world.
Mary, weeping beneath the cross.
Mary, whose name on the lips soothes sorrow.
Mary, whose name is Jesus’ infinite joy.
Mary, advocate, mediator, and all-powerful supplicant.
Mary, whose prayer obtains everything from God.
Mary, splendour of divine grace.
Mary, spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Mary, whom all of heaven praises and no praise can fully describe.
Mary, who at the foot of the cross absolved mankind, adopting it for eternity.
Mary, shining star whom no light equals.
Mary, perfect and most holy, for you live in God.
Mary, who made prayer the ladder to heaven.
Mary, who refused all sin for love of your God and your Spouse.
Mary, who humbled the dragon, crushing its head forever.
Mary, who prefers the small and humble.
Mary, who unceasingly asks for the daily Rosary.
Mary, whose tears bring bitter sorrow to those who love you.
Mary, whose tenderness raised Christ.
Mary, who kissed the most holy wounds of your Son.
Mary, who never lost hope.
Mary, co-redemptrix of the world.
Mary, mother of every man and Queen of Peace.
Mary, most pure name worthy of praise.
Mary, pray for us and for the whole world.

3 Hail Marys