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January is the month of the Holy Name of Jesus!

The Feast Day of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is on January 3. It is the principal Feast Day of the Holy Name of Jesus Chinese Catholic Mission. Traditionally, the whole month of January is designated by the Catholic Church for devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

The abbreviation of IHΣΟΥΣ, the Greek for ‘Jesus’, in the form ΙΗΣ appears in manuscripts from the second century, but it was in the Middle Ages that devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus became widespread. St. Anselm (1033-1109AD) wrote a very popular “Prayer to the Name of Jesus”. St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153AD) preached a famous sermon in which he described the Holy Name as a balm which has three qualities: healing, nourishing and illuminating. It was in the 15th century that St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) created a new impetus for the devotion. At the end of his sermons, he would display a tablet bearing the letters of the Holy Name in gold. Pope Martin V (1369-1431AD) endorsed the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. In the 16th century, the Society of Jesus made the IHS monogram their emblem.

Here below are 5 ways to honor the Holy Name of Jesus:

TAKE A STAND AGAINST TAKING THE LORD’S NAME IN VAIN.

Refuse to watch movies or shows that contain profanity of any kind, especially to the Holy Name of Jesus. If you have a habit of taking the name of the Lord in vain, make a conscious effort to stop right away.

BOW YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU HEAR THE NAME OF JESUS.

Adopt the pious practice of bowing your head whenever you say or hear the name of Jesus. Scripture tells us: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.” (Phil 2:10) The Council of Lyons in 1274 stated: “Each should fulfill in himself that which is written for all, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”

DISPLAY THE IHS MONOGRAM IN YOUR HOME, OFFICE OR CAR.

IHS is the monogram representing the Holy Name of Jesus. You can either buy this emblem at a Catholic religious store or make it yourself. Then display it in your home, office or car!

GO TO DAILY MASS OR VISIT THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

Offer your participation at Mass or your visit to the Blessed Sacrament for the spread of the devotion of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Most Holy Name of Jesus.