The Most Holy Name of Mary

The optional Memorial in today's liturgical calendar honors The Most Holy Name of Mary.  It is, however, considered a major Marial celebration for our Marist Family, for this name appears in all five branches:  The Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) The Little Brothers of Mary (Marist Brothers), the Marist Sisters (Sisters of Mary),  the Marist Missionary Sisters and the Third Order of Mary.  Devotion to Mary is a family strength and for good reason.  St. Alphonsus Ligouri quotes several spiritual writers who assert that the name of Mary, next to that of Jesus, is the most powerful name we can utter. "There is not such powerful help in any name, nor is there any other name given to men, after that of Jesus, from which so much salvation is poured forth upon men as from the name of Mary.  The devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next." --Richard of St. Lawrence.  St. Alphonsus reiterates that "after the name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is not other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness."
We are privileged to carry the name of Mary as Marists, consecrated, ordained, or lay, and the spirituality which derives from our love of Mary enables us to follow her in doing the impossible, for as she learned and teaches, "nothing is impossible with God: (Luke 1:37).
Along these lines I encourage you to take a few minutes to see what power our Marist Spirit has unleashed in Joe Ward, a graduate of Marist High School in Chicago. May Joe'simplicity, faith and determination be an inspiration for us all.
http://youtub.be/ukeSF-3V87s
Bro. Rene