Year of the Holy Name - 2014

2014 is the Year of the Holy Name of Jesus in Ireland for the Franciscans and the Poor Clare Federation and the wider Franciscan family. The aim of the Year is simple -- to foster a renewed reverence and devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, and in so doing to deepen personal love for the Lord Jesus and faithfulness to His Gospel among all people.

The Year commemorates the centenary of the renewal in Ireland of devotion to the Holy Name initiated by Fr Francis Donnelly, OFM, of the Galway Abbey community, the Galway Poor Clares and by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Loughglynn, Co. Roscommon.

Devotion to the name of Jesus has been a strong element in Franciscan prayer and ministry stretching back to the time of St Francis, but was particularly fostered by St Bernardine of Siena in 15th century.

It is hoped that through personal prayer and reflection, preaching, catechesis, and prayer events during this year there will be a new appreciation of the hope that the Holy Name of Jesus represents for our times.

The website of the Year of the Holy Name is HERE with reflections, prayers and other resources.

The Franciscan and Poor Clare Facebook page will be kept updated on events throughout the year.

UPDATE:

Jubilee Year of the Holy Name

 

 

 

 

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From Catholic Culture:

Today the universal Church [(as opposed to Limerick Diocese :) which celebrates the feast of our diocesan patron)] celebrates the optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite this feast is celebrated on January 2. In the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, the feast was removed, though a votive Mass to the Holy Name of Jesus had been retained for devotional use. With the release of the revised Roman Missal in March 2002, the feast was restored as an optional memorial in the Ordinary Form on January 3.

The Church reveals to us the wonders of the Incarnate Word by singing the glories of His name. The name of Jesus means Savior; it had been shown in a dream to Joseph together with its meaning and to Our Lady at the annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel.

Devotion to the Holy Name is deeply rooted in the Sacred Scriptures, especially in the Acts of the Apostles. It was promoted in a special manner by St. Bernard, St. Bernardine of Siena, St. John Capistrano and by the Franciscan Order. It was extended to the whole Church in 1727 during the pontificate of Innocent XIII. The month of January has traditionally been dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.

 
You can read more about the Feast of the Holy Name HERE, HERE and HERE and Devotion to the Holy Name HERE.