Virgo Potens

2 of 2 Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 18th Chapter 4 The Plague In Lisbon: The City Saved by the Holy Name (continued) (continued from above) Priests, doctors and nurses were carried off in such numbers that the bodies of many lay unburied in the streets, so that the dogs licked up the blood and ate the flesh of the dead, becoming as a result themselves infected with the dread disease and spreading it still more widely among the unfortunate people. Among those who assisted the dying with unflagging zeal was a venerable bishop, Monsignor André Dias, who lived in the Convent or Monastery of St. Dominic. This holy man, seeing the the epidemic, far from diminishing, grew every day in intensity, and despairing of human help, urged the unhappy people to call on the Holy Name of Jesus. He was seen wherever the disease was fiercest, urging, imploring the sick and the dying, as well as those who had not as yet been stricken down, to repeat, ”Jesus, Jesus.” “Write it on cards,” he said, “and keep those cards on your persons, place them at night under your pillows; place them on your doors; but above all, constantly invoke with your lips and in your hearts this most powerful Name.” He went about as an angel of peace filling the sick and the dying with courage and confidence. The poor suffers felt within them a new life, and calling on Jesus, they wore the cards on their breasts or carried them in their pockets. Then summoning them to the great Church of St. Dominic, he once more spoke to them of the power of the Name of Jesus and blessed water in the same Holy Name, ordering all the people to sprinkle themselves with it and sprinkle it on the faces of the sick and the dying. Wonder of wonders! The sick got well, the dying rose from their agonies, the plague ceased and the city was delivered in a few days from the most awful scourge that had ever visited it. The news spread to the whole country and all began, with one accord, to call on the Name of Jesus. In an incredibly short time all Portugal was freed from the dread sickness. The grateful people, mindful of the marvels they had witnessed, continued their love and confidence in the Name of our Saviour, so that in all their troubles, in all dangers, when evils of any kind threatened them, they invoked the Name of Jesus. Confraternities were formed in the churches, processions of the Holy Name were made monthly, altars were raised in honor of this blessed name, so that the greatest curse that had ever fallen on the country was transformed into the greatest blessing. For long centuries this great confidence in the Name of Jesus continued in Portugal and thence spread to Spain, to France, and to the whole world. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

1 of 2 O Jesu! spotless Virgin flower! Our life and joy! to Thee Be praise, beatitude, and power, Through all eternity. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 18th Chapter 4 The Plague In Lisbon: The City Saved by the Holy Name A devastating plague broke out in Lisbon in 1432. All who could do so fled in terror from the city and thus carried the plague to every corner of the entire country of Portugal. Thousands of men, women and children of all classes were swept away by the cruel sickness. So virulent was the epidemic that men died everywhere, at table, in the streets, in their houses, in the shops, in the marketplaces, in the churches. To use the words of historians, it flashed like lightning from man to man, or from a coat, a hat or any garment that had been used by the plague-stricken. (continued below)

Stay with us, Lord, and with thy light Illume the soul’s abyss ; Scatter the darkness of our night, And fill the world with bliss. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 17th Chapter 3 The World In Danger Saved by the Holy Name (continued) Over and over again we read of kings, emperors, statesmen and famous military commanders who placed all their trust in prayer, thus working wonders. If the prayers of one man can do much, what will not the prayers of many do? The Name of Jesus is the shortest, the easiest and the most powerful of prayers. Everyone can say it, even in the midst of his daily work. God cannot refuse to hear it. Let us then invoke the Name of Jesus, asking Him to save us from the calamities that threaten us. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

O my sweet Jesu! hear the sighs Which unto Thee I send; To Thee mine inmost spirit cries, My being’s hope and end! Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 16th Chapter 3 The World In Danger Saved by the Holy Name (continued) It is amazing what one person who prays can do to save his country and save society. We read in Holy Scripture how Moses saved by his prayer the people of Israel from destruction, and how one pious woman, Judith of Betulia, saved her city and her people when the rulers were in despair and about to surrender themselves to their enemies. Again, we know that the two cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, which God destroyed by fire for their sins and crimes, would have been pardoned had there been only ten good men to pray for them! ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

Celestial sweetness unalloy’d ! Who eat Thee hunger still; Who drink of Thee still feel a void, Which nought but Thou can fill. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 15th Chapter 3 The World In Danger Saved by the Holy Name (continued) Every Christian must turn to God and ask Him to have mercy on us. The easiest of all prayers, as we have seen, is the Name of Jesus. Everyone without exception can invoke this holy name hundreds of times a day, not only for his own intentions, but also to ask God to deliver the world from impending ruin. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

2 of 2 Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 14th (continued) Their Franciscan brothers ably seconded them. St. Bernardine of Siena and St. Leonard of Port-Maurice were ardent apostles the Name of Jesus. Their efforts were crowned with success so that the enemies of the Church were overthrown, the dangers that threatened society disappeared and peace once more reigned supreme. This is a most important lesson for us because, in these our own days, dreadful sufferings are crushing many countries, and still greater evils threaten all the others. No government or governments seem strong and wise enough to stem this awful torrent of evils. There is but one remedy, and that is prayer. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

2 of 2 Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 14th (continued) Chapter 3 The World In Danger Saved by the Holy Name Their Franciscan brothers ably seconded them. St. Bernardine of Siena and St. Leonard of Port-Maurice were ardent apostles the Name of Jesus. Their efforts were crowned with success so that the enemies of the Church were overthrown, the dangers that threatened society disappeared and peace once more reigned supreme. This is a most important lesson for us because, in these our own days, dreadful sufferings are crushing many countries, and still greater evils threaten all the others. No government or governments seem strong and wise enough to stem this awful torrent of evils. There is but one remedy, and that is prayer. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

Magnus secundum nomen suum (Great according to His Name) O Jesu! Thou the beauty art Of angel worlds above; Thy Name is music to the heart, Enchanting it with love. 1 of 2 Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 14th Chapter 3 The World In Danger Saved by the Holy Name In the year 1274 great evils threatened the world. The Church was assailed by fierce enemies from within and without. So great was the danger that the Pope, Gregory X, who then reigned, called a council of Bishops in Lyons to determine on the best means of saving society from the ruin that menaced it. The Holy Father then begged the Bishops of the world and their priests to call on the Name of Jesus and urge their peoples to place all their confidence in this all-powerful Name, repeating it constantly with boundless trust. The Pope entrusted the Dominicans especially with the glorious task of preaching the wonders of the Holy Name in every country, a work they accomplished with unbounded zeal. (continued below)

Thee may our tongues for ever bless; Thee may we love alone; And ever in our lives express The image of Thine own. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 13th Chapter 2 What does the Name of Jesus Mean? (continued) WHAT MUST WE DO? (continued) Bear in mind that each time we say “Jesus,” devoutly, 1) we give God great glory, 2) we receive great graces for ourselves, 3) and we help the souls in Purgatory. We shall now quote a few examples to show the power of the Holy Name. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

May every heart confess thy name, And ever Thee adore; And seeking Thee, itself inflame To seek Thee more and more. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 12th Chapter 2 What does the Name of Jesus Mean? (continued) WHAT MUST WE DO? (continued) We must therefore do our best to form the habit of saying, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” very often every day. We can do so when dressing, when working—no matter what we are doing—when walking, in moments of sadness, at home and in the street, everywhere. Nothing is easier if only we do it methodically. We can say it countless times every day. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

May every heart confess thy name, And ever Thee adore; And seeking Thee, itself inflame To seek Thee more and more. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 12th Chapter 2 What does the Name of Jesus Mean? (continued) WHAT MUST WE DO? (continued) We must therefore do our best to form the habit of saying, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” very often every day. We can do so when dressing, when working—no matter what we are doing—when walking, in moments of sadness, at home and in the street, everywhere. Nothing is easier if only we do it methodically. We can say it countless times every day. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

O Jesu! Light to all below! Thou Fount of life and fire! Surpassing all the joys we know, All that we can desire. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 11th Chapter 2 What does the Name of Jesus Mean? (continued) WHAT MUST WE DO? St. Paul tells us that we must do all we do, whether in word or work, in the Name of Jesus. “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ . . . “ (Col. 3:17). In this way, every act becomes an act of love and of merit, and moreover, we receive grace and help to do all our actions perfectly and well. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

JESUS, NAME OF WONDROUS LOVE! Hymn Posted at Chantbird’s Garden of Song Please visit: https://t.me/chantbirds_garden_of_song

When once Thou visitest the heart, Then truth begins to shine; Then earthly vanities depart; Then kindles love divine. Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 10th Chapter 2 What does the Name of Jesus Mean? (continued) The Name of Jesus gives us such strength that our sufferings become light and easy to bear. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

SWEET NAME, WHICH MAKES THE DYING LIVE Hymn The Holy Name of Jesus Posted at Chantbird’s Garden of Song Please visit: https://t.me/chantbirds_garden_of_song

SWEET NAME, WHICH MAKES THE DYING LIVE Hymn The Holy Name of Jesus Posted at Chantbird’s Garden of Song Please visit: https://t.me/chantbirds_garden_of_song

O Jesu! King most wonderful! Thou Conqueror renown’d! Thou Sweetness most ineffable! In whom all joys are found! Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 9th Chapter 2 What does the Name of Jesus Mean? (continued) The Name of Jesus gradually fills our souls with a peace and a joy we never had before. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

O Jesu! King most wonderful! Thou Conqueror renown’d! Thou Sweetness most ineffable! In whom all joys are found! Month of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ January 9th Chapter 2 What does the Name of Jesus Mean? (continued) The Name of Jesus gradually fills our souls with a peace and a joy we never had before. ~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., The Wonders of the Holy Name (1946)

JESUS, MY GOD AND MY ALL Hymn Fr. Frederick William Faber (1815-1863) Posted at Chantbird’s Garden of Song Please visit: https://t.me/chantbirds_garden_of_song