Holy Name of Jesus

Dear Friends in Christ,

Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday (January 5, 2025), the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, is also known as the Sunday after the Octave Day of the Nativity. The Gospel reading for today’s Mass is the same as that read on the Octave Day celebrated earlier in the week: At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.” The Octave Day of the Nativity, being the eighth day (including Christmas Day) after the birth of Christ, always falls on the first day of the year. The first of January was traditionally a double-feast identified on the Roman Calendar by the title, “Circumcision of Our Lord, and Octave of the Nativity.” The celebration on this Sunday will be followed, one day later, by a first-class liturgical commemoration: the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6th). The Feast of the Holy Name is of comparatively recent origin. Promoted first by St. Bernardine of Vienna in the fifteenth century, it was only added to the Roman Calendar and authorized for universal celebration in 1721.


Calendar of Special Observances

Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962.

DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)

Sunday, January 5 – Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (II)

Monday, January 6 – Epiphany of Our Lord (I)

Tuesday, January 7 – Feria of Epiphany (IV)

Wednesday, January 8 – Feria of Epiphany (IV)

Thursday, January 9 – Feria of Epiphany (IV)

Friday, January 10 – Feria of Epiphany (IV)

Saturday, January 11 – Commemoration of St. Hyginus, Pope and Martyr

Note: The commemoration of St. Telesphorus, Pope and Martyr, celebrated in most years on January 5th, is displaced by the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus this year.


The Holy Name of Jesus

The links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the Proper Prayers for the Feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus and that of the Epiphany of Our Lord with English or Spanish translation. In addition, we offer links to Dr. Michael P. Foley’s essays on “The Postcommunion of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus” and “The Highly Beautiful Collect of the Epiphany” from his “Lost in Translation” series published by New Liturgical Movement.

Latin Mass Schedule: Holy Name of Jesus (January 5, 2025)

Charlotte Area Latin Masses

  • 11:30 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas (followed by First Sunday Food and Fellowship)

  • 12:30 p.m., Saint Ann (see note in Epiphany Mass Latin Schedule below)

Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses

  • 8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)

  • 9:00 a.m., Our Lady of the Angels (Marion)

  • 1:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)

  • 1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)

Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses

  • 12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC)

  • 1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)

Note: Travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for up-to-date information regarding possible changes in the regular schedule of Sunday Mass times.


Epiphany Latin Mass Schedule

The following schedule lists special Latin Masses and related events announced for the Feast of the Epiphany.

Sunday January 5

  • 12:30 p.m., Saint Ann – Annual Epiphany blessing of water, chalk and salt will occur immediately after regularly scheduled Sunday Mass. **Containers of water needing to be blessed at Saint Ann should be 1 gallon or larger. Smaller bottles can be filled at the Holy Water font after the blessing is complete.**

Monday January 6 (Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord)

  • 7:00 a.m., Saint Ann

  • 6:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) - (still on schedule despite the ice/snow, be extra careful on Green Hill/Galax roads leading to the chapel)

  • 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)

  • 6:30 p.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) – Epiphany blessing will occur prior to Mass at 6:00 p.m.

  • 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC) – Including blessing of salt, oils, and water

  • 7:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) – Regularly scheduled 12:00 p.m. Latin Mass canceled

Note: It is customary to bless water, chalk, and salt on or around the Vigil of the Epiphany.

Saint Thomas Aquinas will have Epiphany water available at the Holy Water font by Monday January 6, as well as a limited number of Epiphany blessing kits in the narthex after the weekend Masses.


Latin Mass Schedule: Weekdays (January 6-11)

Charlotte Area Latin Masses

  • Saint Ann – Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.

  • Saint Thomas Aquinas – Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

  • Saint Ann – Friday, 7:00 a.m.

Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses

  • Our Lady of the Mountains (Highlands) – Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

  • St. John the Baptist (Tryon) – Friday, 8:30 a.m.

  • Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) – Friday, 9:30 a.m.

Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses

  • Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) – Tuesday-Friday, 12:00 p.m. & Saturday 8:00 a.m.

Note: Travelers are advised to contact parish offices to confirm weekday and Saturday Mass times, since local schedules are sometimes subject to change without notice, especially on or around holidays, holy days of obligation and other special feast days.


Announcements

First Sunday Food and Fellowship – First Sunday Food and Fellowship will resume this Sunday (January 5th) at St. Thomas Aquinas after the 11:30 a.m. Latin Mass (1:30-3:30 p.m.). All are invited! And if you know anyone who might be interested in sharing the food and fellowship, please invite them to come! 


Saint Thomas Aquinas Welcomes Nobertine Father Sebastian, Walsh in Late January - Please mark your calendars for January 24, 25 and 26 as Saint Thomas Aquinas parish welcomes Father Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem, who will give a series of spiritual talks centered around family life and the Eucharist. Father will also preach at all Sunday Masses including the 11:30 a.m. Latin Mass. For times and talk topics please see the flyer at the end of this update.

Who are the Norbertines? The Norbertines are a community of monks founded by Saint Norbert in France over 900 years ago. Fr. Walshe is from Saint Michael’s Norbertine Abbey in Orange County, California (outside Los Angeles). Saint Michael Abbey’s priests have many different apostolic pursuits from teaching, craftsmanship, scholarship, art and sacred music. (Some of the Norbertines also offer Latin Masses in Southern California.) To learn more about the Norbertines at St. Michael’s Abbey we share these two videos: [What is an Abbey?] [California’s Newest Abbey, Defying the Odds]

The Birthday of Saint Philomena is this Friday January 10 (feast day is August 11). - Although no longer on the traditional calendar, her birthday (and feast day) is still celebrated across the Church each year. Her shrine is in Mugnano, Italy and shares more details on the life of this Wonderworker. [Sanctuary of Saint Philomena]

Prayers for Fr. Brandon Jones – Please also keep Fr. Jones in your prayers as he takes on his new assignment this week as parochial administrator of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa. Fr. Jones has served at Saint Ann Parish, celebrating the Latin Mass, since his arrival in 2020. He will be greatly missed by all, and especially the Latin Mass community, at Saint Ann.

“Sister Parish” Relief Program – The Diocese of Charlotte is sponsoring a program to assist in the recovery of parishes in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene. The program will partner parishes that escaped the wrath of the storm with those that sustained substantial impacts. Fr. Reid has announced that St. Ann has committed to serve as a sister parish to Saint Lucien in Spruce Pine, providing financial assistance to help cover recovery costs and to make up for the loss of collection revenue resulting from the displacement of parishioners. Initial funds for the effort were derived from second collections at the Masses celebrated on November 16-17 and December 14-15. There will be another collection this weekend (January 4-5). Future collections are scheduled for February 1-2, March 1-2 and April 5-6.

Consecration of those Governing to the Blessed Virgin Mary – Fr. Chad Ripperger, a native of Casper, Wyoming, was a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter before leaving to establish a society of exorcists, the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (Doloran Fathers). His Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary was featured in past issues of this newsletter. He has now composed a new prayer, Consecration of those Governing to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which may be found at the end of this update or downloaded here.

Holy Face Devotions

Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:

  • St. James (Concord) – Monday, 10-10:30 a.m. (in the cry room)

  • St. Mark – Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

  • St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.

  • St. Ann – Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. (following 7:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)

  • St. Michael the Archangel (Gastonia) – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)

  • St. Vincent de Paul – Tuesday, 8:40 a.m.

  • Holy Spirit (Denver) – Tuesday, 10-11:00 a.m. (following the 9:15 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)

  • St. John the Baptist (Tryon) - First Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m Latin Mass)

“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth” (from Canticle to the Holy Face by Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, the 19th century Discalced Carmelite nun who took the name in religion, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face).


Latin Mass and Liturgical News

  • The 40 Days of Christmas by Dom Prosper Guéranger, The Liturgical Year. [A History of Christmas]

  • The Easter Controversy and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Fr. William Rock, FSSP, The Missive (January 1, 2025). [The Easter Controversy]

  • Epiphany and Its Customs by Michael P. Foley, New Liturgical Movement (January 3, 2025) [Epiphany and its Customs]

  • December 30: Mere Christmas Day by Michael P. Foley, New Liturgical Movement (December 30, 2024). [December 30: Mere Christmas Day]

  • Azulejos: Decorative Tile Work in the Portuguese Church of São Lourenço de Almancil by Shawn Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal (December 26, 2024). [Azulejos]

  • The Three Epiphanies of Our Lord (Feast of the Epiphany) by Dom Prosper Guéranger, The Liturgical Year. [Feast of the Epiphany]

  • Customs of New Year's Day and Twelfth Night by Michael P. Foley, New Liturgical Movement (January 1, 2024). [Customs of New Years Day and Twelfth Night]

  • Christmas in Rome: the Chapel of the Sacra Culla (Sacred Crib of Bethlehem) by John Paul Sonnen, Liturgical Arts Journal (December 25, 2023). [Christmas in Rome]


Saints and Special Observances

The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord marks the end of the immediate Christmas season. Epiphany is derived from a Greek word meaning “manifestation”: thus, the feast celebrates the manifestation of the Infant Jesus to the world in the persons of the “wise men from the East” described in Mattthew’s Gospel. While there is nothing in Scripture to specify their number or names, the traditional belief is that there were three of them and their names were Casper, Melchior and Balthazar.

In a larger sense, the Epiphany is meant to celebrate the revelation of Christ as the Son of God: the Theophany. This broader concept of the celebration was widely held in the early days of Christianity and is still prevalent in the East. There is evidence that the celebration of the Epiphany on January 6th originated in the early Church and included, in addition to the Visitation of the Magi, the Nativity of Our Lord, the Baptism of Christ and the Wedding at Cana. The Council of Tours took formal action in 567 to separate the celebration of Christmas and Epiphany, fixing the Nativity on December 25th, 12 days prior to the Epiphany.

There are various customs connected to the celebration of the Epiphany around the world. It is on Epiphany, not Christmas, that La Befana brings gifts to the children of Italy. Similarly, the children of Portugal and Spain, as well as many other countries where Spanish is spoken, receive gifts on “Three Kings Day.” Catholics in Poland take chalk to be blessed on the Epiphany, a custom that has been adopted in our own country.

The culinary phenomenon of the King Cake may be found in many nations. In New Orleans the baking of King Cakes traditionally began on Twelfth Night when the Christmas season gave way after Epiphany to the revelry of Carnival. King Cakes remain prevalent in the city until Mardi Gras, the last day before Lent. Bakers place a small doll, representing the Infant Jesus, in the dough before baking the oval cake. In the past, King Cakes were primarily made of sweet brioche bread topped with sugar colored purple, green and gold, the colors of Carnival. In more recent times, various fillings and toppings have gained popularity. According to custom, King Cakes are shared; and the person “finding the baby” in his slice was expected to furnish the next King Cake to be shared with others unfortunate enough not to “get the baby.”


Closing Commentary

In closing, we share a commentary extracted from The Liturgical Year of Dom Prosper Guéranger on “The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.” A link to the full text of the great liturgist’s commentary follows the extract.


The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

The second Sunday after the Epiphany, which recalls the Marriage feast of Cana, was at first chosen as the day on which to honour the most holy Name of Jesus. It is on the Wedding Day that the Bridegroom gives his Name to the Bride, and it is the sign that, from that day forward, she belongs to him alone. The Church, therefore, wishing to honour a name so precious to her with a special feast, could find no day more appropriate for it than that of the Marriage at Cana. But now she has chosen for the celebration of this august Name, a day closer to the Anniversary on which it was given, ‘after eight days were accomplished, his name was called Jesus’; she leaves, however, the commemoration of the Sacred Nuptials to the Sunday of which it has ever been the glory.

In the Old Covenant, the Name of God inspired fear and awe: nor was the honour of pronouncing it granted to all the children of Israel. We can understand this. God had not yet come down from heaven to live on earth, and converse with men; he had not yet taken upon himself our poor nature, and become Man like ourselves; the sweet Name expressive of love and tenderness, could not be applied to him.

But, when the fulness of time had come - when the mystery of love was about to be revealed - then did heaven send down the Name of ‘Jesus’ to our earth, as a pledge of the speedy coming of him who was to bear it. The archangel Gabriel said to Mary: Thou shalt call his Name JESUS. ‘Jesus’ means Saviour. How sweet will this Name not be to poor lost man! It seems to link earth to heaven! No name is so amiable, none is so powerful. Every knee in heaven, on earth, and in hell, bows in adoration at hearing this Name! and yet, who can pronounce it, and not feel love spring up within his heart? But we need such a saint as Bernard, to tell us of the power and sweetness of this blessed Name. He thus speaks of it in one of his Sermons.

‘The Name of Jesus is Light, and Food, and Medicine. It is Light, when it is preached to us; it is Food, when we think upon it; it is the Medicine that soothes our pains when we invoke it. Let us say a word on each of these. Tell me, whence came there, into the whole world, so bright and sudden a light, if not from the preaching of the Name of Jesus? Was it not by the light of this Name that God called us unto his admirable Light? Wherewith being enlightened, and in this light, seeing the Light, we take these words of Paul as truly addressed to ourselves: Heretofore, you were darkness; but now, light in the Lord [Eph. v. 8].

‘Nor is the Name of Jesus Light only; it is also Food. Art thou not strengthened, as often as thou thinkest of this Name? What is there that so feeds the mind of him that meditates upon this Name? What is there that so restores the wearied faculties, strengthens virtue, gives vigour to good and holy habits, and fosters chastity? Every food of the soul is dry, that is not steeped in this unction; it is insipid, if it be not seasoned with this salt. If thou write, I relish not thy writing, unless I read there the Name of Jesus. If thou teach me, or converse with me, I relish not thy words, unless I hear thee say the Name of Jesus. JESUS is honey to the mouth, and music to the ear, and gladness to the heart.

‘It is also Medicine. Is any one among you sad? Let but Jesus come into his heart, and the mouth echo him, saying Jesus! and lo! the light of that Name disperses every cloud, and brings sunshine back again. Have any of you committed sin? and is despair driving you into the snare of death? Invoke the Name of life, and life will come back to the soul. Was there ever a man, that, hearing this saving Name, could keep up that common fault of hardness of heart, or drowsiness of sluggishness, or rancour of soul, or languor of sloth? If any one, perchance, felt that the fountain of his tears was dry, did it not gush forth more plentifully than ever, and flow more sweetly than ever, as soon as he invoked the Name of Jesus? If any of us were ever in danger, and our heart beat with fear, did not this Name of power bring us confidence and courage the moment we pronounced it? When we were tossed to and fro by perplexing doubts, did not the evidence of what was right burst on us as we called upon the Name of light? When we were discouraged, and well nigh crushed, by adversity, did not our heart take courage, when our tongue uttered the Name of help ? All this is most true; for all these miseries are the sicknesses and faintings of our soul, and the Name of Jesus is our Medicine.

‘But, let us see how all this comes to pass. Call upon me in the day of trouble, says the Lord; I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify me [Ps. xlix 15]. There is nothing which so restrains the impulse of anger, calms the swelling of pride, heals the wound of envy, represses the insatiability of luxury, smothers the flame of lust, quenches the thirst of avarice, and dispels the fever of uncleanliness - as the Name of Jesus. For when I pronounce this Name, I bring before my mind the Man, who, by excellence, is meek and humble of heart, benign, sober, chaste, merciful, and filled with everything that is good and holy, nay, who is the very God Almighty - whose example heals me, and whose assistance strengthens me. I say all this, when I say Jesus. Here have I my model, for he is Man; and my help, for he is God; the one provides me with precious drugs, the other gives them efficacy; and from the two I make a potion such as no physician knows how to make.

‘Here is the electuary, my soul, hid in the casket of this Name Jesus; believe me, it is wholesome, and good for every ailment thou canst possibly have. Ever have it with thee, in thy bosom and in thy hand; so that all thy affections and actions may be directed to JESUS.’ [Fifteenth Sermon on the canticle of Canticles.]

The feast of the Holy Name is of comparatively recent origin, its first promoter was St Bernardine of Siena, who lived in the fifteenth century. This holy man established the practice of representing the Holy Name of Jesus surrounded with rays, and formed into a monogram of its three first letters, IHS [The Name was, anciently, often written Ihesus; hence, in its contracted form alluded to, the letter H would be given: the E following was virtually included in the aspirate. Translator.]

The custom spread rapidly through Italy, and was zealously propagated by the great St John of Capestrano, who, like St Bernardine of Siena, was of the Order of Friars Minor. The Holy See gave its formal approbation to this manner of honouring the Name of our Saviour, and, in the early part of the sixteenth century, Pope Clement VI, after long entreaties, granted to the whole Franciscan Order the privilege of keeping a special Feast in honour of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

Rome extended the same favour to various Churches; and, at length, the Feast was inserted in the universal Calendar. It was in the year 1721, at the request of Charles VI, Emperor of Germany, that Pope Innocent XII decreed that the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus should be kept throughout the whole Church; he also chose the Second Sunday after the Epiphany as the day, but as we have already explained, the feast is now fixed for the Sunday following the Circumcision. [Holy Name of Jesus]

~

To Our Readers and All Friends of the Latin Mass: May you be abundantly blessed by God in this joyous season of Christmas.


CONSECRATION OF THOSE GOVERNING TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of heaven and of earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope.

Immaculate Mary, Patroness of the United States of America, Queen of Heaven and of Earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope.

Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of thy Son, we humbly ask that thou wouldst turn thine eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion.

We consecrate to thee (the peaceful transition of power) and all of those governing our republic, so that what is spiritually and morally best for the citizens of our nation may be accomplished, and that they would govern according to the spiritual and moral principles which will bring our nation into conformity with the teachings of thy Son. Bind any forces, spiritual or human, that would seek to inflict harm or evil on our country or those who do good for our nation by their governance.

Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they may merit leaders who will govern according to the Sacred Heart of thy Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve. Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and thy maternal care, we have perfect confidence that thou wilt take care of us and wilt not leave us forsaken.

O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.

Composed by Fr. Chad Ripperger

To download a PDF copy of this prayer please visit this link.