September 12: The Holy Name of Mary / El Santo Nombre de María

As we have seen again this year in our parish school, when people come together for the first time or after a time of being apart, during the first weeks of school, thoughtful educators and facilitators weave in intentional time to build (or re-build) community. Introductions, “name games,” and nametags are often part of this – for good reason. Names are everything!

Good pastoral practice is all about helping people build supportive, collaborative, and inclusive communities. Honoring each other begins with knowing each other’s names and using them with respect, including through correct pronunciation.

Our names hold our personal identity, our family history, and culture. They can also give us a sense of belonging and they can strengthen our sense of self. As psychologists will affirm, honoring this sense of identity and choice promotes dignity, respect, and positive group culture.

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Saint Mary’s name, which we honor today, is derived from many possible sources, including “Star of the Sea” (Stella Maris), “Mistress of the Sea,” and “Beautiful One.” St. Bernard of Clairvaux prayed: “Look at her, the Star of the Sea, and call upon her ... in danger, in distress, in doubt. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart. If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if she holds you, you will not fall; and if she protects you, you need not fear. Amen."

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La Iglesia venera el nombre de María hoy, como lo hace con el nombre de Jesús el 3 de enero. María es un nombre de honor porque María fue la Madre de Dios. Por lo tanto, María es un nombre santo así como también un nombre materno. De hecho, después del sagrado nombre de Jesús, el nombre de María es tan rico de bienes, que ni en la tierra ni en el cielo resuena ningún nombre del que las almas devotas reciban tanta gracia de esperanza y de dulzura.