The year, and every day in the year, is dedicated to Him who was named "Jesus" - a name of such awe that "every knee on earth, in Heaven and in Hell bows in adoration" at its very pronouncement, and yet of such sweetness that ages on ages have sung, Jesu, dulcis memoria - the very remembrance of that name is sweetness itself - dans vera cordis gaudia - giving to the heart a joy that is true joy.

In a sermon on the Holy Name St. Bernard exclaims "Whence came there into the whole world so bright and sudden a light except from the preaching of the Name of Jesus? ... Nor is it Light only; it is also Food ... For what is there that so feeds the mind 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 if not steeped in this unction; insipid, if not seasoned with this salt. If you write, I relish not your writing unless I read there the Name of Jesus. If you teach or converse with me, I relish not your words unless I hear you say the Name of Jesus. Jesus is honey to the mouth, music to the ear, gladness to the heart. More, it is Medicine. Is any among you sad? Let Jesus come into his heart and his mouth echo His Name, saying "Jesus", and lo! the light of the Name disperses every cloud and brings sunshine back again.

Let us see how all this comes to pass. When I pronounce the Name of Jesus, I bring before my mind the Man, who, by excellence, is meek and humble of heart, 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 I have my model: for He is a Man; here I have my help: for He is God".

The Holy Name should beat in your blood and live in the very marrow of your bones and being; for you were baptised in that Name; you were nourished in that Name, chrism was put on you to mark you as a soldier and knight in that Name; and when you tarnished that, you were cleansed in that Name. Every prayer the Church has offered for you, every sacrament she has given to you, every act she has performed for you, has been in that Name. And when the hour is come when you are to depart from this world, she will bid you "Go forth" in His Name. For "there is no other Name in which you can be saved". (Acts 4.)

Jesus Himself was very conscious of His Name and its value. That is why He has John the Beloved report among His final words: "If you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will give it to you". (Jn 16.)