St. Bernardine’s Devotion to Holy Name of Jesus – May 20 – Homily – Fr Joseph M.

 

Fr Joseph M. gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 20, 2025, on how St. Bernardine of Siena emphasized devotion to the holy name of Jesus as a source of salvation and protection.

Father honors Saint Bernardine of Siena, a Franciscan preacher dubbed the Apostle of Italy for his tireless preaching to crowds, sometimes 30,000 strong, across Italy. He focuses on Bernardine’s devotion to the holy name of Jesus, which he promoted as the sole name by which we are saved, as reflected in Acts 4:12. Bernardine erected signs with the IHS monogram, the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek, at city entrances and encouraged its placement in homes as a reminder of belonging to Christ, sealed through baptism and confirmation, as noted in CCC 1257. Father recounts how Bernardine transformed gambling cards into holy cards bearing Jesus’ name, a tradition rooted in salvation. He emphasizes the name’s protective power against evil, urging its use with reverence in an age where blasphemy is common, as warned in Exodus 20:7. Father cites Bernardine’s quote, inspired by John 14:13, that Jesus’ name tempers God’s justice with mercy, born of love in the Virgin Mary’s womb, aligning with CCC 494. He also notes Bernardine’s devotion to Mary and Saint Joseph, reinforcing the call to glorify Jesus’ name, as in Philippians 2:9-10, to renew society’s respect for its sacredness.

For Further Reading:
Acts 4:12 - NAB - Salvation in Jesus’ name - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4?12
John 14:13 - NAB - Asking in Jesus’ name - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?13
Philippians 2:9-10 - NAB - Exalting Jesus’ name - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?9
Exodus 20:7 - NAB - Misusing God’s name - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/20?7
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1257 - Baptism’s sealing grace - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1257
Catechism of the Catholic Church #494 - Mary’s role in salvation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p2.htm#494
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2145 - Reverence for God’s name - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a2.htm#2145
Franciscan Media - St. Bernardine of Siena - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bernardine-of-siena/
Catholic Encyclopedia - Bernardine of Siena - Historical profile - https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02505b.htm

00:00 - Introduction to St. Bernardine
00:58 - Preaching faith’s truths
01:06 - Holy name devotion
01:30 - IHS monogram significance
01:56 - Holy cards, origin
02:32 - Salvation through Jesus
03:38 - Addressing modern blasphemy
05:41 - Bernardine’s inspiring quote

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Bernardine of Siena - Feast - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052025.cfm
1st: act 4:8-12
Resp: psa 145:1-6, 21
Gsp: joh 14:12-17

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=651

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