Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

January is dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated on January 2. This follows New Years Day, which is celebrated as the Feast of the Mother of God, and the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus.

From "The Saint Andrew Daily Missal" (1937) is the following prayer:

In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow of those that are in heaven (angels) on earth (men) and under the earth (devils).

The Church, having made known to us the Incarnation of the divine Son, now unfolds to us the glories of His Name.

Among the Jews a child received his name at the rite of Circumcision. For this feast the Church uses the same Gospel as that of the Circumcision, emphasising the latter part which records that "His Name was called Jesus" (Gospel). The name means Saviour and we read :

"There is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. " (Epistle) The origin of this feast goes back to the 16th century, when it was already observed by the Franciscan Order. In 1721, during the pontificate of Innocent XIII, its observance was extended to the whole Church.

If we wish to "see our names written in heaven under the glorious name of Jesus" (Postcommunion), that name must be often on our lips here below.

An indulgence of twenty days may be gained by all who bow the head with reverence when speaking or hearing the names of Jesus and Mary, while Pius X granted 300 days to those who piously invoke them with the lips, or at least in the heart.

[The Enchiridion of Indulgences now allows a partial indulgence for the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.]

Missa In nomine Jesu omne genuflectatur, Caelestium, terrestrium, et infernorum: et omnis lingua contiteatur, quia Dominus Jesus Christus in gloria est Dei Patris. - "In the name of Jesus let every knee bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father." 

"....vocatum est nomen Eius Iesus quod vocatum est ab Angelo priusquam in utero conciperetur.....His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in the Womb ...."

Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~~ Philippians 2:5-11

"Nothing is so consoling, so piercing, so thrilling, so overcoming, as the Mass, said as it is among us. I could attend Mass forever, and not be tired.
It is not a mere form of words; it is a great action. The greatest action that can be on earth. It is. . .the vocation of the Eternal."  -- John Henry Cardinal Newman