I have a terrible time remembering people’s names.
Especially with people I just met. But I want to get better, because I know how special it feels when a person remembers your name and says it back to you. It means they took time to reflect on who you are and the name you go by. It’s a sign of respect.
Saying Mary’s Name in Prayer
That’s why it’s a wonderful experience to say the name of Mary in our prayers.
As Catholics, Mary’s fiat and love for humanity direct us to honor her holy name. It is a name we repeat at Mass in the Creed, and every time we recite the Rosary. Her name is also honored when we sing, “Ave Maria.”
A very common tradition at Catholic weddings is to offer flowers to Mary while that song is being sung. I was so happy at my wedding when my wife and I got to walk together, kneel, and present our flowers to her statue. Connecting our prayers with her name is a way to strengthen our bonds with her.
That is why the Church even offers a feast day to honor the Holy Name of Mary on September 12th.
Many Titles, One Name
One of my favorite prayer types is a litany, which is a call-and-response form of prayer where we repeat our intercessions. In the Litany of Loreto, we reflect on the different titles of Mary; “Comfort of the Afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of Angels, etc.”
This is also a strong prayer directing us to share the power of one name and the many roles she plays in our faith life.
As I try to get better at remembering people’s names, I can also get better at saying Mary’s name more by increasing my prayers for her intercession. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux said:
“O great, O gentle, O most lovable Mary, thy Holy Name cannot be spoken without inflaming the heart. To those who love thee, it is unspeakable consolation and joy even to think of thee; thou art a sweet memory to those who honor thee.”
Daniel Quintero is a stand-up comedian currently attending Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Parish. His favorite motto: “Awkwardness does not exist.”
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