Magnificat Vol. LIX, No. 1 17 All the Saints followed this advice, so that their every act was done for love of Jesus; therefore, their every act and thought won them graces and merits. It was by the Name of Jesus that they became Saints. If we follow this same advice of the Apostle, we too shall attain a very high degree of sanctity. How are we to do everything in the Name of Jesus? By acquiring the habit of repeating the Name of Jesus frequently in the course of the day. This presents no difficulty, it only demands good will. We can do it while dressing, while working, while walking, in moments of sadness, at home or on the street, everywhere. Saint Augustine (1), that great Doctor of the Church, found his delight in repeating the Holy Name of Jesus. He admitted that he found much pleasure in books which made frequent mention of this divine Name. Saint Bernard (2) felt a wonderful joy and consolation in repeating the Name of Jesus. He felt it, as he says in his beautiful hymn,7 like honey in his mouth and a delicious peace in his heart. Saint Bonaventure tells us concerning his blessed Father Saint Francis (3) that his face lit up with joy and his voice showed by its tender accents how much he loved to invoke the all-Holy Name of JESUS. It is no wonder then that he received on his hands and feet and side the marks of the Five Wounds of Our Lord, a reward of his burning love. 7. Saint Ignatius Loyola (4) was second to none in his love for the Holy Name. He gave to his great Order not his own name, but called it the Society of JESUS. This Divine Name has been, as it were, a shield and defense of the Order against its enemies and a guarantee of the holiness and sanctity of its members. Glorious, indeed is the great Society of Jesus. Saint Francis de Sales (5) had no hesitation in saying that those who have the custom of repeating the Holy Name frequently may feel certain of dying a holy and happy death. And, indeed, there can be no doubt of this, because every time we say JESUS we apply the redeeming Blood of Jesus to our Souls, at the same time we implore God to do as He has promised: to grant us everything we ask in His Name. Not only will this practice obtain for us a holy death, but it will notably lessen our time in Purgatory and may very possibly deliver us altogether from that dreadful fire. Many Saints spent their last days repeating constantly, “Jesus, Jesus.” All the doctors of the Church agree in telling us that the devil reserves his fiercest temptations for our last moments,when he fills the minds of the dying person with doubts, fears and dreadful temptations in the hope of finally carrying the unfortunate soul to Hell. Happy therefore are those who, during their lifetime, have made sure to acquire the habit of calling upon the Name of Jesus. In his continual missions, Saint Leonard of Port Maurice (6) taught the people who thronged to listen to him the wonders of the Holy Name. 7. Jesu Dulcis Memoria, attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. See p. 23. 2 1 3 4 5 6
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