20 Vol. LIX, No. 1 Magnificat Monsignor Andre Dias. This holy man, seeing that the epidemic, far from diminishing, was growing in intensity every day, and despairing of human help, urged the unhappy people to call on the Holy Name of Jesus. “Write the Name of Jesus on cards,” he said, “and keep those cards on your person, place them at night under your pillow, place them on your door, but above all constantly invoke this most powerful Name with your lips and in your heart.” Then, summoning them to the great Church of St. Dominic, he spoke to them again of the power of the Name of Jesus. Then he blessed some water in the Name of Jesus Christ and commanded all the people to sprinkle themselves with it and to sprinkle it on the faces of the sick and dying. Wonder of wonders! The sick got well, the dying arose from their agony, the plague ceased, and in a few days the city was delivered from the most awful scourge that had ever visited it. For many centuries, the grateful people continued their love and confidence in the Name of our Saviour, so that in all their troubles, in all dangers, when evils of any kind threatened them, they invoked the Name of Jesus. Confraternities were formed in the churches, monthly processions of the Holy Name were made, altars were raised in honor of this blessed Name, so that the greatest curse that had ever fallen upon Portugal was transformed into the greatest blessing. Healed by the Holy Name Saint Gregory of Tours relates that when he was a boy, his father fell gravely ill and lay dying. Young Gregory prayed fervently for his recovery. One night when he was asleep, Gregory’s Guardian Angel appeared to him and told him to write the Name of Jesus on a card and place it under the sick man’s pillow. In the morning, Gregory acquainted his mother with the Angel’s message, which she advised him to obey. He did so and placed the card under his father’s head. To the delight of the entire family, the patient grew rapidly better. The doctrine of the Holy Name You may ask, dear reader, how it is that one word can work such wonders? I answer that with one word, God created the World. With His word, He called out of nothing the sun, the moon, the stars, the high mountains and the vast oceans. By His word He sustains the entire universe. Does not the priest, too, in Holy Mass, work a wonder of wonders, does He not transform the little white host into the God of Heaven and earth by the words of the Consecration? And though God alone can pardon sin, does not the priest also in the confessional pardon the blackest sins and the most awful crimes? JESUS! JESUS! O adorable Name! Name full of charm and goodness! Name of ineffable sweetness! Name of light and truth! Name of mercy and love! Name of strength and victory! Often say this thrice-holy Name! JESUS! JESUS! This Name alone is enough to enlighten your steps, calm your mind, purify and warm your heart, strengthen your will, sanctify your soul! Father Eugene Prevost
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