Collect taken from the memorial of St. Bernardine, Priest.
Collect: O God, who gave the Priest Saint Bernardine of Siena a great love for the holy Name of Jesus, grant through his merits and prayers, that we may ever be set aflame with the spirit of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…
“O God, who gave the Priest Saint Bernardine of Siena a great love for the holy Name of Jesus,“
– St. Bernardine was famous for his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and his eagerness to spread that love. As with the other saints, we attribute this zeal and virtue to a gift of God and give him the ultimate credit for it.
“grant through his merits and prayers, that we may ever be set aflame with the spirit of your love.”
– At the same time, St. Bernardine’s virtue produced merit by the grace of God. As members of the same body, we can draw upon that treasury of merit as we seek to grow in holiness and be set aflame with love.
Questions & Advice: How devoted to the Holy Name are you? Do you take the name “Jesus” in vain often? When you decide you want to get better at something, do you simply rely on yourself or do you ask God and the saints for help?
Reflect on the way you pray the Our Father. Especially when you say “Hallowed be thy name,” consider what that line means. It is actually a request, not a simple description. Consider if you really want God’s name, including the name of Jesus to be treated with reverence. Read the Catechism (CCC 2668) on the invocation of the name of Jesus.