Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus
IF we are in affliction, let us invoke Jesus, and He will console us. If we are tempted, let us invoke Jesus, and He will give us strength to withstand all our enemies. If, lastly, we are in aridity, and are cold in divine love, let us invoke Jesus, and He will inflame our hearts. Happy are they who have this most tender and holy name always on their lips! A name of peace, a name of hope, a name of salvation, and a name of love.
Since, then, O my Jesus! Thou art the Saviour Who hast given Thy blood and Thy life for me, I pray Thee to write Thy adorable name on my poor heart; so that, having it always there imprinted by love, I may also have it ever on my lips, by invoking it in all my necessities. If the devil tempts me. Thy name will give me strength to resist him; if I lose confidence, Thy name will animate me to hope; if I am in affliction. Thy name will comfort me by reminding me of all Thou didst endure for me. If I find myself cold in Thy love. Thy name will inflame me by reminding me of the love Thou hast shown me. If I have hitherto fallen into so many sins, it is because I did not call on Thee; from henceforth Thy name shall be my defense, my refuge, my hope, my only consolation, my only love. Thus do I hope to live, and so do I hope to die, having Thy name always on my lips.
Most holy Virgin, obtain for me the grace of invoking the name of thy Son Jesus in all my necessities together with thine own, my Mother Mary; but let me invoke them always with confidence and love. O my beloved Jesus! O Mary, my beloved Lady! give me the grace to suffer and to die for love of you. I will be no longer mine own, but altogether yours; yours in life, and yours in death, when I hope by your help to expire saying, Jesus and Mary, help me; Jesus and Mary, I recommend myself to you; Jesus and Mary, I love you, and I deliver up to you my whole soul.
— From Devotions and Prayers by St. Alphonsus Liguori.
