Novena to the Holy Name, day IV

FOURTH DAY.

Efficacy of the Name of Jesus.

Consider, devout soul, the efficacy of the adorable name of Jesus for the purpose of offering prayers pleasing to God, and of obtaining all that we ask of him. This name opens for us the way to arrive promptly at the feet of the Most High, and to have our prayers heard at once. The Gospel also attests that the prayers of Jesus himself have always been heard by virtue of his great name, and that he authorizes us to say, when speaking to God, "Our Father, who art in heaven." In consideration of the name of Jesus, God looks with a favorable eye upon our petition ; he accepts it kindly and grants it, because he sees that it bears his seal and is marked with the precious blood of the Lamb that was immolated for us. For this reason Jesus exhorted the Apostles, and exhorts all, that we should ask in his name all that we ask of his Father, in order to be sure that we shall obtain it: If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you. (Jn 16:23) It is enough for him to hear the petition, and he will bestow upon us the favors that have been asked of him in the name of his beloved Son, with whom he is well pleased, and who, in order to satisfy his offended justice, has shown himself obedient ever unto death. We should, then know how to profit by the efficacious power of the holy name of Jesus; being sure that our prayers will be heard we should, often, every hour of the day, repeat our prayers to the Eternal Father, and we shall advance in perfection on the road of the divine precepts, until we attain the happiness of seeing and possessing him for all eternity in heaven.

O Sweet Jesus, our love and our hope! since You have deigned to assume mortal flesh, in order to open to us the gate of pardon, and to render our prayers efficacious by virtue of Your glorious name, grant that, in order to obtain from the heavenly Father graces and gifts, our prayers for perseverance may be heard, so that, faithful to the divine law to the end of our lives, we may, with Your holy name on our lips, pass from this valley of tears to the glory of' paradise.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, etc., nine times, in honor of the efficacy of the name of Jesus.

V.Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

R.From henceforth and for evermore!

Let us pray.

God, who did appoint Your only-begotten Son Savor of mankind, and did command that he should be called Jesus, mercifully grant that we may enjoy the vision of him in heaven, whose holy Name we venerate on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.