Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Christmastide

Week

Week 2 of Christmastide

Rank

Second-class feast

The Most Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated within Christmastide, the liturgical season that continues the Church’s rejoicing in the mystery of the Incarnation after Christmas Day. This feast honors the name given to the Child Jesus, recognizing that his name reveals who he is and the salvation he brings. In the divino_afflatu calendar this feast falls in the second week of Christmastide; there is no separate octave or vigil attached beyond the wider Christmas octave traditions.

Daily Prayer

The Introit for this day has not yet been generated.

Weekly Prayer

Weekly prayer content will appear here once it is scheduled.

Weekly Formation

Counsel, Command, and Consent

Ways of Being Accessory to Another’s Sin

By counsel
A person becomes accessory by counsel when advice, planning, or persuasion helps another choose a sinful act. Responsibility depends on knowing the act is wrong and on the real influence the counsel has in bringing it about.
By command
A person becomes accessory by command when authority is used to order another person to do wrong. The superior bears responsibility for directing the act, while the subordinate remains bound not to obey a command contrary to God’s law.
By consent
A person becomes accessory by consent when approval is knowingly given to another’s sinful plan or action, especially when that approval is needed for it to proceed. Consent can be expressed in words, decisions, votes, or any deliberate authorization.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Counsel the doubtful
Counseling the doubtful helps a person whose judgment is uncertain to recognize a sound and morally lawful course. Good counsel applies truth prudently to the actual difficulty and does not replace conscience with another person’s preferences.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebrationCalendar title

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

A biography or feast reflection has not yet been prepared.

Commemoration

John

Octave Day of St. John the Evangelist

author of the Gospel of John; traditionally identified with John the Apostle of Jesus, John of Patmos (author of Revelation), and John the Presbyter

Born: 0010-01-01 · Galilee
Died: 0098-01-01 · Ephesus

John the Evangelist is the name traditionally given to the author of the Gospel of John. Christians have traditionally identified him with John the Apostle, John of Patmos, and John the Presbyter, although there is no consensus on how many of these may actually be the same individual.

Today in Church History

No Church history reflection has been prepared for this date yet.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism teaches us that the Word became flesh through the Incarnation for our salvation. Jesus reconciles us with God, reveals God’s love, and was sent so that we might live through him and have eternal life. By taking on human nature, Jesus also becomes our model of holiness, teaching us to listen to him, walk in the way of truth and life, and love one another as he has loved us. This mystery invites us to enter into communion with the Word and become partakers of the divine nature through divine sonship. As we confess that Jesus Christ truly came in the flesh, we join the Church’s joyful faith in the mystery of the Incarnation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church presents an organic synthesis of the essential contents of Catholic faith and morals in light of the Second Vatican Council and the Church’s Tradition. Drawing on Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church’s Magisterium, it is intended especially as a resource for bishops, priests, catechists, and others responsible for teaching the faith, while also offering useful reading for all Christian faithful. Its structure follows four great pillars of catechesis: the profession of faith in the Creed, the sacraments of faith, the life of faith expressed in the Commandments and charity, and the prayer of the believer centered on the Lord’s Prayer. As we read it together, it can help us reflect on God’s gifts as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; on the salvation made present in the Church’s liturgy; on the call to beatitude through God’s law and grace; and on the good things we hope for in prayer to our heavenly Father.

¶ 461

Taking up St. John's expression, "The Word became flesh", The Church calls "Incarnation" the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. In a hymn cited by St. Paul, the Church sings the mystery of the Incarnation:

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings