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

Stephen

Octave of St. Stephen

Deacon, martyr, and saint

Born: 0001-00-00 · Greece
Died: 0036-01-01 · Jerusalem

Stephen is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become an apostle, participated in Stephen's execution.

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.

God, in his goodness, created us to share in his blessed life. He draws close to us, calling us to seek, know, and love him, and through his Son invites us in the Holy Spirit to become his adopted children. Christ sent the apostles to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations, and all the faithful are called to hand on this faith by professing it, living in fraternal sharing, and celebrating it in liturgy and prayer. Catechesis serves this mission by educating children, young people, and adults in the faith and initiating them into the fullness of Christian life. As we grow in faith, celebrate the sacraments, take part in the Church’s community, and bear witness to the Gospel, we help hand on the treasure received from the apostles to the next generation.

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.

Today's Mass Readings

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