New York, N.Y.– As the Administration of HNP acknowledges its feast day, members of the Provincial Office staff wish readers a Happy New Year.
January 3 is the feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus, and also the patron of Holy Name College in SIlver Spring, Md., Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., and Holy Name of Jesus Church in New York, N.Y.
The devotion to the Holy Name became popular because of the 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially through the preaching of St. Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan, according to American Catholic’s Web site. Bernardine used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter class struggles and family rivalries in Italian city states.
The devotion grew, according to American Catholic, partly because of Franciscan and Dominican preachers.
The logo of Holy Name Province is based on a symbol devised by Bernardine. It shows IHS, the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek, in Gothic letters on a blazing sun, and was meant to displace the superstitious symbols of the day, as well as the insignia of factions (for example, Guelphs and Ghibellines).
The devotion spread, and the symbol began to appear on churches, homes and public buildings. Opposition arose from those who thought it a dangerous innovation. Three attempts were made to have the pope take action against him, but Bernardine’s holiness, orthodoxy and intelligence were evidence of his faithfulness.
Shown in the cover photo are staff members of Holy Name’s Provincial Office — Leila Sanchez (of the Vocation office), Erlinda Martinez (Accounting Group), Jocelyn Thomas (Communications), Michael LaCugna (Accounting), Phil Jacobs (Communications), Terry Bartha (Administration), and Sharon Berrios (Administration).