September 12
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
Liturgical colour : White
3rd classMost Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday after the 15th Sunday after Pentecost
Today, according to the traditional (1962) Roman calendar, the Church celebrates the feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast invites the faithful to contemplate the beauty and power contained in Mary’s name—a name intimately linked with the mystery of salvation, humility, and obedience. The origins of this feast are tied to fervent devotion to the Blessed Virgin throughout Christian history, but its celebration in September specifically commemorates the Church's gratitude after the Christian victory over Ottoman forces at the Siege of Vienna in 1683, an event attributed in part to Mary's intercession. Pope Innocent XI extended the feast to the Universal Church in the Latin Rite, directing it as an occasion to invoke Mary's protection and to reflect on her profound role in God’s saving plan.
Spiritually, the feast encourages Catholics to turn to Mary for aid and guidance, with a special reverence for her holy name, which has been seen by saints and mystics as a source of comfort, defense, and hope. The day is set as a III. classis (third class) feast, with the liturgical color white signifying Mary's purity and queenly dignity. Its placement after the Nativity of Mary (September 8) further highlights the Church's love and honor for the Mother of God. The focus is not just on external veneration, but on imitating Mary’s humility, faith, and unwavering trust in the Lord—virtues beautifully reflected in the simplicity and profundity of her name.
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Questions about Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Vetus Ordo Missae)
Local variations
- Africa — St Marcellinus, martyr
The liturgical day
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
IntroitPs 44:2
Latin
Ps 44:13; 44:15-16
Vultum tuum deprecabúntur omnes dívites plebis: adducéntur Regi Vírgines post eam: próximæ eius adducéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
Ps 44:2
Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea Regi.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Vultum tuum deprecabúntur omnes dívites plebis: adducéntur Regi Vírgines post eam: próximæ eius adducéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
English
Ps 44:13, 15-16.
All the rich among the people seek your favor. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to you with gladness and joy.
Ps 44:2
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
All the rich among the people seek your favor. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to you with gladness and joy.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Concéde, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut fidéles tui, qui sub sanctíssimæ Vírginis Maríæ Nómine et protectióne lætántur; eius pia intercessióne a cunctis malis liberéntur in terris, et ad gáudia ætérna perveníre mereántur in cœlis.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Concéde, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut fidéles tui, qui sub sanctíssimæ Vírginis Maríæ Nómine et protectióne lætántur; eius pia intercessióne a cunctis malis liberéntur in terris, et ad gáudia ætérna perveníre mereántur in cœlis.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that through the protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, Your faithful people who delight in her name may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from all evils on earth and be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness in heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that through the protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, Your faithful people who delight in her name may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from all evils on earth and be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness in heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
LessonEccli 24:23-31
Latin
Léctio libri Sapiéntiæ
Eccli 24:23-31
Ego quasi vitis fructificávi suavitátem odóris: et flores mei fructus honóris et honestátis. Ego mater pulchræ dilectiónis, et timóris, et agnitiónis, et sanctæ spei. In me grátia omnis viæ et veritátis: in me omnis spes vitæ et virtútis. Transíte ad me, omnes, qui concupíscitis me, et a generatiónibus meis implémini. Spíritus enim meus super mel dulcis, et heréditas mea super mel et favum. Memória mea in generatiónes sæculórum. Qui edunt me, adhuc esúrient: et qui bibunt me, adhuc sítient. Qui audit me, non confundétur: et qui operántur in me, non peccábunt. Qui elúcidant me, vitam ætérnam habébunt.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 24:23-31
I bud forth delights like the vine, my blossoms become fruit fair and rich. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come to me, all you that yearn for me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance better to have than honey and the honeycomb. My memory is to everlasting generations. They who eat of me will hunger still, and they who drink of me will thirst for more. He who obeys me will not be put to shame, they who serve me will never fail. They who explain me shall have life everlasting.
℟. Thanks be to God.
Gradual
Latin
Benedícta et venerábilis es, Virgo María: quæ sine tactu pudóris invénta es Mater Salvatóris.
℣. Virgo, Dei Génetrix, quem totus non capit orbis, in tua se clausit víscera factus homo. Allelúia, allelúia.
℣. Post partum, Virgo, invioláta permansísti: Dei Génetrix, intercéde pro nobis. Allelúia.
English
Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, without spot were made the Mother of the Saviour.
℣. O Virgin, Mother of God, He Whom the whole world cannot contain, shut Himself in your womb, becoming Man. Alleluia, alleluia.
℣. After childbirth you remained a Virgin inviolate: O Mother of God, intercede for us. Alleluia.
GospelLuc 1:26-38
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secúndum Lucam
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Luc 1:26-38
In illo témpore: Missus est Angelus Gábriel a Deo in civitátem Galilææ, cui nomen Názareth, ad Vírginem desponsátam viro, cui nomen erat Ioseph, de domo David, et nomen Vírginis María. Et ingréssus Angelus ad eam, dixit: Ave, grátia plena; Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus. Quæ cum audísset, turbáta est in sermóne eius: et cogitábat, qualis esset ista salutátio. Et ait Angelus ei: Ne tímeas, María, invenísti enim grátiam apud Deum: ecce, concípies in útero et páries fílium, et vocábis nomen eius Iesum. Hic erit magnus, et Fílius Altíssimi vocábitur, et dabit illi Dóminus Deus sedem David, patris eius: et regnábit in domo Iacob in ætérnum, et regni eius non erit finis. Dixit autem María ad Angelum: Quómodo fiet istud, quóniam virum non cognósco? Et respóndens Angelus, dixit ei: Spíritus Sanctus supervéniet in te, et virtus Altíssimi obumbrábit tibi. Ideóque et quod nascétur ex te Sanctum, vocábitur Fílius Dei. Et ecce, Elisabeth, cognáta tua, et ipsa concépit fílium in senectúte sua: et hic mensis sextus est illi, quæ vocátur stérilis: quia non erit impossíbile apud Deum omne verbum. Dixit autem María: Ecce ancílla Dómini, fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Luc 1:26-38
In illo témpore: Missus est Angelus Gábriel a Deo in civitátem Galilææ, cui nomen Názareth, ad Vírginem desponsátam viro, cui nomen erat Ioseph, de domo David, et nomen Vírginis María. Et ingréssus Angelus ad eam, dixit: Ave, grátia plena; Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus. Quæ cum audísset, turbáta est in sermóne eius: et cogitábat, qualis esset ista salutátio. Et ait Angelus ei: Ne tímeas, María, invenísti enim grátiam apud Deum: ecce, concípies in útero et páries fílium, et vocábis nomen eius Iesum. Hic erit magnus, et Fílius Altíssimi vocábitur, et dabit illi Dóminus Deus sedem David, patris eius: et regnábit in domo Iacob in ætérnum, et regni eius non erit finis. Dixit autem María ad Angelum: Quómodo fiet istud, quóniam virum non cognósco? Et respóndens Angelus, dixit ei: Spíritus Sanctus supervéniet in te, et virtus Altíssimi obumbrábit tibi. Ideóque et quod nascétur ex te Sanctum, vocábitur Fílius Dei. Et ecce, Elisabeth, cognáta tua, et ipsa concépit fílium in senectúte sua: et hic mensis sextus est illi, quæ vocátur stérilis: quia non erit impossíbile apud Deum omne verbum. Dixit autem María: Ecce ancílla Dómini, fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.
English
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 1:26-38
At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And when the angel had come to her, he said, Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. When she had heard him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God. Behold, you shall conceive in your womb and shall bring forth a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He shall be king over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. But Mary said to the angel, How shall this happen, since I do not know man? And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you; and therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth your kinswoman also has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for nothing shall be impossible with God. But Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 1:26-38
At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And when the angel had come to her, he said, Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. When she had heard him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God. Behold, you shall conceive in your womb and shall bring forth a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He shall be king over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. But Mary said to the angel, How shall this happen, since I do not know man? And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you; and therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth your kinswoman also has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for nothing shall be impossible with God. But Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.
OffertoryLuc 1:28
Latin
Orémus.
Luc 1:28 1:42
Ave, María, grátia plena; Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui.
Luc 1:28 1:42
Ave, María, grátia plena; Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui.
English
Let us pray.
Lk 1:28; 1:42
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Lk 1:28; 1:42
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Secret
Latin
Tua, Dómine, propitiatióne, et beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis intercessióne, ad perpétuam atque præséntem hæc oblátio nobis profíciat prosperitátem et pacem.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Through Your mercy, O Lord, and by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the Mother of Your only-begotten Son, may this offering profit us for prosperity and peace, now and forevermore.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Communion
Latin
Beáta víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt ætérni Patris Fílium.
English
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Sumptis, Dómine, salútis nostræ subsídiis: da, quǽsumus, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis patrocíniis nos ubíque prótegi; in cuius veneratióne hæc tuæ obtúlimus maiestáti.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Sumptis, Dómine, salútis nostræ subsídiis: da, quǽsumus, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis patrocíniis nos ubíque prótegi; in cuius veneratióne hæc tuæ obtúlimus maiestáti.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
Having received the aids conducive to our salvation, O Lord, we beseech You, grant that we may everywhere be protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Your Majesty.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Having received the aids conducive to our salvation, O Lord, we beseech You, grant that we may everywhere be protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Your Majesty.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Vetus Ordo texts: Divinum Officium