Andrea J | Last Updated: May 12, 2023
The typical Catholic devotion for the month of January is to the Holy Name of Jesus. This name was bestowed upon Him even before His birth (Luke 1:31), when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.
St. Paul spoke of the greatness of his name in his letter to the Philippians, when he wrote “God greatly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Phil 2:9-10)
Therefore, it is fitting that over time, devotion to the Holy Name grew. The entire month is dedicated to this devotion, but there is also a specific Feast of the Holy Name as well. Historical records show this feast originated in the latter 1400s as a local devotion in Europe, first spreading to the entirety of the Franciscan order in 1530 and further still over the centuries following. It was made a Universal feast in 1721.
The feast day is now celebrated on January 3 as an optional memorial, meaning you might not necessarily hear this Mass in your church if it is celebrated as a regular weekday.
However, you can bring this devotion into your home and your spiritual life even if your local parish doesn’t celebrate. The Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus draws us deeper into relationship with our Lord by focusing on all His titles and the names by which He is known. The text of this litany is below.
Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
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Lord, have mercy |
Lord, have mercy |
|
Christ, have mercy |
Christ, have mercy |
|
Lord, have mercy |
Lord, have mercy |
|
God our Father in heaven |
have mercy on us |
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God the Son, |
have mercy on us |
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Redeemer of the world |
have mercy on us |
|
God the Holy Spirit |
have mercy on us |
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Holy Trinity, one God |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, Son of the living God |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, splendor of the Father |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, brightness of everlasting light |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, king of glory |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, dawn of justice |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, worthy of our love |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, worthy of our wonder |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, mighty God |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, father of the world to come |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, prince of peace |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, all-powerful |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, pattern of patience |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, model of obedience |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, gentle and humble of heart |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, lover of chastity |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, lover of us all |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, God of peace |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, author of life |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, model of goodness |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, seeker of souls |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, our God |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, our refuge |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, father of the poor |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, treasure of the faithful |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, Good Shepherd |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, the true light |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, eternal wisdom |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, infinite goodness |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, our way and our life |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, joy of angels |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, king of patriarchs |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, teacher of apostles |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, master of evangelists |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, courage of martyrs |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, light of confessors |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, purity of virgins |
have mercy on us |
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Jesus, crown of all saints |
have mercy on us |
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Lord, be merciful |
Jesus, save your people |
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From all evil |
Jesus, save your people |
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From every sin |
Jesus, save your people |
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From the snares of the devil |
Jesus, save your people |
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From your anger |
Jesus, save your people |
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From the spirit of infidelity |
Jesus, save your people |
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From everlasting death |
Jesus, save your people |
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From neglect of your Holy Spirit |
Jesus, save your people |
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By the mystery of your incarnation |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your birth |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your childhood |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your hidden life |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your public ministry |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your agony and crucifixion |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your abandonment |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your grief and sorrow |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your death and burial |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your rising to new life |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your return in glory to the Father |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your gift of the holy Eucharist |
Jesus, save your people |
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By your joy and glory |
Jesus, save your-people |
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Christ, hear us |
Christ, hear us |
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Lord Jesus, hear our prayer |
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer |
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Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world |
have mercy on us |
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Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world |
have mercy on us |
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Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world |
have mercy on us |
Let us pray.
As we venerate the most holy Name of Jesus,
mercifully grant us, Lord,
that, savoring its sweetness in this life,
we may be filled with everlasting joy
in our heavenly homeland.
Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
(from the USCCB)
