There is power in a name.
We use names constantly, usually without thinking much about that. We call for our children, introduce ourselves to strangers, sign our names on letters and documents...
But some names mean more than others.
Today (September 12) is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, and there's something beautiful about the fact that Church gives us a day simply to remember her name. Mary. Maria. Myriam.
Familiarity can make it easy for us to forget how remarkable that name is. Mary is the name of a woman who said yes to God when He asked for something extraordinary. The name of the mother who carried the God-Man in her womb, gave Him life, raised Him, and stood beside Him at the Cross. It's the name on our lips when we need a mother.
It's why I started doing this art form in the first place: we forget. We forget to pray. We forget the things we promised to remember. Even when we pray, we remember the words but we forget the meaning. Sometimes we need something in front of us as a reminder.
A crucifix on the wall. A Bible on the nightstand. A prayer beside the bed. The name of Mary written where we'll see it as we walk through the house carrying the umpteenth basket of laundry.
On this feast today, perhaps take a moment just to say her name: Mary. And then... ask her to pray for you.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
You can check out my whole Marian Collection of prints here.