The Irish standard., 1918-11-16
The. HOLY NAME
BY the Late Rev. c. H. Mckenna, o.
p, Apostle Of the Holy Name So
ciety In the United States.

ciety in the United States.
During the month of October of
each year the heart Of every true
lover of Christ must be filed with
joy and gladness upon hearing of or
witnessing those magnificent process
sions that wend their ways through
the streets of our large cities in honor
Of the adorable name of Jesus. And
with this Joy must mingle gratitude
to our Heavenly Father for the won.
derful development of this venerable
society, which numbers within its
ranks a million and a half loyal and
true Catholic men. Branches of the
society are now established in every
diocese of the country, from the At
lantic to the Pacific and from Canada
to the Gulf of Mexico. Eschewing
politics and all temporal considera-
lions, the members of the Holy Name
Society labor to promote the honor
and glory of Jesus Christ; to defend
His name from insult and to advance
themselves in those virtues which He
came on earth to teach.
The influence of the society for
good, already tremendous, Is rapidly
becoming more widespread and is re-
ceiving recognition on every side. The
public profession of faith in the Di-
the courage it has given to tepid,
weakened Catholics to ,mapfully
proclaim their belief in their Re-
deemer, and their detestations of BIAS
phemies against Him; the effect all
this has on on-Catholics; the i'm.
press on our youth; all make power
fully for good; for the glory of God,
and for the reverence due to His Holy
Name.
But there is a deeper and greater
good which the society accomplishes;
good which is recognized by every
Jealous pastor and Holy Name direc-
tor, namely, the marvellous effect
which the observance of the rules of
the society has on the lives of it's
members. Many who were slaves to
sin have manfully triumphed over
their passions through the graces of
frequent confession and Communion:
to which sacraments they were
brought by the influence of the Holy
Name Society.
There is yet another class which
the Holy Name Society must deeply
impress-the skeptic. These can but
ask themselves: What hidden power
influences these multitudes to Join in
those public professions? They can
lind no human motive that would
prompt vast bodies of men, many of
them aged and infirm, many in need
of the Sundays rest after q weeks
hard work, to undertake journey of
six or seven hours, now in the after
Moons burning sun or again in the
chilly autumn rain. All! the infidel
cannot understand all this; for It is
the power of faith. 1t is the power
of grace given these true and brave
men by Him whom they adore and
love; by Him whose love for them
caused Him to die on Calvary. These
processionists love to make sacrifices
for Him Who offered Himself as d
holocaust for them.
The origin of the Holy Name So.
clety Is too we'll known to our readers
to need further mention here. It is
the Oldest society Of the laymen in
the Church, having had it's beginning
during the pontificate of Pope Greg.
ory K, in the year 1874. It was this
pontiff who commanded the sons of
st. Dominic to preach devotion to the
Holy Name. Taking up this sublime
mission, the Dominicans have contin.
ued to labor for the glory of the Holy
Name even to the present day.
The Church has enriched the So
ciety with many precious indulgences
whilst the old Order of st. Dominic
grants members of sthis society q
share in the benefits of all the Masses,
Divine Offices, mission labors-in
short, Of all the good works of the
whole Order throughout the world.
And this priceless privilege may be
enjoyed not only during life, but, to
those who are faithful members of the
Holy Name Society, it is granted as
long as their souls may stand in need
OF the SURFACES of the faithful.
Catholic men are alive to these
great spiritual advantages and with
holy zeal that is truly edifying are
rapidly enlisting themselves undd4he
banner Of Our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ by joining this society sacred
to His Holy Name. Looking back
over the past few years, It is inspir.
Ing to note that nearly two thousand
new societies have been established
within that space of time, and increas-
Ing this noble army of true Catholic
manhood by more than q half mil.
lion members.
Never was there cause more holy
than this great movement in honor
OF the sacred name of Jesus Christ:
nor ever was time more lpropitious
nor need more urgent. All the powers
OF hell seem turned loose against
Christ, against His Church and against
all order and authority. By organ
lied effort, by individual apostleship,
by the living word and by the printed
page; In season and out Of season the
enemies Of Christ are striving to shake
the very foundations of society; to
uproot from mems minds the very be-
lief in the Divinity of Christ and from
their hearts love and generation for
the Son of God who became man and
died on the cross to save us. Some
make so bold as to say that Christian
1ty is tottering to it's ruin.
But when we look upon that great
army Of more than a million men and
boys who openly and gladly make pro-
fession of faith in Jesus Christ, who