The sweetness of the name of Mary
By St Alphonsus Maria Liguori | 10 September 2025
Extract from The Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary (12 September)
“O Sweet Virgin Mary”
Her sweetness in life and death
Many saints have said that Mary’s name came from heaven. “The name of Mary came from God’s treasury”. (St Peter Damien) The Blessed Trinity bestowed on her a name above every other name, except that of Jesus. God willed that all powers in heaven, earth and hell fall down at her name. I want to examine this unique sweetness which Mary’s servants have found in this name.
Like honey
“This name is filled with every sweetness.” (Honorius) St. Anthony of Padua said, “O Mary, your name is joy in the heart, honey in the mouth and a song in the ear of your followers.”
Three times in the Canticle, the angels ask Mary’s name. “Who is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke.” (Song 3:6) “Who is this who comes forth like the dawn?” (Song 6:9) “Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning upon her lover?” (Song 8:5) “Why do the angels ask her name? “Because her name is so sweet that they want to hear it in reply.” (Richard of St. Lawrence)
The power of the name
I do not want to speak of sensible sweetness (which only some experience). I want to speak of the sweetness of consolation, confidence and strength which all receive when they pronounce this name.
“There is no other name after Jesus, from which souls receive such hope and sweetness. There is something so divine in Mary’s name that it breathes a delightful sweetness into friendly hearts. Even if they hear the name a thousand times, they receive the same pleasure.” (Abbot Francone)
When Blessed Henry Suso pronounced the name “Mary”, he was filled with joy and tears. He said her name was like honey in the recess of his soul, “O Mary what must you be like, when just your name alone is so powerful.” “O most holy Virgin, your name is so sweet I cannot pronounce it without being inflamed with God’s love. Just the thought of your name fills our minds with joy.” (St Bernard) “If riches comfort the poor, how much more Mary’s name comforts us in the trials of life. Your name, Mary, relieves our poverty.” (Richard of St Lawrence)
Source of blessings
“Your name, Mary, is filled with divine blessings.” (St Methodius) “Your name, Mary, cannot be devoutly pronounced without bringing grace.” (St Bonaventure) However much a sinner is hardened, the name of Mary will wonderfully soften him. Mary leads sinners to ponder their needs. “By you, Mary, does the sinner recover hope of forgiveness.” (Blessed Raymond) The name of Mary “is a precious ointment breathing forth divine grace. Let this ointment enter your soul’s innermost recesses.” (St Ambrose) To remember Mary’s name is a sign of divine grace or, at least, a pledge that grace will soon be recovered. “To remember your name, O Mary, comforts the afflicted, recalls those who have strayed, and encourages sinners so they do not despair.” (Ludolph of Saxony)
Encouraging to sinners
“Jesus has five wounds which remedied the world’s evils. So, the name Maria has five letters which bring pardon to sinners.” The Office of Our Lady says, “Your name is like oil poured out.” Oil heals the sick and nourishes flames. Mary’s name heals sinners and inflames divine love. Sinners must be encouraged to use Mary’s name “because it alone will cure them of all evils. There is nothing so evil that the power of Mary’s name cannot overcome it.” (Richard of St Lawrence)
“The devils fear Mary and when they hear her name, they fly away.” (Thomas a Kempis) “Any sinner, no matter how devoid of God’s love, if they invoke my name will overcome the devil.” (Mary to St. Bridget)
“All the devils fear my name so much that when they hear it, they immediately let go of the soul they have held captive. When my name is invoked, evil angels flee from sinners and good angels approach the just man.” (Mary to St Bridget) As breathing is a sign of life, so using Mary’s name frequently is a sign of grace, or at least, a pledge of future grace. This powerful name obtains life for those who use it devoutly.” (St. Germanus)
Source of purity
“Her name is like a fortified tower. A sinner who takes refuge there will be saved from death. This name saves even the most abandoned and defends the just from hell’s assaults. After the name of Jesus, no other name is so much the source of salvation.” (Richard of St Lawrence) Her followers know that Mary’s name gives them strength to overcome temptations against purity. “And the Virgin’s name was Mary.” (Lk 1:27) Luke joins these two, virgin and Mary. He shows that her name will always be linked with chastity. “The name of Mary is an indication of chastity.” (St Peter Chrysologos) Those who invoke her name while tempted by impure thoughts know they have not consented.
“In dangers and in doubt call on Mary. Let her name not leave your lips or your heart.” (St Bernard) The names of Mary and Jesus go together. Never let these two names be off our lips. By them, we conquer all temptations.
Special graces
Jesus revealed to St Bridget that He would give three special graces to those who devoutly invoke Mary’s name:
- Perfect sorrow for sins
- Atonement for sins
- Strength to gain perfection, followed by glory in heaven
“Your words, O Mary, are so sweet to me that I cannot deny whatever you ask.” (Jesus’ revelation to St Bridget) “Mary’s name is the key to heaven’s gate. God puts this key in the hands of those who devoutly use it. (St Ephrim) “Mary is the salvation of all who call on her. (St Bonaventure)” Invoking Mary’s name devoutly leads to superabundant graces in this life and a high degree of glory in the next.” (Richard of St Lawrence) “To have consolation in every work, honour Mary, walk with Mary and seek Jesus through Mary. By doing this, you will always advance in God’s ways. Mary will pray for you and her Son will grant whatever she asks.” (Thomas a Kempis)
The hour of death
Her name is sweet in this life, but even sweeter in death, because it ensures a holy and peaceful end. Fr Caputo SJ urged all dying souls to pronounce Mary’s name. When repeated at death’s hour, devils flee and the person is comforted.
“Blessed is the man who loves your name, O Mary, because no one who invokes you has any fear of death.” (St Bonaventure) So many holy people have died with Mary’s name on their lips. O reader, may her name be the last word on our lips. “O sweet and safe is the death accompanied by that name. God grants the grace of invoking it to whomever he wishes to save.” (St Germanus)
O Mary, I love your name because I love you. I hope to use it in life and in death. “O Mary, for the glory of your name, come and meet my soul as it departs from this world. Be my ladder to heaven. Obtain for me forgiveness and eternal rest.” (St Bonaventure)
Example St. Camillus de Lellis (founder of a nursing order) told his members to have the dying person say the names of Jesus and Mary. At his own death, he invoked Jesus and Mary with such devotion that all the bystanders were inflamed with love for these names. When his soul took flight, he gave forth a great expression of heavenly peace. His last words were, “Jesus and Mary.”
Prayer
O Mary, in spite of the impurity of my tongue, may I always invoke your name, which is the breath of my life. I will repeat again and again, “Mary, Mary”, especially at the hour of death. Let me forget every other name except Jesus and Mary. May I be invoking your names at my last breath.