www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Litany of the Holy Name

Although outside the Byzantine brief I must ask if
anyone tell me when the litany of the Holy Name became a comon devotion. I found a old French devotional book in a secondhand booksale. I leafed through and was smitten by the words. How beautiful!

Spasi Khristos -
Mark, monk and sinner.

Bless me a sinner, Father Mark,

This happened in the 13th century when devotion to the Holy Name was popular with St Francis and others.

St Francis of Assisi would often stop speaking when he mentioned the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus, stick out his tongue and start licking his lips.

He said that much spiritual honey overflowed in the mouth when the Name of Jesus was spoken and it was important to lick it up so that none is wasted . . .

St Leonard of Port-Maurice also recommended saying a thousand times daily, "My Jesus, Mercy!"

St Francis de Sales recommended: "Live, my Jesus, Live!"

Alex