Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus facts for kids
The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is a special day celebrated by Christians. It honors the name "Jesus," which is very important in Christianity. This feast is celebrated on different dates around the world.
History of the Holy Name Feast
The celebration of the Holy Name of Jesus began in the Roman Catholic Church. It started locally around the late 1400s. People celebrated it on different days, usually in January.
One important date was January 1st. This day is eight days after Christmas. It remembers when the child Jesus was named. The Gospel story tells us that Jesus was named by an angel even before he was born. Many Christian churches still celebrate this day. It is also known as the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ.
In 1530, the Franciscans religious group was officially allowed to celebrate this feast. From there, it spread to many other parts of the Church. Different groups celebrated it on different days. For example, the Franciscans and Carmelites celebrated it on January 14th. The Dominicans celebrated it on January 15th. In some places like England and Scotland, it was on August 7th.
Around 1643, a group called the Carthusians started celebrating it on the second Sunday after Epiphany. This date became official for the whole Roman Rite in 1721. This was decided by Pope Innocent XIII. Later, in 1913, Pope Pius X moved the feast. It was then celebrated on the Sunday between January 2nd and 5th. If there was no such Sunday, it was on January 2nd.
In 1969, the feast was removed from the main calendar. This was because Jesus' naming was already remembered during the Christmas season. However, the special prayers and readings for the Holy Name of Jesus were kept. They could still be used in special Masses. The celebration was put back on the main calendar in 2002.
How the Holy Name Feast is Celebrated Today
Today, in the Latin Rite Catholic Church, it is an optional day of remembrance. It is celebrated on January 3rd. Some Catholics still follow an older calendar from 1962. For them, the feast is on January 2nd. The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus in Roman Catholicism.
The Jesuits are a religious order. They celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. It is a very important day for their order.
Many Anglican churches also observe this feast. This includes the Episcopal Church (United States). They celebrate it on January 1st. In the Book of Common Prayer used by the Episcopal Church since 1979, January 1st is called the "Feast of the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ." The Church of England also focuses on January 1st for this celebration.
The Anglican Church of Canada remembers the Holy Name on August 7th. Many Eastern Churches also celebrate the feast on January 1st.
In the Lutheran Church, the Festival of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated on January 1st. The United Methodist Church also observes the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus on January 1st. The special color for this day is white or gold. The Presbyterian Church (USA) also celebrates it on January 1st.
See also
In Spanish: Fiesta del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús para niños
- Litany of the Holy Name
- Feast of the Circumcision of Christ
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
