Holy Name Society
The Confraternity of the Most Holy Names of God and Jesus (Holy Name Society) promotes reverence for the Sacred Names of God and Jesus Christ, obedience and loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and the personal sanctification and holiness of its members
Members are called to contribute to the evangelization mission of the Church and to make perpetual acts of reverence and love for our Lord and Savior. The apostolate of the society is to assist in parish ministries by performing the Corporal Works of Mercy: to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, shelter to the homeless, tend the sick, visit those in prison, and bury the dead; as well as the Spiritual Works of Mercy: to convert sinners, instruct the ignorant, counsel the wayward, comfort the sorrowing, bear adversity patiently, forgive offenses, and pray for the living and the dead.
The Holy Name Society meets monthly on 1st Fridays after evening Mass. Meetings typically begin with a spiritual conference given by one of our priests, and are usually followed by fellowship among HNS members.
Objectives:
Primary objective: sanctification of its members (means utilized for this are discussed below).
Secondary objective: Works of the lay apostolate under the direction of the priest, beginning in the parish and then extending outwards. Among other things, this includes spiritual conferences with the priest, and the organization of a yearly day of recollection for the parish.
The primary objective includes an additional element: camaraderie among the men of the parish. We are social creatures by nature, and we will be saved or damned socially, together with others. There are two facets to this: many rely on our help, more than we realize, and we have to live with this truth in mind; also, our Christian duties are such that we cannot accomplish them alone—we need the support of others. This is one of the goals of the Holy Name Society, to facilitate this mutual assistance among Catholic men that is so greatly needed today, and this begins with spending time together. The HNS holds regular meetings, a yearly dinner, and regular social evenings.
Means (Promises)
The following promises do not bind under pain of sin, but Holy Name members should make an honest effort as a matter of honor to discharge these obligations.
1. To labor individually for the glory of God's Name, and to make it known to those who are ignorant of it.
2. Never to pronounce disrespectfully the Name of Jesus.
3. To avoid blasphemy, perjury, profane and indecent language.
4. To induce their neighbors to refrain from all insults against God and His saints and from profane and unbecoming language.
5. To remonstrate with those who blaspheme or use profane language in their presence. This must be governed by zeal, prudence and common sense.
6. Never to work or carry on business unnecessarily on Sunday.
7. To do all they can to induce their dependents to sanctify the Sunday.
8. To attend regularly the meetings and devotional exercises of the Society.
9. To communicate in a body on the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus and on the regular Communion Sundays (2nd of the month) of the Society.
10. To have a Requiem Mass said each year sometime after the Feast of the Holy Name for all the deceased members. All who can attend the Anniversary Mass should do so.
11. To assemble at an hour convenient to the Society on the day appointed every month (1st Fridays) for devotional exercises and for the transaction of business.
To Join the Holy Name Society:
The Holy Name Society is open to any male in good standing at his local chapel. Please contact the St. Joseph's Chapter President about details and requirements. There are monthly meetings and a small annual due to support the good works performed by the local chapter.
Officers:
President: Paul Kalil | Email (313) 580-5096
Vice President: Steve Yousif
Secretary: Matthew Kassab
Treasurer: Tyler Giannattasio