June 24, 2019

St. Stanislaus Basilica Holy Name Society celebrates 75 years

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Nick Morganelli

CHICOPEE – Jesus has many names: Emanuel, Messiah, Light of the World, Lord, son of God, son of David, Lamb of God, among many others.

And in the 11th century, the Holy Name Society was created by Pope Gregory to secure the reverence for the name of Jesus.

There are nearly a dozen Holy Name Societies in western Massachusetts, but the society at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica in Chicopee celebrated its 75^th year serving the parish community with an anniversary Mass on June 22. Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski was the chief celebrant, along with Conventual Franciscan Father Joseph Bayne, pastor of St. Stanislaus Basilica, and several deacons.

Bishop Rozanski spoke about the beginning of the Holy Name Society. “It traces its origins back to St. Bernadine of Siena (Bernardine Albizeschi, a Franciscan priest) and blessed John of Vercelli, who fostered a devotion to the holy name of Jesus as our savior and his name being above all names.”

Bishop Rozanski is episcopal moderator of the national society. “It’s great for me to celebrate with them and enjoy their presence and their work they do here at St. Stanislaus and also to give thanks to God for the society and what they do in promoting spirituality to the holy name of Jesus,” he said.

At the reception following the anniversary Mass, Michael Pray made a presentation on behalf of the members of the society and reminded those in attendance of the mission, which states in part, “to spread and increase the love for the sacred name of Jesus through word and example, to attend Mass, receive Communion, and to abstain from insults to God.”

At St. Stanislaus, the society holds fundraisers which help with scholarships for students of St. Stanislaus School and provide funds for the Take and Eat weekend meals program for the homebound.

Father Bayne says they are a simple group of men. “They are a quiet witness that we need in our world that is noisy sometimes. They’ve been telling people about Jesus for 75 years, sometimes with words, sometimes with action.”

The group always welcomes new members. Inquiries may be made through the rectory office at St. Stanislaus Basilica at 413-594-6669.

Blessed John of Vercelli Prayer

God our Father, You raised Blessed John of Vercelli to leadership in Your church and made him an apostle of the Holy Name of Jesus, Your divine Son. We ask of you, through the intercession of Blessed John, a renewal of devotion to Your son among ourselves and our fellow men. May all men come to know, to love and to reverence the most Holy Name of Jesus – “So that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.” Amen.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.