Tractatus Prior, Pars Prior, Cap. 9. De impositione salutiferi nominis lesu,
Tractatus Prior, Pars Prior, Cap. 9. De impositione salutiferi nominis lesu,
I bless you and give thanks to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the calling of your new, saving, and worthy name, which is called Jesus. This was first announced by the angel to the ears of the Blessed Virgin Mary; later, it was revealed to Saint Joseph in dreams; but today it has been given to you by your parents. O sweetest name of Jesus, above every name in heaven and on earth, blessed. According to your name, Jesus, so too is your praise throughout the ends of the earth. From the rising of the sun to its setting, your name is worthy of praise, now and forever. This most holy and venerable name has been appropriated to you by the Father from eternity, but it has been revealed to humanity in time. For there is no other name under heaven given to humanity by which we must be saved. Therefore, let every knee bow to you, O Jesus, of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and let every tongue confess that you are Jesus Christ, our salvation and redemption. O sweetest Jesus, how wonderful is your name in all the earth! Your name is indeed magnificent, surpassing the name of Solomon and all the kings who were before him and those who will reign after him. Therefore, all the kings of the earth will worship you; and all the tribes and languages will serve you, because you are our Lord God, the king and savior of all Christians. O sweet and saving name of Jesus, healing every sickness, enlightening the mind, igniting the heart, driving away sorrow, calming anger, granting peace and harmony, nourishing love, and bringing joy in tribulation. This most beloved name has been brought down from heaven by an angel to the earth. This was proclaimed throughout the whole world by the apostles. For this, the martyrs suffered. The confessors taught this with a clear voice. The holy virgins loved this ardently. This is praised and sung by the elders along with the youth, and thousands upon thousands of the faithful have chosen to endure death rather than deny the sweet name of Jesus. Now kings and princes worship this saving name. This is what the priests and teachers proclaim. All the faithful of Christ uniquely honor and love this name, renouncing the world and the devil, trusting in the name of Jesus to be saved. Jesus is indeed the salvation and protection of all His own, in whom faith and love endure in their hearts. Sweetest Jesus, my unique Savior, write Your blessed name in my heart, not in letters, but in spirit, so that it may be there and remain forever, deeply impressed, so that nothing prosperous or adverse may change my love for You. Be my fortress of strength against the enemy, my comfort in tribulation, my counselor in doubts, my liberator from distress, my support in difficulties, my guide in conduct, my rescuer from errors, and my faithful leader to the heavenly homeland through all the dangers of temptation.
Read the original Latin
Benedico et gratias ago tibi, Domine lesu Christe, pro novi, salutiferi adorandique nominis tui impositione, quod vocatum est lesus.
Hoc primum annuntiatum fuit ab angelo in auribus beatae Mariae virginis; postea sancto loseph revelatur in somnis; sed hodierna die impositum est tibi a parentibus.
O dulcissimum lesu nomen super omne nomen in caelo et in terra benedictum.
Secundum nomen tuum, lesu, sic et laus tua in fines terrae.
A solis ortu usque ad occasum laudabile nomen tuum ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum dignissimezs glorificandum.
Hoc sanctissimum et venerabile nomen ab aeterno tibi a patre appropriatum est, sed in tempore hominibus manifestatum.
Non enim est aliud nomen sub caelo hominibus datum, in quo oporteat nos salvos fieri. lure ergo tibi flectatur omne genu caelestium, terrestrium et infernorum; et omnis lingua confiteatur, quia tu es lesus Christus, salus et redemptio nostra.
O dulcissime lesu, quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra!
Magnificatum est siquidem nomen tuum super nomen Salomonis et super omnes reges, qui ante eum fuerunt, et qui post eum regnaturi sunt.
Ideo adorabunt te omnes reges terrae; et omnes tribus et linguae isservient tibi, quia tu es Dominus Deus noster, rex et salvator omnium Christianorum.
O suave et salutiferum nomen lesu omnem sanans languorem, mentem illuminans, corda accendens, tristitiam fugans, iram mitigans, pacem et concordiam praebens, caritatem nutriens et gaudium in tribulatione efficiens.
Hoc summe amabile nomen de caelo ab angelo delatum est in terras.
Hoc evangelizatum est per universum orbem ab apostolis.
Pro hoc passi sunt martyres.
Hoc clara voce docuerunt confessores.
Hoc ardenter amaverunt sacrae virgines.
Hoc laudant et canunt senes cum iunioribus, et mille milia fidelium elegerunt potius mortem subire, quam mellifluum nomen lesu negare.
Hoc salutare nomen nunc adorant reges et principes.
Hoc praedicant sacerdotes et doctores.
Hoc singulariter venerantur et diligunt cuncti Christi fideles, qui mundo et diabolo renuntiantes in lesu nomine se sperant esse salvandos.
Est enim lesus omnium suorum salus et protectio, in quorum mentibus perseverat fides et dilectio. dulcissime lesu, unice salutaris meus, scribe benedictum nomen tuum in corde meo, non litera, sed spiritu, ut ibi sit et maneat in aetemum tam fortitens impressum, quod nulla prospera vel adversa a tua me mutent dilectione.
Esto tu mihi turris fortitudinis a facie inimici, consolator in tribulatione, consiliator in dubiis, liberator ab angustiis, sublevator in casibus, instructor in moribus, revocator ab erroribus et ad caelestem patriam per tot temptationum pericula ductor fidelissimus.
Prayers and Meditations on the Life of Christ companion
à Kempis wrote 86 of these — you've prayed 8
The full cycle, from the creation of man to Pentecost, runs as free daily devotionals in Chosen Portion.
à Kempis structured the work as day-by-day thanksgiving over the whole life of Christ, and Chosen Portion runs that original cycle as a modern daily devotional from creation to Pentecost.
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