Most Holy Name of Mary

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary or the Christening of Virgin Mary.
Per Christian legend an angel of the Lord appeared to Saint Anne and Saint Joachim separately and announced the conception and birth of the Mary. They were both instructed by the angel to name the child to be born as Mary. Mary was a common name among the Jewish people of the time of Jesus. In a way Mary was from among us and represents us. However as we read in 1 Kings 18:55 where Elijah's servant reports  "There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.”  Mary was Immaculately conceived like the white cloud that rose from the salty waters that represents the humankind that was in sin and error. She who would bear the Son of God who is the living waters that would come as the pure rain from the cloud to satisfy the thirst of mankind for liberation from slavery to sin and error. 
Richard of St. Laurence states "there is not such powerful help in any name, nor is there any other name given to men, after that of Jesus, from which so much salvation is poured forth upon men as from the name of Mary." He continues, "that the devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next." After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness. Hence Richard of St. Laurence encourages sinners to have recourse to this great name, "because it alone will suffice to cure them of all their evils;" and "there is no disorder, however malignant, that does not immediately yield to the power of the name of Mary." 
Taken From "The Holy Name of Mary - The Power of Her Name" By Saint Alphonsus de Liguori 
The Holy Name of Mary gives us healing, courage, hope and strength for the past, present and future. We can have surety of her assistance during our earthly pilgrimage, for she never ceases to intercede for our needs both spiritual and material. 
Holy Mary, pray for us sinners!