Today is the Feast Day of The Holy Name of Mary
Okay, I am sharing a piece of information with you today that not all women like to divulge…I am 56, born in 1959. In today’s feminine culture, I am at my prime, but I will admit that being on this side of 50 gives one a different perspective on life. Deeper, wiser and more particular about what you want in your life.
Why the information on my age? Because my middle name is Marie, a popular form of Mary. In 1959, 2.62% (or 54,465) of the girls born were named Mary and it’s rank in popularity was number 1. Interestingly enough, there were 169 boys named Mary, in some way shape or form! In 2011, the latest census information available, the rank of the name Mary has fallen to 112th. In absolute numbers, the number of girls given the name Mary at birth has fallen 94 percent since 1961.
There are more than a few reasons for this drop in rank and the truth is the name is still a popular middle name in many of its forms, especially Marie. In Hispanic culture, where faith is still predominantly Roman Catholic, forms of Mary are still popular as a name for girls. Faith inspiring a name…our Roman Catholic sacrament of Confirmation inspires this with the taking of a Confirmation name.
Philip Cohen wrote an insightful and well researched article in the December 2012 issue of The Atlantic magazine about the name Mary.
Bless our Holy Mother Mary! Incorporate her name as a reminder of her glorious work as intercessor to her son, Jesus Christ in your daily prayer.
May your day be blessed.
