Holy Name Society

[cradlecath37]

I recall there being a chapter of the “Holy Name Society” in my home parish in the 1950’s. I don’t see or hear any mention of it anywhere in the present time at all. Is it defunct? If so, why? Do we no longer care how the name of the Lord is written or referred to?
As I recall, even pronouns in reference to Our Lord, The Father and the Holy Spirit were capitalized in print (He, Him, His, Your Thy, Thine, etc.). Not even in Bibles are the Names respected this way any longer. Any help? Comments? Answers?

 

[NHInsider]

Can’t comment on the Holy Name Society as I have no experience/familiarity.

The convention of capitalizing pronouns referring to Jesus is, as far as I know, an American innovation - and you’re right, it does seem to be fading. I tend to veer between capitalizing and not capitalizing in my own writing, and don’t intend any more or less respect either way.

I am uncomfortable with the ways that people use the Name of Jesus as well as terms such as God and Christ as emphatics or expletives these days. I am by no means perfect, but I find myself squirming at times. I haven’t even been able to convince my husband that it’s important, though, so have little hope of persuading the world at large . . .

 

[Eucharisted]

Capitalization was a way of showing respect toward the pronounces of God, to show He is above all things. But it’s not necessary.

 

[bpbasilphx]

If you will look at the Douay/Rheims or King James Bibles, you will see that pronouns referring to God are not capitalized, either.

Nor are they in Latin liturgical books.

Nor in Greek or Slavonic ones.

In Pre-Nikonian Slavonic (don’t ask) only the initial words of sentences are capitalized; proper nouns and even divine names are not if they are not the first word.

And then, some languages, such as ancient Greek, don’t have capitals at all.

 

[rkrispies]

As far as the Holy Name Society is concerned, they are still very much around, and have little to do with ensuring pronouns are capitalized. They are rather a lay & religious spiritual group devoted to the most holy name of Jesus.

nahns.com/

And I was always taught in Catholic school to capitalize, so I do to this day.

Chris

 

[Chatter163]

Of course, the elimination of the feast of the Holy Name in the 1970 missal had much to do with the decline of the Society in many places.

 

[TNKnight]

I also grew up in the '50s and '60s and I recall the Holy Name Society at my church. I did a google search and found the following web site: nahns.com/. I hope that this information will be helpful to you. It appears that the Society is alive and well, but not as visible as it once was. In my opinion, it still should be. And yes, I do capitalize when referring to His holy name.