Why Do You Choose A Saint For Confirmation

Why Do Catholics Choose Confirmation Saints?

As we go through the process of sacramental preparation for Confirmation, Confirmation saints are selected to represent someone we aspire to be like, as well as someone who can pray for us from the other side of the universe. When someone is declared a saint by the Church through the process of canonization, the Church is proclaiming that this member of the faithful lived a life of heroic virtue during their time on earth, and “the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors,” as stated in the Catechism (CCC 828).

It’s the same as aspiring to be like a famous actor, singer, or athlete; a confirmation saint is someone who we want to be like because he or she is cool.

What many people are unaware of is that inside our Church, there are wonderful individuals to look up to and emulate, and that we should strive to be like them as well.

Saint Agnes was murdered when she was a teenager in the early fourth century because she refused to abandon her Christian religion.

His direct touch with the sickness resulted in his death shortly afterwards.

Because, as St.

These witnesses are the saints who ceaselessly pray for us (CCC 956); when we choose a confirmation saint, we are choosing a special companion who will intercede for us in heaven and after whom we might model our lives while we are still on this planet (CCC 956).

What’s In a Name? Choosing a Confirmation Name

Spring is a very busy time in the Catholic Church; not only is it the season in which we celebrate Easter, but it is also the season in which the sacraments of Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation are traditionally received by those who are baptized in the Catholic faith. Those who are getting Confirmation have gone through several months of teaching, thought, and prayer before receiving the blessing.

It is part of the procedure that applicants choose a saint name, which will serve as their confirmation name, which they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It is the bishop’s responsibility to confirm them with their chosen saint name the day they receive the Sacrament.

​What is the Purpose of a Confirmation Name?

Spring is a very busy time in the Catholic Church; not only is it the season in which we celebrate Easter, but it is also the season in which the sacraments of Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation are traditionally received by those who are seeking them. A lengthy period of education, thought, and prayer has preceded the celebration of Confirmation. The applicants are invited to choose a saint name, which will serve as their confirmation name, and to keep it with them for the rest of their lives.

​Choosing a Saint Confirmation Name

How can I pick from the thousands of saints who exist? Consider the following factors to assist you in narrowing down your options to the one saint who is your perfect match:

Pick up a book on saints

Invest in a good book on saints and learn about the lives of well-known saints who made a significant contribution to the Church. When you consider the struggles and sufferings that the saints went through, as well as their successes and instances of faith, they may serve as a tremendous source of inspiration for your own life.

​Hobbies and Causes

Do you have a love for a particular activity or a great cause that you are dedicated to? You should look for a saint who has aims and interests that are comparable to yours. There is a patron saint for almost every cause under the sun. Think about giving your child the middle name Francis, if you have a strong affinity to animals in general (after the great animal lover St. Francis of Assisi). The life of St. Maximilian Kolbei, who lived an exemplary life of selflessness, is a wonderful model for anybody seeking such a saint.

If music is your passion, you might be interested in learning more about St.

​Maybe a virtue like Bravery or Courage?

Determine whatever virtue a specific saint demonstrated that you identify with – bravery, obedience, charity, patience, or courage — and write about it in your journal. Do you find yourself advocating for folks who are in need of a little assistance? Perhaps Saint Michael should be your choice! Do you have a good understanding of good bedside manner? Your catholic saint name would very certainly be Agatha!

​Need Help? Pray!

If you’ve narrowed down your options and are still stuck and unable to make a decision, pray! Inquire of God about the finest possible name for you, and ask Him to reveal it to you.

​God Given Saint Name

It is permissible to use your baptismal name as your Confirmation name if your first name (baptismal name) is the name of a saint, according to the Church. It is indeed advised to do so since it serves as a symbolic reminder of your baptism. You should pray in honor of the saint whose name you will be using as your Confirmation name before you receive the sacrament. Inviting this saint to aid you in making moral decisions and to act as your intercessor before God whenever you need assistance is a good way to get started.

Don’t forget about your namesake once you’ve received the sacrament of confirmation! Remember to seek his or her protection and advice as long as you need to.

​Visual Reminders

​Set up visual reminders of your saintly namesake across your house, business, or in your automobile. Prayer cards, statues, books, and jewelry featuring your patron saint will assist you in staying connected and building a stronger bond with him or her. Please share with us the story behind your own confirmation name and the criteria you used to make your decision.

Why do some Catholics pick Confirmation names?

Traditionally, in the United States, the celebration of Confirmation is accompanied by the selection of a “Confirmation name.” This has been a widespread tradition during the past century, although it is still only practiced in a few selected nations. As early as the first few centuries of the Christian faith, Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist were always celebrated together as a rite of introduction into the Christian faith. This meant that when someone converted to Christianity, they got all three sacraments, whether they were adults, children, or newborns.

Getting a new name at Baptism is documented as far back as the 3rd and 4th centuries, according to historical data.

Take, for example, the names Abram and Saul, who were both changed to “Abraham.” Eventually the sacrament of Confirmation was separated from Baptism in the Western Church and started to be celebrated in many dioceses when the child was older.

In the words of the Catholic Encyclopedia, “the practice of adopting a new name at confirmation was remembered in England after the Reformation, for Sir Edward Coke declares that a man may validly purchase land by his confirmation name, and he recalls the case of a Sir Francis Gawdye, late Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, whose name of baptism was Thomas and his name of confirmation Francis.” Choosing a Confirmation name has been increasingly popular over the past several decades, with the majority of names being related with the name of a Christian saint.

This is intended to provide young people with an opportunity to learn about the life of a saint and to seek to live their lives in accordance with their example.

The individual’s baptismal name is used instead of their given name at the time of Confirmation.

Even though it is not required, it is a lovely sacrament that can be accompanied with a new name, which is a relatively new habit in the Catholic Church and is not a necessary.

Continue reading:16 Outstanding Confirmation Names for Today’s Teen Boys. Continue reading:14 Inspiring Confirmation Names for Modern-Day Teen Girls

Choosing a Confirmation Name

So you’re preparing for Confirmation, and in addition to getting your head around everything that the Sacrament entails — which is the most important part and should receive the majority of your attention — you’ll probably have to think about what you’ll call yourself when you receive your Confirmation name. If you’re anything like me, you’re thinking, “Wow, this is a fantastic and exciting development!” I’ve always been fascinated by names, and because I grew up before the internet era, when there were no online handles or email accounts, my Confirmation was the first time I was given the opportunity to pick a name for myself.

• It was one of my favorite things to read when I was younger, and I had a baby name book when I was a teenager.
• Spend some time now thinking about what name you want to give your religion, something that will remind you of the spiritual assistance you receive no matter what life throws at you.
• “Do not be afraid, because I have rescued you; I have called you by your name: you are mine,” God Himself declared (Isaiah 43:1).
• (John 1:42).
• It is an opportunity to choose a name that has unique meaning for you, and that will assist you in your spiritual path, while selecting a Confirmation name for yourself.
• Finding an unusual connection with someone in Heaven is really significant!

When I inquired of the bishop of my diocese (the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York), he responded with this pearl of wisdom: “Do NOT select a name only because the person is renowned or famous or because the name sounds good.” The name you pick will be with you for the rest of your life!

It’s not just about a name you like; it’s about a person whose entire life exemplifies what it is to be a loyal buddy of Jesus.” Bishop Edward Scharfenberger is a religious leader in the United States.

Your priest and bishop, I’m sure, would agree with him completely! In addition, various dioceses may have different customs, such as:

• When preparing for Confirmation, in addition to getting your head around what the Sacrament entails—which is the most essential component, and to which you should devote the most of your time—you will very certainly have to think about what you want to be called during the ceremony. For those of you who are like me, this is a wonderful and exciting development. I’ve always had a thing with names, and because I grew up before the internet era, when there were no online handles or email accounts, my Confirmation was the first time I had the opportunity to pick a name only for myself. It took me weeks to go through a book of saints’ names for infants I had, searching for the one that spoke to me. It was one of my favorite things to read when I was younger, and I had a baby name book at the time. For those of you who have already had plenty of opportunities to come up with names that feel like the most *you* version of yourself (sftbll4eva
• 2kool4skool
• Student53, etc.), it may still be a wonderful and thrilling experience for you. Spend some time now thinking about what name you want to give your religion, something that will remind you of the spiritual assistance you’ve received no matter what life throws at us. In our religious tradition, names have always played a significant role. “Do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you
• I have called you by your name: you are mine,” God Himself declared in response (Isaiah 43:1). A new name has frequently been associated with a deeper relationship with God, as in the cases of Abram becoming Abraham (Genesis 17:5), Jacob becoming Israel (Genesis 35:10), and Simon becoming Peter (Acts 2:42-47). (John 1:42). The adoption of a new name by priests and religious when they enter the monastic life is not unusual, and Popes are no exception—the choice of Francis by our current Holy Father conveyed a strong statement about the sort of Pope he would be. It is an opportunity to choose a name that has particular meaning for you, and that will aid you in your spiritual path, while selecting a Confirmation name for yourself. Choose the name of a saint and ask him or her to pray for you in a special way by picking that particular saint’s name. Finding an unusual connection with someone in Heaven is an exciting prospect to consider! However, despite the widespread use of Confirmation names, there are no official Vatican regulations governing them, therefore it is vital to seek counsel from your local Church authorities. In response to my question, the bishop of my diocese (the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY) shared this pearl of wisdom: “DO NOT select a name just because the person is renowned or famous, nor because the name sounds nice. ” A person’s given name is theirs for a lifetime. Therefore, it should be named after someone whose Christian life of virtue, generosity, and holiness you much like, preferable a saint or someone who has been blessed with special blessings. The issue isn’t just about picking a name you like
• It’s about finding a person who’s entire life demonstrates what it means to be a loyal buddy of Jesus.” Bishop Edward Scharfenberger is a Catholic priest who lives in the United States of America. And I’m confident that your priest and bishop share his sentiments! Furthermore, various dioceses may have their own traditions, such as the following:

Making sure you understand the norms of your diocese is critical; thus, contact your priest, instructor, or Director of Religious Education for clarification before you begin. Important to remember is that Confirmation names are not required; it is absolutely okay for you to be confirmed using your own name, which is the one with which you were baptized, if that is your preference. All of that being stated, if you are able to pick a Confirmation name and would like to do so, the following resources may be helpful: Catholic Nicknames That Are Different (for those with more adventurous taste) The Most Holy Name of the Virgin Mary (so many beautiful ways to honor Our Lady) Let’s Talk About How to Pronounce Things (Kateri, Therese, Zelie, Xavier, Gianna) CatholicSaints.Info is a website dedicated to Catholic saints (search by name or patronage) Saint’s Name Generator (in certain cases, the saint chooses your name!) Finally, the most crucial component of choosing a Confirmation name is to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your choice.

It is my goal that you will appreciate discovering the many ways in which your given name may help you grow closer to God, whether you choose to keep your given name or pick a new one.

If so, how did you come to make your decision?

Katherine Morna Towne is the only owner of the photographs.

About the Author

Kate is a writer, the wife of a wonderful guy, and the mother of seven sons ranging in age from one to fifteen. Her debut book,Catholic Baby Names for Girls and Boys: Over 250 Ways to Honor Our Lady (Marian Press, 2018), may be purchased at ShopMercy.organdAmazon. She also blogs atSancta Nomina, where she discusses her opinions on Catholic baby naming.

Choosing a Confirmation Name "Saint"

The Holy Spirit has helped Christians throughout history to conduct their lives in the manner of Jesus and thereby become saints. We are all called to be saints in some way or another. Saints are saintly individuals who made a sincere effort to follow Jesus with all of their hearts. We can all relate to the saints because they were regular Christians, just like us. They placed their trust in the Spirit and followed where the Spirit directed them. Saints have included both men and women, as well as children.

1. Saints have come from all over the world, from all ages, and from all areas of life to join the Church.
2. Because they demonstrate to us how we might follow Jesus with all of our hearts, we Catholics commemorate and celebrate the saints on November 1.
3. Keep your current Baptismal name as long as possible (your regular first or middle name).
4. It is preferable to use your baptismal name for Confirmation because it draws attention to the connection between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, which is important.
5. Through prayer and imitation, you should pay homage to this saint.
6. Choose a saint’s name that represents a new beginning in your faith life as well as a relationship with that particular saint.
7. Your commitment would be reflected by the adoption of a new name, which would indicate that you are, in some respects, a new person altogether.
8. The saint’s name you choose should symbolize the direction you believe your faith life is heading in, or it should represent a strength or trait that you believe you are lacking in your religious life.
9. If you want to change your name, you shouldn’t do it only because you enjoy the sound of the name, how it matches with your other names, or because it is the name of a wonderful friend or family.

Through prayer and imitation, you should pay homage to this saint. When preparing your report, be sure to take into consideration the following points:

• If your saint had a given name that was different from his or her’saint’ name, please tell us what it was. During which century did your saint reside? (Please specify specific dates if possible)
• How about the place and nation where your saint resided
• I’d want to know what your saint was doing. When is the feast day of your patron saint celebrated by the Catholic Church? When it comes to your saint, who is the patron saint of you? Describe how your saint lived his/her life, how he/she followed Christ, and how he/she made decisions to obey God’s will, even when doing so was controversial. What was the saint’s relationship to Jesus like
• How did the saint demonstrate compassion for people or provide assistance to them throughout his or her life? When it comes to the Church, what was your saint’s major contribution during his or her lifetime? Provide a brief description of at least one virtue exhibited by your saint’s life. Give an example of your saint’s life that exemplifies this virtue. What made you chose this particular saint

It is recommended that you enter your report into a WORD document first because you will not be able to save and return to it here. Complete the form below and click “Submit” to send your completed report straight to Gracie Lopez, who will get it as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you may reach out to Gracie Lopez at [email protected] Thank you.

Year 1 – Due April 24, 2022Year 2 – Due January 30, 2022

The amazing showering of flowers, trusting childlikeness, and the “Little Way” she used to create holy moments out of the commonplace, I believe, captivated me. Julia Mastropaolo is a writer and poet. For the record, St. Therese of Lisieux, often known as the Little Flower, was the saint I meant to choose during my whole youth. I believe I was captivated by her amazing showering of flowers, her trusting childlikeness, and her “Little Way,” which created holy moments out of commonplace circumstances.

I understood her longing for her elder sisters and sympathized with her.

With that stated, I changed my mind at the last minute out of an unexplained, teenage urge to choose a saint that no one else would choose, and I chose St.

Another magnificent saint has been chosen by God according to His perfect plan, but this one was chosen because I wanted to stand out rather than be average!

– Julia Mastropaolo, Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Plymouth

The simplicity and humility of her character, as well as her readiness to serve as God’s handmaid, impressed me. Fr. Felicity Marie Madigan (CSSF) ‘I named Mary after the Blessed Virgin Mary since she is an example of faith and spiritual mother to me,’ says the author. During my childhood, my parents instilled in me the importance of Mary and her position as the Mother of her Son, Jesus, and as the Mother of the Church. Her simplicity, humility, and most significantly, her willingness to serve as God’s handmaid, were all qualities I appreciated in her.

As a sister in the community, I am pleased to have the name “Marie” associated with my religious designation.

– Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan, CSSF

Being of Korean origin, I figured that having a Korean saint as my Confirmation saint would be a nice way to demonstrate my background. Adam Morency is the author of this piece. Saint Andrew Kim Taegon was my confirmation Saint, and he was chosen by me. I was born on May 2nd, 1991 in Seoul, South Korea, and on August 9th, 1991, I officially arrived in Dearborn, Michigan, which is known as “Gotcha Day” or “Adoption Day.” I was born in Seoul, South Korea, and I officially arrived in Dearborn, Michigan, which is known as “Gotcha Day” or “Adoption Day.” At St.

The following day, I returned home from school and, with the assistance of my parents, we sat down together to research Korean saints on the internet.

Andrew Kim Taegon, who was the first native Korean priest and the son of Christian converts.

Having ancestors of Korean ethnicity, I believed that having a Korean saint as my Confirmation saint would be a fitting way to honor my history.

The fact that Pope John Paul II, now Saint Pope John Paul II, canonized 98 Koreans and three French Missionaries who were martyred between the years 1839 and 1867 when he visited Korea in 1984 piqued my interest as well.

– Adam Morency, St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Dearborn, MI

“Even Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, may become Pope: great is the mercy of God toward people who repent of their sins!” Fr. Phil Ching is a Catholic priest who lives in New York City. “I picked St. Peter as my Confirmation saint because he exemplifies both what we are capable of when we dedicate ourselves to God’s grace and how far we may fall if we do not surrender ourselves to God’s mercy. St. Peter, despite his categorical denial of knowing Jesus, serves as a constant reminder to me that Jesus would not turn away a soul who comes to Him with a contrite and sorry heart.

– Fr. Phil Ching, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Monroe

“There is much for everyone of us to learn from Saint Matthias and his bravery to believe in God’s plan when there is uncertainty on the path ahead.” Shane Gessner is a writer and musician. “Choosing a confirmation Saint is a far more significant decision than many people think,” says the author. You want to choose someone with whom you have a strong connection and who has interests that are comparable to yours. My research led me to Saint Matthias, who is credited with replacing Judas of Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus Christ.

We all have a strong desire and urge to feel like we belong somewhere.

I chose Saint Matthias as my confirmation saint because I admired how he was such a great role model and demonstrated courage when he was called upon to stand up and take the place of Judas, regardless of whether he felt he was a part of the group and welcomed or rejected.

We may all learn from Saint Matthias and his bravery to put our faith in God’s plan even when the road ahead appears to be uncertain.”

– Shane Gessner, St. Charles Borromeo, Newport

“Because of her youth, she made the idea of becoming a saint more approachable and feasible.” Jessica Edwards is the author of this piece. “I grew up in a conventional Catholic home, and my mother would constantly have the EWTN channel playing in the background. EWTN broadcasted a documentary about St. Maria Goretti when I was eleven years old. I was fascinated by this little girl and keen to learn how someone my own age might become a saint. Saint Goretti was stabbed numerous times, according to the documentary, for standing up for her religious purity.

• Several days after her death, she appeared to Alessandro in a dream and presented him with a bouquet of lilies.
• I had the distinct impression that God was speaking to me via Maria’s tale.
• I was moved to tears by her devotion to God and her willingness to forgive from that point forward.
• When it came time to choose a confirmation saint, I knew exactly who I wanted to choose.

Maria Goretti, please! Because of her youth, she made the idea of becoming a saint more relevant and feasible. And it is for this reason that I have chosen her to be my guide on this life’s journey. Please, St. Maria Goretti, intercede for us.”

– Jessica Edwards, St. Charles Borromeo, Detroit

“The name Thomas has also played an important role in my life since three excellent guys who are very dear to me, my grandfather, my uncle, and my father, all have the same middle name, Thomas,” says the author. – Kalven Plewa (Kalven Plewa is a slang term for Kalven Plewa). “After many Tuesdays and Sundays of catechism, I was only a few weeks away from being released from my post-mass detention center,” I recall. Of course, there remained one more step to fulfill my job, and that was to obtain a confirmation name.

Thomas was known as the ‘Doubting Apostle’ after his famous conversation with Jesus in which he begs Jesus to prove himself to be the genuine Christ when he comes to earth.

I’ve enjoyed this story since I was a child, and I’ve always appreciated Thomas’s point of view, despite the fact that many others regarded him as lacking faith in Jesus.

The name Thomas has also played an important part in my life since three amazing guys who are very dear to me, my grandfather, my uncle, and my father, all share the same middle name, Thomas, and therefore have played an important role in my life.

– Kalven Plewa, Our lady Star of the Sea Parish, Grosse Pointe Woods

This item was published under the category Disciples.

Choosing a Confirmation Saint – Why Do We Still Do It?

The month of November is the month in which the Church commemorates All Saints’ Day. A holiday dedicated to remembering all of the holy men and women who have gone before us and who have been marked with the sign of faith. They led such great lives of virtue that the Catholic Church can only recognize them with the titles Saint or Blessed. It is also the time of year when youth ministers who are in charge of Confirmation get queries about choosing a Saint for Confirmation, as well as the period when the obligatory Confirmation Saint Paper is due.

• Is it simply an outmoded tradition that has little or no significance in the lives of today’s teenagers?
• Paul.
• notWEREsurrounded.
• Saints are there to pray for us as we travel through life and to assist us in our efforts to come closer to God.

Each Saint models holiness for us

The lives of each Saint serve as examples of how to live holy lives in a practical, everyday setting. Not every Saint achieved remarkable things, but as St. Theresa of Calcutta stated, you do modest things with enormous love, and this is what makes you a Saint.

At the moment, it appears like everyone in our world is aspiring to fame, notoriety, and money, or to be the newest person to be trending on Twitter. The Saints demonstrate to teenagers that it is acceptable to be who you are, just as God created you to be.

Each Saint dealt with personal failings just like us

Teens live in a society where they are constantly confronted with sin and its ramifications. Many of them are from divorced or separated families. Some teenagers suffer with the sins associated with drug addiction or pornographic material, for example. Each Saint had to cope with his or her own personal flaws and sins as well. Three times, St. Peter refused to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. St. Paul persecuted Christians and stood by and watched as they stoned St. Stephen to death in the name of Christ.

Augustine had an affair with another woman, causing his mother, St.

They teach us that no matter what we have done, no matter how bad things have become, we may always turn to our Heavenly Father for the love, forgiveness, and peace that we desire.

Each Saint lived in a particular time and place in history.

For teenagers, obtaining information about the process of selecting a Confirmation Saint can serve as a wonderful history lesson. In order for them to better understand the Saint that they choose, have them conduct some preliminary research into the significant historical events that occurred during their lifetime. Suppose a teen chooses St. Maximillian Kolbe as their saint. Instruct them to conduct some preliminary research into what was going on during the dreadful years of World War II and the Holocaust.

Elizabeth Seton to conduct some preliminary research into what life was like in Maryland for Catholic converts like her during the early days of our country’s history.

and that may very well be the most important lesson of them all!