The Holy Spirit has enabled Christians of every century to live like Jesus and become saints. We are ALL called to be saints. Saints are holy people who tried to follow Jesus with all their hearts. The saints were ordinary Christians, just like each of us. They relied on the Spirit and followed where the Spirit led. Saints have been men, women, and children. Some were married and some were single; some were members of religious orders and some were laypersons. Saints have come from all parts of the world, from every age and from all walks of life. From heaven, saints continue to watch over and pray for the Church, for all of us. As Catholics, we remember and honor the saints because they show us how we can follow Jesus with all our hearts.
You have two options concerning the choice of a Confirmation name:
You have two options concerning the choice of a Confirmation name:
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1. Stay with your present Baptismal name (your regular first or middle name). If your baptismal name is that of a recognized and canonized saint of the Church, there is no need to select a new name for Confirmation. Using your baptismal name for Confirmation is preferred because it highlights the relationship between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. To stay with your baptismal name would demonstrate that you feel there has been a continual growth in your faith and you now wish to make this formal through Confirmation. You should honor this saint through prayer and imitation.
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2. Pick a saint’s name that would symbolize a new beginning in your faith life and a connection with that particular saint. This would be especially true if you feel that you have not been particularly strong in your faith and are now making a renewed commitment to your faith. Your commitment would be symbolized with the taking of a new name to show that you are, in some ways, now a new person. This new name would be used after your present middle name and before your family name. The particular saint’s name chosen would represent the direction you feel your faith life is taking, or would represent a strength or attribute you feel you need. It is important and necessary to learn something about the saint you choose before you decide on that name. The option of taking a new name is not to be used because you like the sound of the name, how it fits with your other names, or because it is the name of a nice friend or relative. You should honor this saint through prayer and imitation.
Use this great list of Confirmation Saints to choose your Confirmation Name. |