Are all priests or nuns required to choose for themselves a title?

[Rutherford2]

For example, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is called “Child Jesus or the Little Flower”.

 

[angel12]

Actually, “of the Child Jesus” was part of her name in Carmel,; she later added “and the Holy Face.” “The Little Flower” was not part of it.
It was a very common practice then, but not as much now. There are definitely orders that still do it, though.

 

[BartholomewB]

Different orders have different rules. I have an idea the rules may also vary from one country to another, within the same order, but I’m not sure about that. Carmelites (at least in some countries) change their surnames. For example, a guy called Joe Smith may become Brother Joseph of the Cross. But Franciscans sometimes change their given names, though they keep their surnames.

 

[CTBcin]

Some orders of male and female religious require members to take a religious name, usually the more “traditional-leaning” ones. Many do not anymore.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The name and/or title may not be chosen by the candidate, but may be chosen for them by their superiors. The orders I’m familiar with that don’t use baptismal names have the candidate suggest several possibilities then the superior makes the choice.

 

[Cloisters]

The last part of the name is known as the predicate. “You shall be known by a new name, pronounced from the mouth of the Lord” is in scripture, and is the basis for taking a new name in religious life.

The constitutions of the particular order or even convent will dictate how the community will proceed with this custom. Some communities will allow the religious to choose their own name. Others will permit suggestions, yet others will discern what name to give the newbie. There’s even a Charity congregation that permits the candidates to choose their name before entering.

I know at St. Cecilia in Nashville that the postulants are to hand in three names:

Sr. Mary Hyacinth
Sr. Josephine Jordan Marie
Sr. Maria Rosario Dominica

and the Sisters of Life actually allow (if including a form of Mary) three names instead of two.

The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara always have some form of the name of Mary, so that Our Lady’s name is always being said.

So…it comes back down to the custom of the particular congregation and/or house.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/holyangels/id9.html/

 

[JHFamily]

But Franciscans sometimes change their given names, though they keep their surnames.

Not all Franciscans keep their surnames. The Poor Clares have a name and title as well.

 

[JHFamily]

Having a name with a title is usually restricted to cloistered monasteries. Even in the “good ole days”, active orders would not have a title and retained their last names.

 

[BartholomewB]

I lived for several years in a Carmelite (OCD) parish where all the friars retained their original given names but adopted new surnames. It wasn’t in the United States. As I mentioned earlier, I think the practice can vary from one country to another, even within the same order.