Choosing a saint for confirmation

[bdjohnbg]

I apologize in advance if I’m a little confused on all of this, but it’s all new to me.

My son is in PSR and was told to choose a saint that he has to write a report about for his confirmation next year. It should be someone that can inspire him.

I’m trying in vain to help him, but I don’t really know anything about any of the saints, and am very overwhelmed when trying to look them up, since there are just so many.

Does anyone here know of a specific saint or several that he and I could research that might be a good inspiration for a 12 year old boy? I really appreciate your help!

 

[1ke]

What are his interests? Hobbies? Aspirations for the future? Are there any particular difficulties he has-- like an illness or what-not? Or a family member?

Some saints inspire particular devotion because of the trials and tribulations they went through or because of their upbringing, vocation, etc.

You can always start with his own name. Is it the name of a saint? If so, research saints with that name.

Next, I would consider biblical saints such as the Apostles.

Next perhaps some of the more famous saints such as Ignatius of Loyola, Francis of Assisi, Benedict, Augustine, etc.

 

[Will_B]

I am a recent convert, received into the church in September 2009.
Our RCIA team encouraged us to pray about a confirmation name.

Two saints came to mind… First, I’m fourth generation Irish and U.S. citizen… So, St. Patrick has always been at the top of my list… I love the way he was able to convert an entire nation of pagans in a 40 year period… He was a working bishop that didn’t mind milking cows and shearing sheep while preaching the Gospel.

Second is St. Michael the Archangel… My life has been saved so many times with the assistance of St. Michael and my own guardian angel.

So, after much prayer, I took the confirmation name of Michael Patrick.
John Paul the Great took on two names, so I followed his lead.

Your son may have been aided or inspired by a Saint to two… Have him pray and be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit (Or maybe the voice of a Saint) Saint Joan of Arch heard the voice of St. Catherine, St. Margaret and St. Michael.

 

[Fisha]

Google your son’s interests and the patron saint for that activity.

Does he like dogs? St Bernard of Menthon is a cool saint. Especially today there are so many homeless people who need hospice.

Or get a book on the Saints and give it to your kid.
His RCIA teacher should be teaching about some saints.
But mainly it is the parents responsibility to bring the child up in the Church.

I would also suggest a book called: YOUCAT
It’s a youth catholic catechism.
God Bless!

 

[Iron_Donkey]

I apologize in advance if I’m a little confused on all of this, but it’s all new to me.

My son is in PSR and was told to choose a saint that he has to write a report about for his confirmation next year. It should be someone that can inspire him.

I’m trying in vain to help him, but I don’t really know anything about any of the saints, and am very overwhelmed when trying to look them up, since there are just so many.

Does anyone here know of a specific saint or several that he and I could research that might be a good inspiration for a 12 year old boy? I really appreciate your help!

I’d suggest starting with a key interest of his, then googling “patron saint of _____”.

For example, I’ve always been a math-science guy and knew I was heading that way, so after a some googling, I turned up Albertus Magnus (who also as the advantage of having a really cool name) and used him.

If he admires or is thinking about going into the military, he could check out Sts Sebastian (shot full of arrows, rescued, then clubbed to death for speaking out again) or Maurice (executed with 6000 fellow soldiers for refusing orders to make sacrifices to the pagan gods).

If he’s interested in politics or law, perhaps St. Thomas Moore (executed for refusing to capitulate to Henry VIII’s attempt at taking over the Church in England).

There are also saints for just about every other field, and also saints that were known for some aspect of their personality: St. Nicholas was a stern man and got angry and punched the heretic Arius in the face during the council of Nicea (not quiet the Santa Clause we know and love). St. Lawrence gave lots of money to charity, and while he was being martyred by being roasted on a grill at one point said “turn me over, I’m done on this side.”

I’d suggest picking a couple key interests or pretty much anything that he strongly identifies with, and google that in conjunction with the word saint. There’s no need to try to be comprehensive, just to find one that clicks.

 

[Joshua_Shorter]

I just went through the process of choosing a confirmation saint for my upcoming Tiber Swim. I knew I wanted to choose a Doctor of the Church. I narrowed it down to St. Athanasius (who helped fight arguments defining the Trinity) and St. Lawerence of Brindisi (who helped bring Protestants back to the Church). It helped that my dad’s name is Larry. My fiance and I want to name our kids after saints and I thought this would be a good way to honor my dad and a way to remember to pray for his conversion.

Like said, I think it is a highly personal decision. Find some things that really matter to him. There is bound to be a saint that speaks to him.