Confirmation and a Patron Saint?

[Mist]

So I started attending Mass (rather sporadically throughout the week). I go with my very close friend. I have recently discovered that one should not receive the Eucharist if one is not confirmed. The first time I received the Eucharist is when I was at my Grandmothers Funeral.

As I was looking up on the details of confirmation, I stumble upon ones need to have a Patron Saint and name chosen for the Confirmation. I have to be honest the only Patron saints I know of are just Saint Christopher, Saint Patrick, Saint George, Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Saint Joan (of Arc). I am required to have an understanding of the Saint in question and a sort of connection. Now, in all honesty the people I admire most in my life (besides the standard “Mom and Dad” answer) are soldiers, warriors and those that defend and give their lives for others. I don’t want to make picking a Saint as if it is like choosing the cutest kitten or some cheap material item that will it’s allure in a week. This all leads me to my point/question. Should I not just choose Saint Joan not only for being (one of a few) Patron Saint of Soldiers/Warriors but for her virginity and steadfastness towards her mission.

Also I heard one must have a similar(ish) life as the Saint in Question. Let’s face it, next to no one will have a life matching a Saint. Maybe a few points but that is it.

Well anyways thank you for any insight and aid. I am off to pray for guidance, thank you for your time. God bless you all

 

[Elizium23]

That is not true. Baptism (and a state of grace) is the only prerequisite for receiving Holy Communion. Confirmation completes the initiation of baptism but it is definitely not required for reception of Communion.

And a patron saint is not required for Confirmation. That is merely a pious practice by many, it is not part of the rite. But you are, of course, more than welcome to choose a patron saint. I chose Katherine of Alexandria as mine.

 

[TheQuestioner]

So I started attending Mass (rather sporadically throughout the week). I go with my very close friend. I have recently discovered that one should not receive the Eucharist if one is not confirmed. The first time I received the Eucharist is when I was at my Grandmothers Funeral.

I’ve never heard of that rule. One must be baptized and have a full understanding of the Eucharist in order to take it. If confirmation was a requirement then no Catholic student in school would receive one till grade 8.

As I was looking up on the details of confirmation, I stumble upon ones need to have a Patron Saint and name chosen for the Confirmation. I have to be honest the only Patron saints I know of are just Saint Christopher, Saint Patrick, Saint George, Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Saint Joan (of Arc). I am required to have an understanding of the Saint in question and a sort of connection. Now, in all honesty the people I admire most in my life (besides the standard “Mom and Dad” answer) are soldiers, warriors and those that defend and give their lives for others. I don’t want to make picking a Saint as if it is like choosing the cutest kitten or some cheap material item that will it’s allure in a week. This all leads me to my point/question. Should I not just choose Saint Joan not only for being (one of a few) Patron Saint of Soldiers/Warriors but for her virginity and steadfastness towards her mission.

Also I heard one must have a similar(ish) life as the Saint in Question. Let’s face it, next to no one will have a life matching a Saint. Maybe a few points but that is it.

Well anyways thank you for any insight and aid. I am off to pray for guidance, thank you for your time. God bless you all

There is not need to pick a patron Saint, though it is good to do so. (this is a common misconception). Also, you don’t have to have a similar life to this Saint, only identify with him/her. For example, someone can choose St. Michael the Archangel as a patron Saint, but no one can have a similar life to an angel though one could especially admire one. If you like the military, St. Joan (you know about her), St. Michael the Archangel (defeated the devil at the beginning of time), St. Martin (was once a Roman Soldier known for his generosity), St. Morris (executed because he refused to fight against Christians) and St. George (patron Saint of England and associated with slaying a dragon, though this is a myth and is symbolic, learn more about him), St. Sebastian (was executed twice because the first time he lived through it) as well as St. James (if you are of Spanish persuasion) are all good saints. At the end of the day it is up to you to choose the saint you most identify with.

 

[JohnDamian]

So I started attending Mass (rather sporadically throughout the week). I go with my very close friend. I have recently discovered that one should not receive the Eucharist if one is not confirmed. The first time I received the Eucharist is when I was at my Grandmothers Funeral.

You do not have to be confirmed to recieve the Eucharist, however you should make sure you are in a state of grace (confession).

Also I heard one must have a similar(ish) life as the Saint in Question. Let’s face it, next to no one will have a life matching a Saint. Maybe a few points but that is it.

Any Saint, Blessed or Biblical Figure is fine for taking as a confirmation name, it is a common misconception that it must be a “patron saint”, it just has to be a patron. This might extend the available choices for you.

No one has to choose a confirmation name, althought it is encouraged if the individual has an unchristian name (usually for people not from the West).

Furthermore, the Gender or race of the Patron is irrelevant, a man can choose a woman Patron, and a woman a male Patron. So if this widens your choices that might help.

Further-furthermore, why you choose a particular Patron is up to you, although discussing it with your Priest is a good idea, many saint’s (or other patrons) have numbers of different patronages; Joan of Arc for example is known for her chastity as well as her bravery, St Francis is known for his love of the Environment as well as the Poor - etc. etc.

Also - you do not have to have a life similar to the Patron you choose, you only wish to use them as an inspiration and guide - can you imagine if all the people who chose St Paul of Tarsus as their Patron had an early life mirroring his (yikes!). However, you should aim to try and follow your patrons example.