Confirmation Name & Patron Saint

[Shin]

Michaela? That would be the feminine of it.

On the other hand it is worth looking into female saints and St. Michael, the journey is part of the reward.

 

[Jade_Tiger]

I wanted to pick Sophia for my confirmation name, but it turned out that the bishop forbids it in the area.

 

[aspirant]

I wanted to pick Sophia for my confirmation name, but it turned out that the bishop forbids it in the area.

The bishop forbids choosing a confirmation name? Why?

 

[Vikk]

This information is erroneous in more than one way.

First of all, St. Michael is an angel, and angels are neither male nor female. If people could only be named only after saints of one’s own sex, no human could ever choose the name Michael.

Second, both my confirmation names are from saints of the other sex, and many people do the same when choosing confirmation or religious names. I am acquainted, for example, with a Sister Joseph Andrew.

There is no reason you cannot choose the name Michael or, if you prefer, some variant like Michelle.

Thank you for your responses. At RCIA class this past week I spoke with a different deacon and he confirmed that I could use St. Michael for the exact reason you gave: he is neither male or female. (Something I brought up the first night I was told I couldn’t select him.) I can’t tell you how happy I was when I was told that because it really meant a lot to me to have St. Michael as my patron saint. For me, it’s a way to honor the saint that I’ve felt as helped me all my life.

On the point of female to female, I did press the question again and it seemed as though the deacon really didn’t want to pursue it but did quip that it was coming from Pope Benedict. That leads me to believe that they are holding to that line. So maybe it’s something new? I was sitting next to a fellow male RCIA and he didn’t know about the gender issue and was surprised and unhappy as his first four saints are females, none are angels. So I’m curious to see what transpires there.

That said, it’s apparently a good thing St. Michael is an angel otherwise I’d still be fighting the good fight for his name.

Thanks to all for your encouragement and help during this past week. You wouldn’t think a name would be that big a deal but I read that the saint should be chosen with specification and since I am able to do that, I took it seriously.

 

[JaredR]

I want to choose two patron saints, but the RCIA director told me I can only choose one saint for my confirmation. I am wondering, though, about the fact that I wasn’t given a baptismal name when I was baptized in my Protestant church. Could I take one saint for my baptismal name and one saint for my confirmation name?

 

[Doni]

… I wasn’t given a baptismal name when I was baptized in my Protestant church. Could I take one saint for my baptismal name and one saint for my confirmation name?

I imagine your Baptist pastor probably wouldn’t think of it in terms of a “Baptismal name” the way Catholics do (and don’t concern themselves with any connection to saints’ names). But technically, in that circumstance, your given name is your baptismal name. I was baptized at age 24 in a Southern Baptist church, and the pastor used my given name of Donna – so that means that for me, Donna is my baptismal name.

 

[Doni]

I imagine your Baptist pastor

My apologies – I meant to say “Protestant pastor”

 

[aspirant]

On the point of female to female, I did press the question again and it seemed as though the deacon really didn’t want to pursue it but did quip that it was coming from Pope Benedict.

I’ll believe that when I see concrete evidence.

 

[victoire1834]

I am making my confirmation this year, and I am super excited, however I recently found out that girls can pick Male Saints as their patrons, and vice-versa. I would like to pick St. Paul, because he has always been my man, however I would also like to change my name so that my confirmation name is part of my real name, but my mother won’t let me use a boy’s name as a part of my real name. Would it be okay to have St. Paul as my confirmation saint, but have my name be Paula, or Pauline??? thanks!!!

 

[Shin]

I am making my confirmation this year, and I am super excited, however I recently found out that girls can pick Male Saints as their patrons, and vice-versa. I would like to pick St. Paul, because he has always been my man, however I would also like to change my name so that my confirmation name is part of my real name, but my mother won’t let me use a boy’s name as a part of my real name. Would it be okay to have St. Paul as my confirmation saint, but have my name be Paula, or Pauline??? thanks!!!

Yes, using a feminine version of the name is the right way to do it!

Congratulations in advance! May the saints and angels be with you!

 

[ValerieAnne]

I converted to the catholic faith and went through RCIA but I was never asked to choose a confirmation name. Do only those born as catholics get to choose a confirmation name or was this simply an oversight, do you think? Also, what is the importance of choosing a patron saint & confirmation name? What is the tradition or history behind it?

Peace & blessings,
brea

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=228732

Someone asked why you chose a saint for confirmation.
And its not a patron saint AND a confirmation name. The saint you choose is your new name.
I’m currently going through the confirmation process, so next year, when I get confirmed, my “new name” will be Cecilia (for St. Cecilia)

… just click on the link aha