Confirmation Name Question

[Jade_Tiger]

Hi guys,

I was confirmed when I was in Grade 8, some years ago. I had had a confirmation name chosen WELL in advance - I had been looking forward to confirmation when I was much younger . However, when my class was confirmed things went very strangely. The catechesis was appalling, but what was worst to me was that we were forbidden to choose confirmation names. When I begged and pleaded as only an annoying 14-year old can, I was told that “The bishop didn’t want to do it that way” and otherwise ignored.

I still have a great attachment to that saint’s name, and it has been bothering me ever since. I feel like it was stolen from me. Is there anything I can do about it at this point?

P.S. I have not idea who the bishop was- we were confirmed by our pastor (Apparently there was special permission ) and at any rate the person who was in charge of the process for Catholic schools in the area was an auxilliary bishop whose name I never learned.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Confirmation names are optional, not required, and are used in some areas but not in others. If your bishop doesn’t use them then they’re not used.

If you like a particular saint, that’s great. He or she can be your friend, guide, example, and inspiration. That’s true whether you are receiving a sacrament or not. I figure that we can’t have too many friends in heaven.

 

[Bonnie]

I figure that we can’t have too many friends in heaven.

Amen to that!

Jade Tiger - I also was discouraged from taking a confirmation name, but I was in my 20s. I argued with the priest and - wonder of wonders - won the argument. However, some years later I found out that there was a great deal of doubt whether the saint I chose even existed. Fast forward a bunch of years - as a disorganized older mom I needed all the help I could get, so I chose St. Martha as my “alternate” patron saint. She’s been with me thru thick & thin for over 20 years now. Can’t say I’ve been her most apt pupil, but I shudder to think what family life would have been like if I hadn’t been asking for her prayers.

You can’t call “your” saint your confirmation saint, but he (or she) is still your special saint.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Use the name anyway if you want. If your birth certificate name is Andrew Jackson Smith, you can call yourself Andrew Xavier Smith as long as there is no attempt to commit fraud, run out on debts, etc…

 

[Tampa_Dave]

I chose Thomas Aquinas as my Confirmation namesake. In all honesty, I’ve become a greater follower of Saints Paul, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross over time. I do need to hit the Catholic bookstore and re-read Aquinas once more.

 

[CatholicRaven]

I agree with what SuscipeMeDomine said. That saint can still be your patron saint (or one of your patron saints). You can still pray to them and seek their guidance and prayer.

 

[Claire_Lily]

I had decided on Therese for my confirmation name. When the priest said a confirmation name would not be required, he also told me that I already had the best name - Mary.