Confirmation Name

[ahunt01]

Hi all,

I’m new to the faith, and currently going through RCIA. I heard something about selecting a confirmation saint. Can someone tell me more about this, and how I should decide?

Thanks!

 

[Wesrock]

In a way, it’s kind of like picking a patron saint. Invoking someone in particular to pray for you. Some people read up on the lives of the saints and choose one they find particularly admirable or someone they have an affinity for. Other people may have certain struggles or causes and wish to find a saint interested in that same cause. Still others may pick the name of a beloved family member (who is named after a saint).

A good starting point would simply be to read up on some saints.

The Church views itself as ONE community of believers comprised of those in Heaven and those on Earth. Saints are our older brothers and sisters in Christ now at rest and in the immediate company of God and Christ. Choosing a confirmation name is like choosing a particular older sibling to pray for you.

 

[ahunt01]

I hadn’t thought of it in that way before. Thanks, that makes sense!

 

[dje101]

Hi all,

I’m new to the faith, and currently going through RCIA. I heard something about selecting a confirmation saint. Can someone tell me more about this, and how I should decide?

Thanks!

Basically, picking a patron saint for yourself. I was told to find a saint that I admired or aspired to be like.

 

[PJM]

Hi all,

I’m new to the faith, and currently going through RCIA. I heard something about selecting a confirmation saint. Can someone tell me more about this, and how I should decide?

Thanks!

SURE
First welcome to CAF!

Here is an easy to use site to check out:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/stindex.php?lst=B

Its a directory of Saints and a bit about each of them.

We Catholics are united with the “Communion of Saints”; which include the following:

1. All the Known Saints in heaven
2. All the souls in Purgatory {en-route to heaven}
3. All Christian here on earth striving to attain heaven

So this practice stems from that reality.

There is a lot of ROOM for personal choice in the selection of the name.

The Saint you choose is a personal choice based on any or a combination of these factors:

The name of someone you love or greatly admire

A Saint who you have something in common with

A Saint who inspires you to grow closer to God

Or even none of the above, although the 3 options are the best route for your spiritual welfare.

“Saints” [capitol “S”] are those that the church have affirmed and confirmed as being in heaven. GOOGLE “the canonization of saints” to gain an fuller understanding of the process involved

Again welcome to CAF and come on HOME:thumbsup:.

Pray much, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in this quest.

God Bless you
Patrick

 

[Usige]

A couple things to be aware of:

1st - If your RCIA leader has not mentioned picking a confirmation saint, do not feel cheated if you are not asked to. It is a pious tradition, but not all parishes do so. You can still choose a saint for devotion, but just don’t want you to think you are cheated out of something if your parish does not follow this tradition.

2nd - Don’t feel like you have to stress about making a decision that will follow you the rest of your life. What I mean is that it is not an irrevocable decision if you find a year or two down the road that you don’t feel a connection to your chosen saint. We all go through different seasons in life and sometimes a different saint is more beneficial for our spiritual growth.

3rd - You can always have devotion to multiple saints even if they are not your patron or confirmation saint.

Remember that the purpose of saintly devotion is your own growth and perfection in Christ. Devotion to different saints can help us in different ways.

 

[ahunt01]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I’m excited to dig into the Saints! This will be fun

Thanks again!