Confirmation names

[Angeluzza]

This really puzzles me.

When nuns and monks enter the religious life, they often get a new name and no longer go by their old name anymore. This makes sense to me, because it is like they are a new person and the old person is gone.

Well, why is it then that when we choose a new name at our confirmation, the new name just disappears and is never actively used? Isn’t the idea of choosing a new name sort of similar to the religious who get new names - to symbolize that you are a new person, an the old person is left behind? (Not sure on this, but this is what I think anyways.)

If so, then why is there not a tradition in the Church where people are called by their new name? It confuses me to no end that we have to pick a new name which means nothing really in the end, because we never use it ever again. At least nuns use their new name If we are going to pick a new name, why not have the tradition that everyone uses it?

Any thoughts? Thanks! :heaven:

 

[Lujack]

Well, I don’t think confirmation represents the total rebirth that entering a convent or a monastery does. Its more of a rite of passage. Our rebirth is at baptism.

A confirmation name isn’t a new identity, its an acknowledgment of a saint you intend to model yourself after. When I took Francis, it was to model myself after Francis Xavier, not to become Francis.

 

[Phemie]

Well, I don’t think confirmation represents the total rebirth that entering a convent or a monastery does. Its more of a rite of passage. Our rebirth is at baptism.

A confirmation name isn’t a new identity, its an acknowledgment of a saint you intend to model yourself after. When I took Francis, it was to model myself after Francis Xavier, not to become Francis.

And really there is nothing in the Rite of Confirmation that calls for us to take a new name. It’s a tradition that has developed in certain dioceses but it’s certainly not a universal practice – neither is the taking of a new name a given for a sister either. Many orders are now using their baptismal names in recognition of their importance.

I’d never heard of a ‘confirmation name’ until I was in my 40s and moved to this province. It’s not something I ever had to do, nor did my children who were confirmed elsewhere. It was brought up when I was teaching a sacramental preparation class in this parish and I must have looked like a dolt because I had no idea what the mom was talking about. In talking it over with the diocesan director of Cathechetics she told me what the mother was asking about and told me we weren’t doing this any more – again in recognition of the importance of the baptismal name. In fact Baptism was so central to the 'Come Join Us at the Table" process that we were using that it wouldn’t have been logical to take another name.

That’s not meant to be a reflection on those who do the research and prepare for this. Just what we do/don’t do in our parish/diocese.

 

[mhuff1]

Well, I don’t think confirmation represents the total rebirth that entering a convent or a monastery does. Its more of a rite of passage. Our rebirth is at baptism.

A confirmation name isn’t a new identity, its an acknowledgment of a saint you intend to model yourself after. When I took Francis, it was to model myself after Francis Xavier, not to become Francis.

Is this the same thing as choosing a patron saint, or is that different?

 

[maize]

they didnt do any confirmation names at mine last week.

 

[Lujack]

Is this the same thing as choosing a patron saint, or is that different?

To be honest, I’m not sure. I would imagine your confirmation saint is a patron (Francis Xavier certainly is for me, for various reasons), but I don’t know if it has to be for everybody.

 

[puzzleannie]

If so, then why is there not a tradition in the Church where people are called by their new name? It confuses me to no end that we have to pick a new name which means nothing really in the end, because we never use it ever again.

there is such a tradition. if someone receives a new name at baptism and/or confirmation because the old name was objectionable by Christian standards, they would by called by that name. If someone wishes to start using the new name they would have to legally change it, a civil law matter, not a canon law matter. Many religious orders no longer have the custom of choosing a new name.

 

[Angeluzza]

Thank you for the replies. They are interesting.

I did not know some people never receive a confirmation name. Now I am more confused at the discrepancy. I wonder why it is not the same everywhere.

Well, I gather that for those who did receive one, it is intended to be more like a saint who you take as a role model and nothing more really. I wish I would have known that then

Thank you again to all!

 

[FrDavid96]

This really puzzles me.

When nuns and monks enter the religious life, they often get a new name and no longer go by their old name anymore. This makes sense to me, because it is like they are a new person and the old person is gone.

Well, why is it then that when we choose a new name at our confirmation, the new name just disappears and is never actively used? Isn’t the idea of choosing a new name sort of similar to the religious who get new names - to symbolize that you are a new person, an the old person is left behind? (Not sure on this, but this is what I think anyways.)

If so, then why is there not a tradition in the Church where people are called by their new name? It confuses me to no end that we have to pick a new name which means nothing really in the end, because we never use it ever again. At least nuns use their new name If we are going to pick a new name, why not have the tradition that everyone uses it?

Any thoughts? Thanks! :heaven:

It’s usually adopted as a “middle name.”

 

[Aramis]

My confirmation name is a reversal of the patrons for my given names… Francis William, from St Francis of Assisi and St William the Dragon Slayer.

 

[sancte_joseph]

It’s usually adopted as a “middle name.”

That’s what i would do!

 

[MarieVeronica]

It’s a good question!

I have used my Confirmation name (Veronica), along with my Baptismal and middle names. Whenever I do use it… people are like… “You have THREE names?”. lol. It’s so curious… to see this reaction. But I guess there are many people in the world who don’t know what a Confirmation name is.

 

[maryjk]

It’s usually adopted as a “middle name.”

What if you already have a middle name? Drop it? Or add it your name?

 

[ericka1701]

What if you already have a middle name? Drop it? Or add it your name?

I add it to my name, so I now have three names (Marie, I get the same reaction at times, too… ). I have heard of people dropping their middle names, but that was usually in cases where they didn’t like their middle name. I guess it’s just a personal choice.

God Bless!
Ericka

 

[FrDavid96]

What if you already have a middle name? Drop it? Or add it your name?

Most people in that situation simply add it. I’ve seen it both before or after the original “middle name.” There’s no right or wrong way to do it.

Even if you do adopt a middle name, there’s nothing saying that you must do anything about it–like having your drivers license changed or adding an initial to your signature.

Personally, I had the opportunity to officially add my middle name in my late teens (purely a coincidence); but most people never actually do this. Back then it was an easy thing to do. I imagine that today it would be quite a task!

 

[puzzleannie]

Thank you for the replies. They are interesting.

I did not know some people never receive a confirmation name. !

every baptized person receives a confirmation name, it is the baptismal name. Your confusion comes by forgetting the intimate link between baptism, and confirmation which completes baptism, a link so close that in the Eastern Church they are one sacrament, and a link emphasized when adults are initiated at Easter. There is a worthy custom in some times and places of choosing an additional patron saint name (not a new name as in the case of a professed religous) at the time of confirmation, but it is not part of the sacraments, although learning about your patron saint should be part of preparation for the sacrament.

 

[Angeluzza]

every baptized person receives a confirmation name, it is the baptismal name. Your confusion comes by forgetting the intimate link between baptism, and confirmation which completes baptism, a link so close that in the Eastern Church they are one sacrament, and a link emphasized when adults are initiated at Easter. There is a worthy custom in some times and places of choosing an additional patron saint name (not a new name as in the case of a professed religous) at the time of confirmation, but it is not part of the sacraments, although learning about your patron saint should be part of preparation for the sacrament.

Thank you

 

[Jennifer_G]

I add it to my name, so I now have three names (Marie, I get the same reaction at times, too… ). I have heard of people dropping their middle names, but that was usually in cases where they didn’t like their middle name. I guess it’s just a personal choice.

God Bless!
Ericka

Maybe I should try my patron saints’ names next to my last name (that’s two Polish last names in a row!) just to see the reaction.