Confirmation names

[aurel]

I am preparing for my Confirmation (woohoo~! ) and I was wondering if I could change the saint name a little?
(ex. Magdelen–>Magdelena)
And also, should we have to write a report on the siant to be able to have a name? That sounds rather strange…I regret to say that my church has not followed all the rules very strictly before, and I just want to make sure~ Thanks for everything~!

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

You simply do as you are told when it comes to what you are told to do in regards to the requirements. If you want to do your own research, that’s fine and all; but if you’re not required to write a paper, then you’re not required to write a paper. The basic rules for Confirmation are in the Catechism (where you will see nothing about writing papers or letters to the bishop), but how you are catechized and what other requirements might be necessary are controlled by your diocese.

I do know of several young women who chose male saints, but were allowed to alter (not altar) them slightly for feminine style (example: Nicolette for Nicholas). I think Magdalena is the correct form in Latin and other romance languages (Spanish, Italian, etc.), but that Magalene is the anglicized form (English). So, Magdalena should be very acceptable.

Congratulations and every blessing as you confirm your faith.

 

[asquared]

aurel:

I am preparing for my Confirmation (woohoo~! ) and I was wondering if I could change the saint name a little?
(ex. Magdelen–>Magdelena)
And also, should we have to write a report on the siant to be able to have a name? That sounds rather strange…I regret to say that my church has not followed all the rules very strictly before, and I just want to make sure~ Thanks for everything~!

there are no rules about confirmation names, it is not required so there is no canon law on it. the rules come from the director of your confirmation program. Why would you want to choose a saint you know nothing about? sure, research their life, and write the report for your own benefit, make it part of your confirmation journal. you can spell the name any way you like, it does not appear on anything official.

 

[vrunca]

I am the Director of Religious Education at my parish and in our diocese we confirm at the same time as making First Holy Communion. So, asking such youngsters to write a paper is kind of harsh. I used to make it mandatory for older youth to write a paper and do so many service hours. Now, because they are so young, they are to get with their sponsor and research and write a paper with them on their saint of choice. It gives them time with their sponsor and they both do research together. A lot of times this means doing research together over the internet or on the phone, when sponsors do not live close by. But, I have had a lot of positive feed back about it. They also make a banner regarding their saint that we hang in the church during the Confirmation Mass.

 

[aurel]

I am the Director of Religious Education at my parish and in our diocese we confirm at the same time as making First Holy Communion. So, asking such youngsters to write a paper is kind of harsh. I used to make it mandatory for older youth to write a paper and do so many service hours. Now, because they are so young, they are to get with their sponsor and research and write a paper with them on their saint of choice. It gives them time with their sponsor and they both do research together. A lot of times this means doing research together over the internet or on the phone, when sponsors do not live close by. But, I have had a lot of positive feed back about it. They also make a banner regarding their saint that we hang in the church during the Confirmation Mass.

Thank you all so much for your answers~! I really appreciate it! I will tell my church people about what you do! I like your thinking~!

 

[MarthaMartha]

vrunca:

I am the Director of Religious Education at my parish and in our diocese we confirm at the same time as making First Holy Communion. So, asking such youngsters to write a paper is kind of harsh. I used to make it mandatory for older youth to write a paper and do so many service hours. Now, because they are so young, they are to get with their sponsor and research and write a paper with them on their saint of choice. It gives them time with their sponsor and they both do research together. A lot of times this means doing research together over the internet or on the phone, when sponsors do not live close by. But, I have had a lot of positive feed back about it. They also make a banner regarding their saint that we hang in the church during the Confirmation Mass.

My son had to write a one-page bio of the saint of his choice – but he was 15 when he was confirmed.

 

[asquared]

we use All Saints Day as the occassion to teach on the saints, encourage each confirmation candidate to research either his own baptismal saint or to choose another saint to research, write a short bio, draw a picture or otherwise preserve what he has learned about this saint for his journal.

We don’t make a big deal of choosing a confirmation name, but if anyone chooses another name, the only time it is used is on their nametag, so the Bishop reads the entire name. for Juan Garza, on his nametage will be Juan Benito Garza. The name does not appear on the certificate, parish register or anywhere else. So in choosing another confirmation saint, it only makes sense that the candidate learn something about the saint, and the reasons he or she would be a good patron.