Confirmation Names?

[Jayda]

hola,

I learned something interesting today… my grandparents came from mexico and spain and I found out they did not have confirmation names… I asked other people and it seems like this is not always done… I took the name Petronilla and took her as my Patron Saint. Is there any reason that somebody would not take a confirmation name and Patron Saint? … is this allowable?

gracias
Dominus Vobiscum

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Short answer: Because it’s a pious custom and not mandatory. This does not mean confirmation candidates shouldn’t look them up and write reports on them, as part of their catechesis.

I’ll let somebody give the long answer.

 

[Mintaka]

If you already had four or six baptismal names, as people did in some places, you might not want to load on the confirmation name, too…

Seriously? The confirmation sponsor was traditionally, in many places, one’s godfather or godmother. And in these same places, one was usually named after one’s godfather and/or godmother. Also, there are plenty of places where it’s just seen as over-ostentatious to add on another Confirmation name, or where people just ask to be confirmed with the same name.

All of which just means, “It’s an optional pious custom. Use your Christian freedom and do whatever works for you, and/or whatever makes your family happy.”

 

[puzzleannie]

hola,

I learned something interesting today… my grandparents came from mexico and spain and I found out they did not have confirmation names… I asked other people and it seems like this is not always done… I took the name Petronilla and took her as my Patron Saint. Is there any reason that somebody would not take a confirmation name and Patron Saint? … is this allowable?

gracias
Dominus Vobiscum

there is no requirement to take a new confirmation name, as long as your baptismal name is a saint’s name, attribute of Mary, biblical name etc. What is preferred is that you learn all you can about the patron saint(s) you already have in your baptismal name(s). In places where confirmation and baptism are conferred on infants at the same time, often the two given names are because of both sacraments. I understand sometimes they are the names of padrinos or others close to the child. On a similar note, your confirmation sponsor should be a baptismal godparent, if they are still around and able and willing to fill the role.

 

[Sarabande]

My mother is from the Philippines and I don’t think she had a confirmation name either. Many provinces in the Philippines have a lot of Spanish influence since Spain occupied them for a few hundred years. She and her sisters were baptized with Maria as the first name and then their second name, which is the name they go by, and then their third name which is usually the mother’s maiden name.

This was done with me, although I was given Maria as my second name. But since I was raised in the US, had an American-Catholic father and attended and American-Catholic school, I was given a confirmation. So, now I have five names!!!

 

[Flying_Bison]

As a personal note, I took the name Augustine because his life was instrumental in my conversion. But it is not mandatory. So in short if you feel strongly that you wish to have a St. name go for it. If not then don’t bother. The most important part is that you will have the sacrament and become a confirmed Catholic.

Enjoy your Confirmation, It should be one of the most exciting experiences of your life.

pax