Potential convert to Catholicism

[analiffey]

I am new to this site, and I created this in order to ask real life Catholics my questions. I was raised in very liberal Christian churches, and my mother is a pastor. I am fifteen years old, and I am curious about Catholicism. My romantic interest is a devout Catholic, and I started to read about it because of him. Besides his influence, I am developing a connection with Mary. My dad was diagnosed with cancer, just a few days ago, and my first reaction was to pray Hail Mary.

So. As to my questions. What is the difference between a confirmation name and a birth name, and what are they about? How do you, as Catholics, react to Protestants condemning you? I have a lot more questions than this, and I’ll ask them later.

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

What is the difference between a confirmation name and a birth name, and what are they about?

A birth name is what your parents named you. A confirmation name is the name of a saint you are choosing to be your patron/ have a special lifelong closeness with.

How do you, as Catholics, react to Protestants condemning you?

This varies from person to person. For me it is a lot harder when it comes from a friend than from a random person. Ideally, we would react by later praying for them to see the truth. I find that telling myself they have to protest to justify their existence apart from us helps a lot. It’s also easier if it feels like their concern for me is out of love, because then at least we have love in common.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

How do you, as Catholics, react to Protestants condemning you?

I have met many Protestants as about half my family is Protestant as well as a number of friends and acquaintances. The vast majority of them don’t “condemn” Catholics, at least not around said Catholics, because they, like myself, have good manners and respect the beliefs of others. If I did meet a Protestant who “condemned “ me, I would think he was a rude person with problems, and avoid him.

 

[analiffey]

How do you know if you’re choosing the right patron saint, and how long does it take for you to choose? (This is all very helpful, by the way, and I appreciate you taking the time to reply)

 

[Magdalene]

There is no set amount of time, a person would just need to choose before confirmation. Some people may choose really quickly, others may want to take more time and learn about a lot of saints in the process. And once you choose a patron saint, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep learning about other saints and ask for their prayers as well.

And how do you know you’re choosing the right one? There are no right or wrong answers! You can just read and learn about different Saints, and see who you feel drawn to. Maybe you’d choose a saint who has something in common with you or who shares your name, maybe you’d choose a saint who really inspires you with their life story, maybe you would want to choose a saint who is patron of something important to you. For example, Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music, so a musician might choose her. You can find lists of saints online, or use the saint name generator by jen fulwiler, to get some ideas if you are looking for saints.

 

[1cthlctrth]

I chose my Great Grandfather’s name as my Confirmation name. (His name was a Saint’s name.)

 

[amazingcatholic]

Welcome! A birth name is a name given to you by your parents. A confirmation name is the name of a saint who you will be your patron and have a connection with. When a stranger condemns me, it is much less harder for me. When it is someone I care about, it helps me to know that I used to be in the same place as them. I had a lot of misconceptions about the Church.

 

[Chistian-ity]

Well, there is no wrong or right confirmation saint. Just one you feel maybe represents a struggle you go through, or maybe is the patron saint of x thing you can relate with, maybe their feast day is on your birthday. Anything you want, really.

 

[Dymphna82]

I have to admit, I haven’t had the most charitable responses towards Protestants condemning me. I’ve treated it like a joke.

I was raised Catholic, became a Pagan, then came back to Catholicism after 13 years. This website is actually one of the first websites that I joined, when I came back, and it’s very useful. Welcome!

When I was baptized, my parents gave me “Ann,” as my baptismal name. When I was confirmed, I was very young, and no one really taught me about the saints. So, my confirmation name was “Ann.” You are very fortunate, in that we have the internet now, and if you want to read about different saints, you have all of this information available to you.

 

[DoubtingKT]

Hi @analiffey!

Great questions! I was also a non-Catholic! Currently, I am an unbaptised Catholic!

Many friendly Catholics already answered your first question on confirmation name versus birth name! I just wanted to add, in discerning my baptismal/confirmation name, I started off:
1. Reflecting about my unique identity as a child of God: my origin, my purpose/mission in life, moral values I aspire to uphold, my vision in life (e.g. my end-goal).
2. In reflecting about my identity, I also reflect about my life journey thus far! My growth and development as a person.
3. Along the way as I reflect, I pray, read the Bible and related Catholic readings, and naturally, there will be specific people in the Bible that aspires and resonates with me! (In line with my unique identity at that point in time)
4. Following which, I will explore more about the saint and pray about it! And, also pray to the saint! As time progresses, my heart and mind will be more open to it and naturally, I feel that the saint resonates with me more.

 

[DoubtingKT]

As for reaction to condemnation:

1. I feel that any interactions and fellowship needs to be built on a trusting friendship. So, when strangers condemn me, it is rather difficult to have a personal, constructive and healthy discussion! A discussion that leads one another close to God in our unique journey. So, I tend to walk away.
2. To strangers: I must admit: between choosing to rebuke aggressively to seek justice versus being loving yet uncompromising. I choose love because I feel love is the greatest commandment. Justice will be upheld as the Truth will remain the Truth regardless of who believes in it. So, I trust that God will complete the rest in His time.

• Being uncompromising to me means, I stay true to who I am and what I stand for! Facing aggression, I tend to be open to hearing attentively what the person is speaking. Be calm and composed. If the conversation remains toxic, I will firmly state that the conversation is not life-giving and walk away. Jesus reach out to us in whatever state we are in, and bring us to where He is. He never compromises on His Holy state.

1. As for close friends and family, I try to be open to listening to what they have to say. Many a times, because I know that person on a more personal level, I try to interpret where they are coming from (reading in between the lines). I feel many a times, the aggression stems from a deep seated wound or pain. So, if we have some level of trust, we can be vulnerable to one another!

• I strive to be very true to my struggles and doubts about my faith to people too! I hope that in my struggles, they see the light of Christ through my broken vessel!
• I strive to be very open and receptive to hearing what they say! Sometimes, it is them who speaks truths about God more than me! If they do, I will affirm them too for their words or their disposition! There is potentially always something good in all bad things!
• I hope to share with them: Do not look upon the falliable Catholics like me for the whole truth, look upon Jesus Christ too to know more about Catholicism! Falliable Catholics may make mistakes, so always orientate towards Jesus Christ! (Of course, don’t be too cruel to your fellow loved ones too, we all make mistakes. Be loving and forgiving as best as we can)
• Be patient! Sometimes, I am too impatient in supporting people to see what I see in Catholicism! Be prudent also in discerning how much your loved one can take in at one time! Be loving, prudent, and steadfast in supporting them in their unique journey, rather than a one-off debate. Emmanuel, God is always with us, never one-off.

Be loving to yourself too! Don’t be too hard on myself if I become aggressive towards people! That insight that I am sinful and unloving is also a grace from God that guides me to grow in my image of Christ, apologize and reconcile with God and His people.

Once again, God is with us always! May the peace of the Lord with you always! Praise God for all that He is blessing you with in your life, in the past, now, and in the future!

 

[Minks]

Hi, and welcome! I hope you’ve had time to read more and explore more of the forum topics here on CAF. Just ask questions in any appropriate forum and we’ll try to steer you in the right direction.

There are several books about saints. Perhaps you’ll find one saint whose story resonates with you more than the others. Here’s my Confirmation Saint story—I’m sure you can remember how hyper an eleven-year-old can get when things don’t go as expected.

I had selected Saint Colette as my patron saint. Our parish priest was showing signs of senility and read my saint’s name to the bishop as Saint Cecilia, not Saint Colette. As a confirmation candidate, I’d had to write an essay about Saint Colette, and, supposedly, Father had read every essay, but during the ceremony, he glared at me and clearly announced, very emphatically: “Saint Cecilia!”

At age eleven, I was devastated, but a priest who had been a long-time family friend said that since I was officially affiliated by the bishop with Saint Cecilia, and linked to Saint Colette in my heart, I should learn to love them equally, and enjoy the bonus of having two special saints, and that’s exactly what I did!

That seemed like what we’d call a Hallmark ending today, but it was a perfect remedy. I hope that most of your problems in life may be solved as easily.