Religious Names and Orders

[Jennifer_G]

Although it’s more common to pick saints within the order you have joined, I am looking at the Carmelites and I’m strongly considering:

Sr. M. Catherine Therese

St. Catherine of Siena, as you probably know, is a tertiary Dominican saint. I have heard of several sisters either keeping their baptism name or choosing a saint they are close to. So your request is not unfamiliar. If you tell the Superior why you chose that, I’m sure they’ll understand.

I’m not in a convent yet, but even if I wanted to be now, I’d have to wait 2 more years since I just became Catholic last year. Then there’s my job (computer programmer for the state - helping people with disabilities). If I leave, then there’s only 1 programmer left (and budget cuts might make it difficult to fill that position). Which probably explains one of my wierd Catholic themed dreams. I think part of me feels attracted to religious life (at least at an insterest level), but another part still feels like work is where I should be.

 

[JMJ_coder]

A name’s just something to help with our petty mortal communication and simply acts to reinforce our feelings of individuality and pride, if we do not check ourselves. God knows us each by the soul He has implanted within each of us as our loving Father. :yup:

That said, thank you for the prayers.

Prayerfully.
Stephen

A name isn’t thought in our world today very much. Oh, it’s just a name. But, in antiquity a name was very important – it conveyed something about the very person. A good example is Jesus – the Name itself means “YHWH saves” “God who saves” “Savior”. The Name denotes who He is.

 

[Angeluzza]

. I think part of me feels attracted to religious life (at least at an insterest level), but another part still feels like work is where I should be.

Of course, only you can discern for yourself, but for some reason Martha and Mary popped into my head

 

[JReducation]

The community I am looking into, the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Wautawatosa, WI, allows the postulant who is becoming a novice 3 choices which she submits in the form of a list to the Provincial Superior. At the novitiate’s commencement, the Superior chooses what name she deems appropriate for the Sister. It may be any of those 3 names, or one the Superior has in mind (which may be even more beautiful!). If I was to submit 3 names right now, they would be:

Sr. M. Catherine Therese
Sr. Magdalena Marie
Sr. M. Faustina Therese

But, as Juliet said about Romeo in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” JR, you are right that it is not about the name, but the life that we wish to surrender to God. I would be content with NO name if it was God’s will.

Our province had that same custom many years ago when I joined. You selected three and the Superior selected one of them or another of his choosing. But our custom was a little different in the sanse that you kept one of your baptismal names to avoid legal complications and a religious name was added. I was Jason Julian at Baptism, but was given Jason Richard, hence the JR. I have to admit, that I’ve never been particularly attached to the name Richard. I don’t know why.

This is no longer the practice. But those of us who entered before the practice was made optional either kept the name because we had it for many years or returned to the baptismal name.

The funny thing is that no one ever calls me either Brother Jason or Brother Richard. Everyone has always called me JR.

Fraternally,

JR

 

[Catholic_Kenpo]

I like the practice of changing your name upon entering an order. I was actually happy to hear that the Abbey I’m currently discerning with requires this. Not that I don’t like my baptismal name (I just hate it when people can’t spell it right), it just seems like a great way to show that you’re no longer the person you were before you took vows. I spent some of my downtime at the Abbey this weekend looking through the list of saints online just to see if any names stuck out for me. It’s premature at this point, but I’m learning a lot about the saints while I do it, so it’s not completely wasted even if I never profess vows.

-CK

 

[deprofundis]

Fr. Simon would suffice

 

[Old_Convert]

Here are some others I thought of. This is really fun and actually helps to keep your goal before your eyes and make your determination to enter even stronger.

Sister Bernadette Therese of the Immaculate Conception

Sister Bethany Grace of the Precious Blood

Sister Vianney Dolores of the Mother of God

Sister Regina Clare of the Holy Trinity

If anyone out there is closer to entering than I am and just falls in love with one of these names and wants to use it, go ahead! They are a gift from God! It’s fun to think of names that link together in their meaning as do “Bernadette” and "the Immaculate Conception and “Dolores” and “the Mother of God” as Dolores, of course, means “sorrows.” Researching the names helps one to learn more about the saints and more about the faith. Have fun!

 

[Augustine]

I like the practice of changing your name upon entering an order.

As an OCDS candidate, I’m some time away from choosing my name in religion, but I also like the idea of using a name other than the baptismal one.

I’m not sure if this was truly the reason, but I was once told that a name different from the baptismal one was preferred if not required in order to mark the transition to religious life, that the old one is dead to the world and a new one is born.

This break is interesting because one can get the psychological comfort of having left his sins in the past life, or so I think.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

As an OCDS candidate, I’m some time away from choosing my name in religion, but I also like the idea of using a name other than the baptismal one.

I’m not sure if this was truly the reason, but I was once told that a name different from the baptismal one was preferred if not required in order to mark the transition to religious life, that the old one is dead to the world and a new one is born.

This break is interesting because one can get the psychological comfort of having left his sins in the past life, or so I think.

I agree 110%. While I love my name, I’m not attached to it so where I have to keep it anymore. I used to say I would never change my name, but I believe in changing names in religious life. Especially when you have a saint or two that you are close to, like me.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Here’s a little thought:

– many female religious have a masculine name - Sister Luke; Sister Benedict; etc.

– but, aside from Mary (our Blessed Lady) (and that as a secondary such as Brother Francis-Mary), male religious don’t have feminine names. There is no - Brother Lucy; Brother Margaret; etc.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Here’s a little thought:

– many female religious have a masculine name - Sister Luke; Sister Benedict; etc.

– but, aside from Mary (our Blessed Lady) (and that as a secondary such as Brother Francis-Mary), male religious don’t have feminine names. There is no - Brother Lucy; Brother Margaret; etc.

Yeah, you are right! LOL! I can’t think of any male religious that have a feminine name rather than Mary or a variation of it (Marie, Maria, etc.).

 

[JReducation]

Yeah, you are right! LOL! I can’t think of any male religious that have a feminine name rather than Mary or a variation of it (Marie, Maria, etc.).

There was a reason why many women religious had masculine names. It was a way of breaking away from what was considered the trivia of femininity and it gave a woman a sense of strength.

If you think about it that makes some kind of sense. In the past, women religious were pioneers. There were not too many women who governed themselves, traveled around the world without a male companion, lived in the jungles, ran households with large numbers of people and no male authority figure, were in charge of institutions, etc.

Women religious have been doing what women’s lib only began discussion in the 1960s. Women religious have had this kind of authority and autonomy since the first abbeys of women were founded by St. Benedict and St. Ursula.

Women in the secular world have a lot to catch up with. LOL

Fraternally,

JR

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

I posed this question on Phatmass and got some very beautiful responses. I would like to pose this question to the discerners on CAF.

What religious name would you choose if you could have any name?

I would choose:

Sr. M. Catherine Therese of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

M. for the Blessed Mother, Mary, my Mother.

Catherine for St. Catherine of Siena, the patron of the Church where I was baptized and raised in. Coincidentally, it is my mother’s middle name. AND, if you want to hear something really spooky, when I went on retreat in November, St. Catherine of Siena was my small group’s patron. She follows me around quite a bit, and I have nothing but the utmost respect and love for her because she received the sacred signs of our Lord’s Passion (stigmata).

Therese, of course, for my most beloved saint who introduced me to the Discalced Carmelites. I have such a special relationship with my spiritual sister in Heaven. She has interceded for me several times.

I have a VERY special devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Whenever I pray to the Sacred Heart, I feel a very special connection. I just recently acquired a book about the devotion by an S.J. Father, and I can’t wait to read it!

What order are you interested in the most?

I am the most interested in the Carmelite order (my first love), most specifically, the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Milwaukee, WI. I plan to go there in February if I can get a job. I’ve been emailing Sr. M. Immaculata back and forth, and she invited me there.

I went to St. Louis with the best intentions to discern my vocation truthfully, but in all honesty, I went and didn’t do that. I went and met my friend and was sick the rest of the weekend from a stomach bug, and didn’t give them a fair shot (though I don’t blame myself for being sick). I want to attend a different province without my friend (no disrespect, my friend) and discern truthfully.

I was looking at their website, and they have nursing needs which are far greater than the needs in the Central province. I am going back to school soon for Registered Nursing and I feel that it is my God-given vocation to be a Sister and Registered Nurse. I believe God is calling me to serve in this capacity.

carmelitedcjnorth.org/

Here is the Central Province, if anyone is interested:

carmelitedcj.org/

I am also somewhat interested in the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. ssfpa.org/

and

The Hawthorne Dominicans (which have St. Catherine of Siena on their intro )
hawthorne-dominicans.org/

What a wonderful thread Carmelite girl… I am so very glad to see discussions that open young women up to the many possibilities and adventures that await in the convent
ty again for your many posts here… I am sure they have helped many on the diff forums
blessings

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

What a wonderful thread Carmelite girl… I am so very glad to see discussions that open young women up to the many possibilities and adventures that await in the convent
ty again for your many posts here… I am sure they have helped many on the diff forums
blessings

You are welcome, Poor Clare tobe.

 

[MusicaDonumDei]

Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of being received into the Catholic Church, so I’m not familliar with the process for selecting religious names. Is there some sort of formula to follow? Forgive me for thinking mathematically, but is it something similar to:

(Brother/Sister/Father) + (Saint) + (Devotion) ?

Also, I was baptized in a Presbyterian church, so I wasn’t given a baptismal name. Will I be able to pick one for my Catholic confirmation?

Because I’m interested in languages and linguistics and am a convert, I feel a connection to St. Jerome. And since the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart here in Pensacola was the place that I went after finding the courage to finally convert, I guess I might choose Br. Jerome of the Sacred Heart.

Thanks!

Jonathan

 

[Augustine]

A propos, anunslife.org/2009/01/20/nun-sister-choosing-a-religious-name/.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of being received into the Catholic Church, so I’m not familliar with the process for selecting religious names. Is there some sort of formula to follow? Forgive me for thinking mathematically, but is it something similar to:

(Brother/Sister/Father) + (Saint) + (Devotion) ?

Also, I was baptized in a Presbyterian church, so I wasn’t given a baptismal name. Will I be able to pick one for my Catholic confirmation?

Because I’m interested in languages and linguistics and am a convert, I feel a connection to St. Jerome. And since the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart here in Pensacola was the place that I went after finding the courage to finally convert, I guess I might choose Br. Jerome of the Sacred Heart.

Thanks!

Jonathan

Yes, you will be able to choose a name when you are Confirmed. My Confirmation name is Anne after St. Anne, the mother of Our Lady. St.'s Anne and Joachim have their feast day on my birthday (July 26th) and at the time, I really did not know the saints. The only saint I ever heard of at that time was St. Catherine of Siena (the patron of my Church). I really don’t know why I didn’t choose her because I am really close to her.

Since you are close to St. Jerome, why don’t you choose that to be your Confirmation name, too?

BTW, I love the Sacred Heart Devotion. I’m currently reading the book “Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: How to Practice the Sacred Heart Devotion”, which I highly recommend!

Here’s a link to see more about it:
amazon.com/Devotion-Sacred-Heart-Jesus-Practice/dp/0895553341/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232488039&sr=8-1

It has the story about St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who started the modern day devotion after receiving graces and a vision from our Lord. It’s a very informative book.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of being received into the Catholic Church,

(Congratualtions) and welcome!

Also, I was baptized in a Presbyterian church, so I wasn’t given a baptismal name. Will I be able to pick one for my Catholic confirmation?
Yes most certainly and its great you are looking into it now. I came from the Presbyterian tradition [31 years ago] and was taken by surprise when asked to choose a confirmation name… so of course went with Mary. I love the fact of choosing as like you said we didn’t have a saints name … good luck with your RCIA process . And with choosing your Saint to look over you!

Because I’m interested in languages and linguistics and am a convert, I feel a connection to St. Jerome. And since the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart here in Pensacola was the place that I went after finding the courage to finally convert, I guess I might choose Br. Jerome of the Sacred Heart.

Thanks!

Jonathan

Blessings of Peace and All Good!

 

[Catholic_Kenpo]

As an OCDS candidate, I’m some time away from choosing my name in religion, but I also like the idea of using a name other than the baptismal one.

I’m not sure if this was truly the reason, but I was once told that a name different from the baptismal one was preferred if not required in order to mark the transition to religious life, that the old one is dead to the world and a new one is born.

This break is interesting because one can get the psychological comfort of having left his sins in the past life, or so I think.

The Abbey I’m discrening with requires a name change, but if you happen to have a saint’s name already, I don’t think they’d complain too much. The guestmaster was using his middle name, but only because there was already a monk using his first name. They won’t allow two monks with the same name. Fortunately, neither of my names are associated with any saints, so I don’t have a choice. After contemplating, I’ve more or less narrowed it down to four names, although as I said, I’m still a long ways off from entering.

Br Pascal (St Pascal Baylon)
Br Felix (St Felix of Cantalice)
Br Zachary (Pope St Zachary)
Br Caleb (the biblical figure)

From what I’ve seen, they don’t really go for the long names including devotions, etc. It’s just a first name. I think the first two on that list are my favorites, mainly because the associated saints have really awesome stories.

-CK

 

[Beachcomber]

This is a fun and interesting thread!

I’ve been curious about the name-changing business in religious life and over the years I’ve asked individual women and men in religion about their names. Some chose them based on personal devotion to a saint or an attribute of the Lord. Some kept their own names and others had it given to them.

Actually, some sisters after Vatican II and the renewal in religious life changed back to their own names. A lot of the names that were given out “back then” in pre-V2 days were odd, hard to pronounce, or belonged to saints that turned out to be dropped from the calendar because no one could verify that they actually existed.

As for me, given the option, I think I’d let the superiors pick a new name for me. There’s always a reason in the discernment about a specific name.