Religious Names and Orders

[Catholic_Kenpo]

The Carmelite Friars do not change names either. I’m thinking of male communities that change names.

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
Trappists
Camaldolese

There must be other, but they’re not coming to my head right now. My community used to, but no longer. My name is not my baptismal name. But my novitiate class was the last one to change names back in the 90s.

JR

The Benedictines (at least the Benedictines of Belmont Abbey, NC) change names as well. I’m not sure how many of the other Benedictine monasteries require name changes. I’m guessing that, given the structure of the Benedictines, this could vary greatly depending on which monastery you go to.

-CK

 

[JReducation]

The Benedictines (at least the Benedictines of Belmont Abbey, NC) change names as well. I’m not sure how many of the other Benedictine monasteries require name changes. I’m guessing that, given the structure of the Benedictines, this could vary greatly depending on which monastery you go to.

-CK

The Bennies are divided into abbeys and congregations beneath the abbeys. Since every abbey is autonomous it is difficult to say who does what.

It’s like that in the Franciscan Order as well. All belong to the same order, but each branch has a certain degree of autonomy, especially in such things as name changes.

The logic behind not changing names in my community was to place a greater emphasis on the relationship between religioius profession and baptism., the idea being that you became a new man at baptism…

Our names never had titles, but we did keep our first name. We simply added a name. For example, I was Richard and became Julian Richard, hence JR. But we are a younger branch of the order.

The older branches, such as the Friars Minor would use a religious name and their place of birth, as Anthony of Lisbon, who due to confusion incorrectly became Anthony of Padua. And Francis himself, who was never known by his real name, but by his childhood nickname, Francesco (The Frenchman) because he was half French. His actual name on his baptismal certificate is John Baptist Bernadone.

There was a custom among Franciscans not to have two brothers in the same province with the same name and no one was Francis of Assisi. Some Franciscan communities preserve this custom.

JR

JR

 

[Augustine]

I believe that some of the provinces of the Order of Carmel, Discalced, do add a title after their name.

I’d say that most do. All that I know of do, but I don’t know all of them.

 

[Jennifer_G]

Now that it’s 5 months later, and I have a bit more understanding of religious orders and such…

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?

Top Three -

1 - Sr. Faustina Therese - after my patron saint, St. Faustina, and the 2nd one for St. Therese.

2 - Sr. Maria Therese - After the Blessed Virgin Mary and of course, St. Therese.

3 - Sr. Mary Margaret - just to throw one out there. Funny story - when I was little, whenever I was sick and laying in the “sick chair” (our lazy boy chair), my mom would wrap my hair in a towel and lay it over the chair, which I guess looked like a habit. So, my mom would say, “Oh, look! It’s Sr. Mary Margaret!”, and I would be like, “Who’s Sister Mary Margaret?” (I wasn’t Catholic at the time). (It wasn’t much later until I found out there actually was a sister named Sr. Mary Margaret).

What order are you interested in the most?

1 - Discalced Carmelites.
2 - Franciscans. They used to be #1, but St. Therese just grew on me.
3 - Benedictines. I don’t know, I just love their habits. Then again, it’s what I always thought of as what a nun would wear when I was little (also wearing a crucifix beneath the wimple). Although, they seem to be more of an educational apostolate (or some type of educational work) like the Dominicans.

I wonder if there’s any orders where they spent a small part of the day (not a full time apostolate) visiting the elderly at nursing homes/hospitals (and visiting those who have no family) - not one where you have to be a Registered Nurse or something. I’d love for there to be an order where the Rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet is prayed everyday - during Eucharistic Adoration would be nice to. I’ve always envisioned a convent where at least one nun is assigned to Eucharistic Adoration at all hours of the day.

 

[ragingbull4891]

I would probably go with

Anthony Mary or:
Solanus Mary or:
Ignatius Mary

I would choose these because:

St. Anthony of Padua (Friars Minor)
Blessed Solanus Casey (Capuchin)
St. Ignatius (Many Blessed Capuchins and also Ignatius of Loyola)

I really want to enter the Capuchin order but I don’t know if the caps do the whole name changing thing. If not, it doesn’t really matter. It is the condition of the heart that is more important.

 

[JReducation]

I would probably go with

Anthony Mary or:
Solanus Mary or:
Ignatius Mary

I would choose these because:

St. Anthony of Padua (Friars Minor)
Blessed Solanus Casey (Capuchin)
St. Ignatius (Many Blessed Capuchins and also Ignatius of Loyola)

I really want to enter the Capuchin order but I don’t know if the caps do the whole name changing thing. If not, it doesn’t really matter. It is the condition of the heart that is more important.

The Friars Minor (OFM, OFM Cap, and OFM Conv) no longer change their names. Having come from the Capuchin tradition (my community was founded by two Capuchins) the reason is because the name change was not part of their original tradition. It was something that was added. Francis and Clare never required it.

We do know that by the time Bonaventure joined the order they did have name changes. I seems that it was an option that was adopted very early, but apparently very inconsistently.

Since it’s not in the rule, nor did Francis and Clare ever change their names, it is really an option for Franciscan communities. Each obedience decides what to do regarding this matter.

Some communities keep their first name and add a second name. This way they avoid having to change names on driver’s licenses, passports, social security cards (that’s very hard to do), and academic degrees and corresponding licenses. For example, if you’re a medical doctor your degree is in your birth name. You cannot get a license to practice under the name Bonaventure of Mary if your original name is Michael Jones. The same holds true for teachers, social workers, nurses, counselors and others who need licenses. In some states and some countries, they give you a hard time over names. Today, in the USA, many religious do pay into Social Security. They have to pay under their birth name.

Some communities use a religious name as one would use a nick name, as I call it, for daily use and they use their birth name for legal matters. I use my birth name for all legal matters. Changing tons of papers is not practical or cheap.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[MissClaire]

If I could choose my name and it was not given to me, I would choose Sr.Mary Margaret Teresa of the Annunciation.
Mary for the Blessed Virgin, of course.
Margaret for Margaret of Scotland, the land of my ancestors who was charitable and kind.
Teresa for Teresa of Avila, who has been following me around the past couple weeks ever since I received an old, worn Virgo Carmeli medal. She’s shown up in an aside in a book I was reading, a crossword puzzle and in a book I was recommended.
The Annunciation has always fascinated me as it is the beginning of the story of Jesus.

I am most interested in the Discalced Carmelites. I have been in contact with the monastery in Terre Haute, Indiana. As I am currently (finally) going through RCIA, it will be some time, and nothing is certain.

Pax and God Bless.

 

[JReducation]

If I could choose my name and it was not given to me, I would choose Sr.Mary Margaret Teresa of the Annunciation.
Mary for the Blessed Virgin, of course.
Margaret for Margaret of Scotland, the land of my ancestors who was charitable and kind.
Teresa for Teresa of Avila, who has been following me around the past couple weeks ever since I received an old, worn Virgo Carmeli medal. She’s shown up in an aside in a book I was reading, a crossword puzzle and in a book I was recommended.
The Annunciation has always fascinated me as it is the beginning of the story of Jesus.

I am most interested in the Discalced Carmelites. I have been in contact with the monastery in Terre Haute, Indiana. As I am currently (finally) going through RCIA, it will be some time, and nothing is certain.

Pax and God Bless.

Now that’s a name that I dare you to fit into one of those tiny lines that they give you to sign your driver’s license.

I’m teasing, I hope you know that.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[MissClaire]

I figured! But, I wouldn’t need a drivers license anyways!
Which, I really enjoy racing-erm, driving-but it’s definitely something I can give up!

“Praise God for everything. When you have nothing, praise Him for the lack of distractions between the you!”

 

[AllyC1991]

I’ve noticed a lot of Orders nowadays let you keep your birth name. My name is Allyson and I know it’s not a Saints name. St. Alice is up there but I do not want to be Sr. Alice for personal reasons. I’m particularly fond of that Order in Sister Act because of how they all had Mary something. And they were male names from the Bible and Saints names. (ie Sister Mary Clarence, Sister Mary Robert, Sister Mary Lazarus, Sister Mary Patrick)

But for me I would choose this.
Sr. Monica Therese of the Infant Jesus

Monica-My Confirmation name. She was such an incredible mother. I am a lot like her because of how she never stopped praying for the conversion of her son and eventually her prayers were answered. I have some things that I’ve never given up on just like her.

Therese-I absolutely love her. If I could, I would probably use it as my Confirmation name if it weren’t for Monica. Also, my mom was named after her. I strive to be like St. Therese and she’s guiding me through my vocation.

The Infant Jesus-My most favorite Holiday is Christmas of course. I have a special love for the Infant Jesus. This past Christmas Eve, I had to sing “What Child is This?” for my solo. Before I did, I went up to our Manger, put a dollar in and asked the Infant to help me sing well for Him and I did.

My Order of choice is an Order no one has ever heard of: The Franciscan Sisters Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus and of Mary Immaculate. I never heard of it myself until I met some of the Sisters

 

[ragingbull4891]

Thank you for your insight br. JR !

Even though they don’t change names anymore, do you think they would let someone do that as a preference? I would of course keep my legal name, but my religious name would be different. It’s not really that important but I have always liked the idea.

 

[JReducation]

Thank you for your insight br. JR !

Even though they don’t change names anymore, do you think they would let someone do that as a preference? I would of course keep my legal name, but my religious name would be different. It’s not really that important but I have always liked the idea.

I don’t think so. I think the constitutions forbid it.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[AllyC1991]

I actually acquired a second choice for a name if I can change it. It came to me last night.

Sr. M Jacinta Bernadette of the Immaculate Heart OR the Immaculate Conception (I can’t choose)

This time the M is for Mary my Mother. My love and devotion to her is unspeakable.

Jacinta is for Blessed Jacinta Marto of Fatima. I love the story of Fatima and I think Jacinta is a beautiful name. If I did decide to have children, I would name my daughter Jacinta.

Bernadette is for one of my most favorite Saints, St. Bernadette of Lourdes. That’s my favorite apparition. If I can only go to one place (besides Rome) Lourdes is where I want to go.

 

[JReducation]

I actually acquired a second choice for a name if I can change it. It came to me last night.

Sr. M Jacinta Bernadette of the Immaculate Heart OR the Immaculate Conception (I can’t choose)

This time the M is for Mary my Mother. My love and devotion to her is unspeakable.

Jacinta is for Blessed Jacinta Marto of Fatima. I love the story of Fatima and I think Jacinta is a beautiful name. If I did decide to have children, I would name my daughter Jacinta.

Bernadette is for one of my most favorite Saints, St. Bernadette of Lourdes. That’s my favorite apparition. If I can only go to one place (besides Rome) Lourdes is where I want to go.

It’s rather interesting, because I have known many sisters whose religious name was Sister Bernadette. However, St. Bernadette’s religious name wasn ot that. It was Sister Marie Bernard.

I’m not sure how we came to call her St. Bernadette instead of St. Marie Bernard. Maybe to avoid the confusion with St. Benard. I don’t know. Just a little trivia to share.

The same seems to be happening with Edith Stein. She is becoming more popularly known as St. Edith Stein. I can see why. How many Teresas are there? Good grief!!!

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[AllyC1991]

It’s rather interesting, because I have known many sisters whose religious name was Sister Bernadette. However, St. Bernadette’s religious name wasn ot that. It was Sister Marie Bernard.

I’m not sure how we came to call her St. Bernadette instead of St. Marie Bernard. Maybe to avoid the confusion with St. Benard. I don’t know. Just a little trivia to share.

The same seems to be happening with Edith Stein. She is becoming more popularly known as St. Edith Stein. I can see why. How many Teresas are there? Good grief!!!

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I don’t like Marie Bernard. I mean I respect that it was her given name, I just don’t like it. I think Bernadette is much prettier. And I know two Sr. Theresas and I have heard of many more. That’s one thing I love about St. Therese, it’s a different take on the name.

 

[JReducation]

I don’t like Marie Bernard. I mean I respect that it was her given name, I just don’t like it. I think Bernadette is much prettier. And I know two Sr. Theresas and I have heard of many more. That’s one thing I love about St. Therese, it’s a different take on the name.

Her given name was Maria-Bernarda Sobiros. Her family called her Bernadette. Whe she entered the convent she was given the name Sister Marie Bernard.

The niceness about St. Therese is that she’s the only French woman to be named Theresa. In all the other European languages, it’s just different spellings with the same pronunciation: Theresa (English), Teresa (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Polish). For some reason, Anglophones don’t translate Therese. In every other language that I know she’s known as St. Theresa of the Child Jesus or St. Theresa the Little Flower. Then you have St. Teresa of Avila, St. Teresa of the Andes, Bl. Mother Teresa, St. Teresa Benedicta. I’ve always chuckled at the thought of all of them in one litany of saints. It’s like let’s see how many St. Johns we can put into one list.

St. Teresa of Avila was Teresa of Jesus, no Mary.
St. Therese was really Marie Therese of the Child Jesus.
Bl. Mother Teresa was Mary Teresa,
St. Teresa Benedicta was Teresa Benedicta of the Holy Cross, no Mary.
St. Teresa of the Andes was also Teresa of Jesus, no Mary.

What I have always found interesting about Carmelite women is that they us the name of the Mother quite often. That’s not common in other religious families. The Mother’s name is usually not taken as a sign of respect. The Carmelites, on the other hand, honor their spiritual mother by taking her name.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[GilChrist77]

C.M.B.
I was seriously discerning with an order that has the tradition of the postulants giving three names to the Superior then having her pick one so I made many a list. Kind of like a young woman called to marriage picking different last names If I do enter an order that has this tradition here are the three I would pick.

Sister Miria Rose of the Holy Wounds.

Miria is the Aramaic form of Mary and I love it and think it’s beautiful that that is what the Blessed Mother would have been called as a young girl.

Rose is because of a really long story but to make it short a rose represents my vocation.

This religious name came to me in Adoration and a few weeks after I made my total consecration to Mary and gave her my actual rose that represented my vocation. She really spoke to me through this name to give everything to her. So that’s how it started but this year for new years eve I was in a Dominican monastery for my live-in and the patron Saint that was drawn for the order was Saint Rose of Lima. I looked her up and realized she was born on my birthday I’ve been developing a good relationship with her in the past little while.

If I do enter an order that gives titles I would chose of the Holy Wounds. I have a very deep devotion to the Holy Wounds. Besides the Eucharist and Mary I would say that that is my strongest devotion that I have.

Sister Solanus Regina

Solanus after Solanus Casey. He’s not quite a Saint yet but he’s had a huge impact on my life.

Regina for Our Lady Queen of Heaven. It was through praying the Salve Regina that I first fell in love with Our Lady.

Sister Peter John Marie

Peter is for both the first Holy Father Peter but also for Saint Peter of Verona. John Marie is for Saint John Vianney.

Some other ones I came up with are:

Sister Monica Gianna Marie
Sister Francis Dominic Marie
Sister Sarah Rose
Sister Cecilia Rose
Sister Therese Dominic
Sister Miri Emmanuel
Sister Thomas Augustine Marie
Sister Perpetua Rose
Sister Regina Rose
Sister Rose Therese.

JMJDTF+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria! Let’s see what the good God wills.

 

[JReducation]

C.M.B.
I was seriously discerning with an order that has the tradition of the postulants giving three names to the Superior then having her pick one so I made many a list. Kind of like a young woman called to marriage picking different last names If I do enter an order that has this tradition here are the three I would pick.

Sister Miria Rose of the Holy Wounds.

Miria is the Aramaic form of Mary and I love it and think it’s beautiful that that is what the Blessed Mother would have been called as a young girl.

Rose is because of a really long story but to make it short a rose represents my vocation.

This religious name came to me in Adoration and a few weeks after I made my total consecration to Mary and gave her my actual rose that represented my vocation. She really spoke to me through this name to give everything to her. So that’s how it started but this year for new years eve I was in a Dominican monastery for my live-in and the patron Saint that was drawn for the order was Saint Rose of Lima. I looked her up and realized she was born on my birthday I’ve been developing a good relationship with her in the past little while.

If I do enter an order that gives titles I would chose of the Holy Wounds. I have a very deep devotion to the Holy Wounds. Besides the Eucharist and Mary I would say that that is my strongest devotion that I have.

Sister Solanus Regina

Solanus after Solanus Casey. He’s not quite a Saint yet but he’s had a huge impact on my life.

Regina for Our Lady Queen of Heaven. It was through praying the Salve Regina that I first fell in love with Our Lady.

Sister Peter John Marie

Peter is for both the first Holy Father Peter but also for Saint Peter of Verona. John Marie is for Saint John Vianney.

Some other ones I came up with are:

Sister Monica Gianna Marie
Sister Francis Dominic Marie
Sister Sarah Rose
Sister Cecilia Rose
Sister Therese Dominic
Sister Miri Emmanuel
Sister Thomas Augustine Marie
Sister Perpetua Rose
Sister Regina Rose
Sister Rose Therese.

JMJDTF+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria! Let’s see what the good God wills.

I’m so glad that I’m male.

We keep religious names very simple.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[AllyC1991]

Now I’ve got more name ideas. I better write them down just in case. This is why I probably won’t have children. I’m bad at choosing just one name

Sr. Gemma Cecilia
Sr. Catherine Sarah
Sr. Margaret Rita Joan

I have various reasons for each of these names. I think I should finish school and enter my religious life before I decide on a name

 

[Young_Thinker]

I really hated the idea of changing my name when I first started discerning, but I have come to love the idea. My name is Caroline, which is the feminine form of Charles (my dad’s name, actually, but my mom didn’t do this on purpose), so I could be named after St. Charles Borromeo. I just never know!

But I like Sr. M. Catherine Therese better.

What would M. represent? I also noticed that Thomas Merton used that initial in his religious name (Fr. M. Louis). Am I correct in guessing that it stands for “Maria?”