Who is my Confirmation saint?

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switalabe

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Hello,

I’ve wanted to ask this question for a long time, and I’m glad to finally have the chance on the Catholic Answers forums.

My question is this: who is my Confirmation saint? When I was preparing to be Confirmed (which was about thirteen years ago), I chose St. Thomas Aquinas as my Confirmation saint, and as part of the preparation, I studied St. Thomas Aquinas. However, when it came time to be Confirmed, the Confirming bishop asked me, “Who did you choose to be your saint?” (I don’t remember exactly what he asked, so I paraphrased), and I answered, “St. Thomas.” Then he said something about St. Thomas the Apostle and Confirmed me.

So does this mean that St. Thomas the Apostle is actually my Confirmation saint, because the bishop thought I was referring to St. Thomas the Apostle and not St. Thomas Aquinas?

I’ve also heard that the tradition of Confirmation saints is a lower-case t tradition and not an upper case T Tradition, so it’s not essential. But I would still like to know, if possible.

Thanks,
Ben
 
switalabe said:
Hello,

I’ve wanted to ask this question for a long time, and I’m glad to finally have the chance on the Catholic Answers forums.

My question is this: who is my Confirmation saint? When I was preparing to be Confirmed (which was about thirteen years ago), I chose St. Thomas Aquinas as my Confirmation saint, and as part of the preparation, I studied St. Thomas Aquinas. However, when it came time to be Confirmed, the Confirming bishop asked me, “Who did you choose to be your saint?” (I don’t remember exactly what he asked, so I paraphrased), and I answered, “St. Thomas.” Then he said something about St. Thomas the Apostle and Confirmed me.

So does this mean that St. Thomas the Apostle is actually my Confirmation saint, because the bishop thought I was referring to St. Thomas the Apostle and not St. Thomas Aquinas?

I’ve also heard that the tradition of Confirmation saints is a lower-case t tradition and not an upper case T Tradition, so it’s not essential. But I would still like to know, if possible.

Thanks,
Ben
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As an apostle, St. Thomas outranks T. Aquinas, so I’m 99% sure he’s your saint. I’m sure Aquinas won’t mind. Even if he’s jealous for his honor, I’m sure his respect for the apostolic body made up for it, so he’s not resentful.
 
switalabe said:
Hello,

I’ve wanted to ask this question for a long time, and I’m glad to finally have the chance on the Catholic Answers forums.

My question is this: who is my Confirmation saint? When I was preparing to be Confirmed (which was about thirteen years ago), I chose St. Thomas Aquinas as my Confirmation saint, and as part of the preparation, I studied St. Thomas Aquinas. However, when it came time to be Confirmed, the Confirming bishop asked me, “Who did you choose to be your saint?” (I don’t remember exactly what he asked, so I paraphrased), and I answered, “St. Thomas.” Then he said something about St. Thomas the Apostle and Confirmed me.

So does this mean that St. Thomas the Apostle is actually my Confirmation saint, because the bishop thought I was referring to St. Thomas the Apostle and not St. Thomas Aquinas?

I’ve also heard that the tradition of Confirmation saints is a lower-case t tradition and not an upper case T Tradition, so it’s not essential. But I would still like to know, if possible.

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...
Welcome, Ben! 👋

As you noted, the practice of choosing a patron saint for your Confirmation is a matter of personal piety. It is not a formal and/or necessary part of the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

I would say that your patron is whoever you intended him to be. That the bishop made a reasonable (though in this case false) assumption about which St. Thomas does not change who you chose.

Mine was St. Joseph. There are a lot of St. Josephs, too. 😛 Of course, in my case, my choice really was the most obvious one (spouse of the Blessed Virgin). 🙂
 
Multiple saints with the same name reminds me of this story. A man taking a walk managed to fall off a cliff. He was able to grab a slender branch that stopped his fall, but he knew it couldn’t last long. In desperation he called out, “St. Francis, help me!” There was a deep silence - time itself seemed to stop - then a voice came from heaven, “Which St. Francis?”

😃
 
Bonnie said:
Multiple saints with the same name reminds me of this story. A man taking a walk managed to fall off a cliff. He was able to grab a slender branch that stopped his fall, but he knew it couldn’t last long. In desperation he called out, “St. Francis, help me!” There was a deep silence - time itself seemed to stop - then a voice came from heaven, “Which St. Francis?”

😃
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:rotfl::rotfl:
Which reminds me of another old joke:
A young Irish boy was being confirmed and didn’t want to choose the standby’s: Patrick, John, Joseph, etc. Instead he chose a very obscure 2nd century martyr.
At the Confirmation Mass, the Bishop, at once puzzled, and intrigued asked “Why”?
The boy replied…well, you see I figure all the lads are picking those famous guys…and the way me life has been goin, you know…I feel like I need someone on me case, FULLTIME! 👍
 
I essentially agree with Joe. You wanted St. Thomas Aquinas to be your Patron Saint so I think he is.
 
I agree that most likely it is St. Thomas Aquinas like you desired. But, should it be St Thomas the Apostle, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that either,
 
If it were me, 'd claim them both! LOL
People adopt patrons all the time…praying with favorite saints. Either way, you’re in great company.
 
pianistclare said:
If it were me, 'd claim them both! LOL
People adopt patrons all the time…praying with favorite saints. Either way, you’re in great company.
Click to expand...
Oh yes. I’ve adopted 4 more in the years since I was confirmed. St. Martha to help me be a better homemaker, St. Pauline Visintainer to help me with my diabetes, Blessed Miguel Pro and Blessed Jose to help me be firm in my faith. At the time I was confirmed, I had no idea I would need the extra help of these wonderful saints!
 
My chosen confirmation saint is St. Therese of Lisieux, but the bishop somehow thought I meant Teresa of Avila and that’s what he said when he confirmed me…

I always just assumed that they could share… 😉
 
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