CHOOSING A CONFIRMATION NAME
Why do I choose a confirmation name?
Because God did it.
Whenever God did something big in the Bible, he often changed a person’s name as a sign of what he was doing. For example, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father to a host of nations.” It signified that God was making a covenant with Abraham that would make him the first of God’s people on earth (Genesis 17:5). In another example, Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning “rock.” This is because Jesus made Peter the first Pope, and thus started the Church. “And upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:17-18). It was God’s way of saying: “This is a big deal that will change your life forever!”
You’ll get a friend in heaven.
A saint is someone who is in heaven. So when you choose a saint name, you’re choosing a friend and mentor in heaven. Your saint will pray for you since they are now one with God, and they no longer have the same trouble praying that we often have. Your saint will be a special “in” with God, and they will pray to God on your behalf. Through your saint you’ll have a direct line to the Big Man himself!
To have a model of holiness.
As you learn about your saint you’ll see what it really means to live a Catholic Christian life that is pleasing to God, and will bring you joy, peace, and eternal life. Sometimes it’s hard to know how we’re supposed to take all that our faith teaches us and apply it to our lives in a practical way. The stories, quotes, legends, prayers, accomplishments, and writings of your saint will help you figure that out.
Whenever God did something big in the Bible, he often changed a person’s name as a sign of what he was doing. For example, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father to a host of nations.” It signified that God was making a covenant with Abraham that would make him the first of God’s people on earth (Genesis 17:5). In another example, Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning “rock.” This is because Jesus made Peter the first Pope, and thus started the Church. “And upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:17-18). It was God’s way of saying: “This is a big deal that will change your life forever!”
You’ll get a friend in heaven.
A saint is someone who is in heaven. So when you choose a saint name, you’re choosing a friend and mentor in heaven. Your saint will pray for you since they are now one with God, and they no longer have the same trouble praying that we often have. Your saint will be a special “in” with God, and they will pray to God on your behalf. Through your saint you’ll have a direct line to the Big Man himself!
To have a model of holiness.
As you learn about your saint you’ll see what it really means to live a Catholic Christian life that is pleasing to God, and will bring you joy, peace, and eternal life. Sometimes it’s hard to know how we’re supposed to take all that our faith teaches us and apply it to our lives in a practical way. The stories, quotes, legends, prayers, accomplishments, and writings of your saint will help you figure that out.
How do I choose a Confirmation Name?
Pray.
As always, ask the Holy Spirit to help you figure out which saint name to choose. He has a plan for you, and carefully choosing the saint he desires for you will help you to fulfill that plan.
Learn.
Learn about different saints. You’ve already learned about many saints throughout your time in the Confirmation program. You can choose the name of a saint or the name of a holy person in the Old Testament.
Patron Saints.
Many saints are known as “patrons” for certain people or causes. For instance, the patron saint of animals is St. Francis of Assisi because he was known for his love of nature and animals. St. Luke (who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles) is the patron saint of doctors because he himself was a doctor. St. Philip Neri is known as the patron saint of joy, laughter, or humor because he often played practical jokes on people. Many saints are patrons of several different things, and sometimes a particular cause has multiple saints.
There are patron saints for students, business men/women, artists, athletes, teenagers… the list goes on and on. Saints become patrons of a certain cause when that cause was important to them while they were alive, or because they lived in such a way that a particular cause relates to them.
Make it personal.
Don’t just choose a saint because their name sounds cool or you saw a neat picture of them one time. Ask yourself the following questions about some of the saints…
As always, ask the Holy Spirit to help you figure out which saint name to choose. He has a plan for you, and carefully choosing the saint he desires for you will help you to fulfill that plan.
Learn.
Learn about different saints. You’ve already learned about many saints throughout your time in the Confirmation program. You can choose the name of a saint or the name of a holy person in the Old Testament.
Patron Saints.
Many saints are known as “patrons” for certain people or causes. For instance, the patron saint of animals is St. Francis of Assisi because he was known for his love of nature and animals. St. Luke (who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles) is the patron saint of doctors because he himself was a doctor. St. Philip Neri is known as the patron saint of joy, laughter, or humor because he often played practical jokes on people. Many saints are patrons of several different things, and sometimes a particular cause has multiple saints.
There are patron saints for students, business men/women, artists, athletes, teenagers… the list goes on and on. Saints become patrons of a certain cause when that cause was important to them while they were alive, or because they lived in such a way that a particular cause relates to them.
Make it personal.
Don’t just choose a saint because their name sounds cool or you saw a neat picture of them one time. Ask yourself the following questions about some of the saints…
- Whose life do I admire? Who has done amazing things that really inspire me?
- Who has lived their life in a way that I dream about living mine?
- Who can I relate to?
- What’s important to me? Is there a patron saint for that?
- Which saint has his/her feast day on my birthday?
- Which saint has his/her feast day on another significant day in my life?
- Do I feel a meaningful connection with a particular saint?
- Whose name would symbolize that I am trying to live for God, not just for myself?
- Whose name would mean for me, “This is a big deal that will change my life forever!”
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CONFIRMATION NAME REGISTRATIONWhen you're ready to register your Confirmation name, please use the Confirmation Name Registration Form. Make sure you know a little about who your saint is and where you found them before you fill out the form!
Register Your Confirmation Name
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