How to choose a Confirmation saint
In the Roman Catholic Church, the sacrament of Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. Once you have received the sacrament of Confirmation (traditionally, this is administered at around sixteen years of age), you are considered an adult by the Church. One aspect of receiving Confirmation is that you are asked to choose a saint for your Confirmation name. This new name signifies your change in status - you are now fully initiated into the Catholic faith. Further, the saint whose name you choose becomes a patron saint in your new endeavor to grow in the life of faith as an adult. To choose a saint's name for your Confirmation is not necessarily easy. This how-to will give you some ideas while searching for your Confirmation name.
Instructions
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Saints are as unique and diverse as the rest of humanity. Although there are far more saints in heaven than there are canonized (official) saints, each canonized saint has a specific and individual path to sainthood which is intended to be an example to the rest of the Church. Read a general overview of the lives of the saints, or find a website which gives brief biographies of each saint. Does any saint's life story particularly appeal to or inspire you? This could be your Confirmation saint.
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There are many saints who died or were martyred while they were children or teenagers. If you are being confirmed as a teenager, a youthful saint might be a good choice for your confirmation saint. For example, St. Agnes or St. Cecilia were both martyred as young women.
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Do you have any serious hobbies or interests? If so, there is a patron saint for almost any hobby, interest, or sport. The patron saint of your favorite enthusiasm could be a good choice for your confirmation saint. For example, if you love learning, St. Thomas Aquinas could be a good saint. Or, if you prefer sports, St. Sebastian could be your patron.
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Do you want to perfect a specific virtue in your life? There are saints who exemplify every virtue. For example, St. Maria Goretti is the patron saint of chastity.
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Do you feel particularly called to the married life, or to the religious life? If so, there are saints who provide excellent examples of both vocations. If you feel drawn to the married life, perhaps St. Joseph would be a good saint to choose. If you feel called to the religious life, perhaps the founder of a religious order you are fond of would be a good choice (for example, St. Dominic or St. Benedict).
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No matter who you choose, remember to pray to your Confirmation Saint often as you navigate your new life as an adult in the Church!
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Tips & Warnings
it is common, although not absolutely necessary, to choose a Confirmation Saint of the same gender as your own
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
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Comments
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"Traditionally" Roman Catholics have their confirmation at the age of 12, not 16. That is nonsense!
