Confirmation Names

[Cressexpress]

I teach our 8th grade Confirmation class and one of my students had his saint name rejected by the sister that runs the program because he chose St. Cecilia, patron saint of music. Where can I find guidelines for confirmants to pick their saint names?

 

[cappie]

Since confirmation is now seen in relationship to baptism, any discussion of a “confirmation name” must be placed in the context of the relationship of confirmation to baptism. Confirmation is seen as a “seal” of the faith and grace given in baptism. The current rite of confirmation tries to link the celebration of this sacrament of initiation to baptism, and thus, for example, recommends that the “sponsor” for confirmation be the baptismal godparent when possible (Introduction to the Rite of Confirmation, #5) and includes a formal renewal of baptismal promises after the homily.

 

Since the rite contains no specific directive otherwise, it presumes that those to be confirmed will be addressed by the name at their baptism.

 

Choosing a separate confirmation name has been a centuries-old custom for those baptized as infants but confirmed later. But this practice emphasizes a separation between the two sacraments that is at variance with our renewed understanding of the interrelationship of baptism, confirmation and eucharist as the three sacraments of Christian initiation. And although popular in many places, a “confirmation name” is nowhere mentioned in either the former rite or the current rite; neither is it mentioned in either the old or new Code of Canon Law.

Thus there is no obligation to use a name at confirmation that is different from the name given at baptism, although the local bishop may find the older custom appropriate for education and inspirational purposes.

We do find references to the “confirmation names” in the history of the church. For example, Saint Adalbert (tenth century) actually received the name “Adalbert” at his confirmation. Under the guidance of Saint Charles Borromeo (sixteenth century), a diocesan council in Milan recommended that someone whose name was “unbecoming for a Christian” should receive another at confirmation. But this good advice was never an absolute requirement and does not address the situation of someone’s baptismal name
being that of a canonized saint.

 

So therefore one is free to choose any saint male or female. We have had the Bishop confirm kids with the name Jesus because of the large Filipino congregation. One choose Sto Nino which is holy child and is a large feast in their country. I saw no problem and the Bishop didn't either. :pope2: