Your confirmation name is added after your middle name. For example, if your name is John George Smith and you choose St. Michael as your confirmation saint, your new name is John George Michael Smith. Your confirmation name won’t replace your first name.
Some church communities may allow you to choose someone designated as “Blessed” (meaning they’re on their way to becoming a saint, but not quite there yet), but not every church allows it. Ask your pastor if this is a possibility.
For example, your confirmation name might be “John Michael Maria Smith,” or “Margaret Catharine Michael Smith. ”
If you’re not named after a saint, choose a new confirmation name that’s different from your baptismal name, and which is the name of a saint.
If you choose the name of a person, research and familiarize yourself with the saint that shares their name, anyway. This saint will still serve as your spiritual guide after your confirmation! You can’t choose the name of someone who isn’t named after a saint.
Visit a site like CatholicSaints and browse their list of patron saints to find a topic and a saint you identify with. There are often multiple patron saints for a single topic, so you can start with a topic you like and then pick from the saints associated with that topic. In addition, many saints are patrons of multiple things. Some popular saints with common patronages are: St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of animals. St. John the Apostle, the patron of scholars. St. Luke the Evangelist, the patron of artists St. Martha, the patron of cooks. St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron of librarians. St. Cosmas, the patron of medical doctors. St. Blaise, the patron of musicians. St. Veronica, the patron of photographers. St. Augustine of Hippo, the patron of theologians. St. Francis de Sales, the patron of writers.
Visit a site like Catholic. org to browse the lives and biographies of many saints. St. George was a soldier and a martyr who died for his faith. People often look to St. George to ask for bravery or courage. St. Germaine Cousin was a handicapped shepherdess, who many people with disabilities admire. St. Peregrine Laziosi was converted later in his life after being strongly anti-Catholic. He also recovered from cancer. For these reasons, many converts and cancer patients choose him as their confirmation saint. St. Anne was the grandmother of Jesus and the mother of the Virgin Mary. Many mothers or aspiring mothers look to her for inspiration. St. Genevieve became a nun at age 15, making her a favorite confirmation saint among sisters and nuns of many religious orders.
St. Catherine of Bologna was a skilled illustrator, and is often revered by aspiring artists. [9] X Research source Pope St. Gregory the Great collected and compiled much religious music, making him popular among practicing musicians. St. Francis of Nagasaki was a skilled physician and is admired by doctors and medical students. St. Padre Pio had the stigmata, or the crucifixion marks of Jesus, and is admired for his devotion. He’s a role model for many priests, monks, and other people in the religious orders. St. Agnes resisted marriage because of her devotion to God, and was eventually killed for rejecting a suitor. She’s a favorite among lay people (people who neither get married nor take religious vows). St. Rosalia was born to a wealthy lord, but gave away her possessions to become closer to God. Philanthropists and charity workers often look to her example.
Buy books, statues, and/or pictures affiliated with your namesake. Visual reminders throughout your home and day to day life will help you during times of reflection. Call on your patron saint for guidance and inspiration in leading a holy life as God has intended.
