I don't get it
2007-04-10 12:20:06 · 10 answers · asked by bobobobobobo 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you don't really have to. it's just an old tradition. i just used St. Christopher because it's my middle name. Middle names are traditionally chosen by your parents to be 'Saint' names as well.
2007-04-10 12:28:16 · answer #1 · answered by mesquitemachine 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I considered selecting a saint's name as a great honor, not something I "had to" do. Researching the saints and selecting one of them after much reading and contemplation added a great deal to my Confirmation experience. I guess you don't "have to" select a saint's name (I learned recently that there are many countries that don't even observe this practice), but why wouldn't you? You're being asked to select the name (and hopefully, the holy attributes) of someone who devoted their life to God. This is a privilege, not a burden. Your Confirmation name is symbolic of your new life in Christ. However, if you really don't want to do it, then speak with your priest, and ask his advice in the matter.
2007-04-10 12:37:35 · answer #2 · answered by solarius 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will notice many examples in the Bible where people are given a new name when they are given a new mission by God. Abram became Abraham, Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul.
When a person is baptized, the parents give the person a name. In Confirmation, you are fully initiated into the Body of Christ, the Church, and receive the Holy Spirit to strengthen you and guide you for the rest of your life as a member of the Body of Christ. Your new mission in life calls for a new name.
2007-04-11 03:57:09 · answer #3 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to. I did. I enjoyed it.
Part of your "new life in Christ" is getting a new name. That's biblical. That's why many biblical people change their names. For instance, Simon becomes Cephas or Peter. Saul becomes Paul.
I picked Maximilian Mary Kolbe as my name saint. The saint you pick would be someone you would aspire to be like. Someone you admire.
If you don't want to, then don't do it. It's not required.
2007-04-10 12:33:46 · answer #4 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't HAVE to. It's traditional (tradition means "handed down from the Fathers of the Faith") to take the name of a great person (Father or Mother of the Faith Once Delivered) when you become an adult in the Church. People have been doing it for hundreds of years.
2007-04-10 12:24:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Instead thinking of it as a "have to" . . . it's a tradition asking you to think about the saints and which one might appeal to you the most as a role model.
2007-04-10 12:29:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't get it either. where in the Bible does Jesus practice confirmation and the picking of saints?
2007-04-10 12:29:37 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Then you don't need to be getting confirmed. Seriously, you need to find out about it first.
2007-04-10 12:23:50 · answer #8 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't get it either... but I would use Valentine ;)
may peace be with your soul.
2007-04-10 12:23:52 · answer #9 · answered by kyla_tobi 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You don't have to - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
2007-04-10 12:24:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋