2007-10-20 15:42:38 · 9 answers · asked by the pink baker 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Does it have to be a saint?
2007-10-20 15:46:40 · update #1
Catholics pick a Confirmation name based on a saint that they wish to imitate and whom they want to have as an intercessor...It's a very old tradition, we've been doing it for centuries. Confirmation is a sacrament which is the kind of 'growing up' in Catholicism, so it is also fitting to pick a new name.
Yes, it has to be a saint.
--edit-- Ok people, for the record, when you get confirmed, your first and middle name do not change. For example, if your name is Jessica Marie, then you choose the name of St. Cecilia, your name would be Jessica Marie Cecilia (family name afterward, obv.)
2007-10-20 15:47:30 · answer #1 · answered by Daewen 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
My user name is my confirmation name. I was raised Catholic. Being a kid in charge of picking my name I picked my cats name. If I was a Catholic parent I would guide them in picking a name. The apostles, or at least some of them were given new names. I think it symbolizes the life you are confirming to live with Jesus.
2007-10-20 22:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by Elizabeth 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised Roman Catholic. The name I was born with is the same name that I have now, after being confirmed. I have never heard of getting a new name at confirmation.
The only thing I could possibly see is that before confirmation, your godparents make the decision for you at your baptism to be "a child of God". Confirmation, is when you confirm by your own will, what they decided for you as a child. Maybe it's that your Christian name can now be applied now that you have confirmed yourself with Christ.
For the record, I am no longer Catholic.
2007-10-20 22:50:31 · answer #3 · answered by Mr.Jim Lahey 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
A Confirmation Name is the name of a saint, chosen by the person to be confirmed, and imposed by the bishop in Confirmation. Added to the Christian name, it gives the person confirmed a heavenly patron whom he should endeavor to imitate.
2007-10-20 22:46:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
It is a Confirmation name. We do not take it as a new name. It symbolizes a saint whom the person admires.
2007-10-20 22:46:09 · answer #5 · answered by jessicas127 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's the custom in the middle-east, when making life changes.
Just like the Pope takes a new name, & kings do too.
The custom is to take a Saint's name, as your patron.
2007-10-20 22:48:11 · answer #6 · answered by Robert S 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well I grew up in a Catholic neighborhood and none of my Catholic friends name changed when they were confirmed.
2007-10-20 22:56:24 · answer #7 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it's not a new name, it's a saint in God's army we try to emmulate. I chose St joan of arc for her strength and dedication to our Lord. it also helped that my mom was named after her too!
2007-10-20 22:59:22 · answer #8 · answered by Marysia 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's that whole religious thing of pretending you are a totally different person, like born-again.
Some of us got it right the first time.
2007-10-20 22:49:43 · answer #9 · answered by Brent Y 6 · 1⤊ 7⤋