Confirmation Names

[Cnaeus]

A post by ShannonMcMorland reminded me of what I think is a good subject for a thread, our confirmation names.

It's often interesting to see what names people have chosen and why they have done so, these names having been taken as a model for our Catholic lives.

So, I'll start. Mine is Saint Damasus, after the 4th century pope who lived from 306 to 384. Although it was during his pontificate that Arianism arose, during his term Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman state.

A very important accomplishment, which he sponsored, was Saint Jerome's translation of scripture now known as the Vulgate. Damasus restored catacombs, shrines, and the tombs of martyrs, and wrote poetry and metrical inscriptions about and dedicated to martyrs. Thus he is the patron of archaeologists.

"Coincidentally," his feast day falls on my birthday, December 11.

From the Decree of Damasus:

"The arrangement of the names of Christ, however, is manifold: Lord, because He is Spirit; Word, because He is God; Son, because He is the only-begotten son of the Father; Man, because He was born of the Virgin; Priest, because He offered Himself as a sacrifice; Shepherd, because He is a guardian; Worm, because He rose again; Mountain, because He is strong; Way, because there is a straight path through Him to life; Lamb, because He suffered; Corner-Stone, because instruction is His; Teacher, because He demonstrates how to live; Sun, because He is the illuminator; Truth, because He is from the Father; Life, because He is the creator; Bread because He is flesh; Samaritan, because He is the merciful protector; Christ, because He is anointed; Jesus, because He is a mediator; Vine, because we are redeemed by His blood; Lion, because he is king; Rock, because He is firm; Flower, because He is the chosen one; Prophet, because He has revealed what is to come."

An epitaph he wrote for himself:

"He who walking on the sea could calm the bitter waves, who gives life to the dying seeds of the earth; he who was able to loose the mortal chains of death, and after three days' darkness could bring again to the upper world the brother for his sister Martha: he, I believe, will make Damasus rise again from the dust."

 

[entropy_rising]

St. Martin de Porres

 

[Spence06]

St. Francis of Assisi

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

^one of my favorite quotes from Francis.

​

 

[KennySe]

Nice thread, C.

I chose St. Paul as my confirmation name.
He did some serious travelling and preaching.

And in my life, years later, I travelled around the Mediterranean: including Ephesus and Malta and Jerusalem. Three places where Paul had been.

I stood in that very same amphitheater where Paul told the Ephesians that there silver statues were ...just trinkets.

(Trivia: Some Crusaders passed through the deserted city (deserted in their day because the city was no longer on the sea, so the port had dried up and people had left years earlier.) and the Crusaders took copper "binding clasps" off of the stone walls, to make shields and such.

Trivia: In that same amphiteater, there have been musical concerts.
I think I was told Yanni was one.
The LAST one was Sting. His music was so loud that the stonework was vibrating and for fear of further damage, there will be no more concerts there.)

And a story I was told about Malta.

A tourist [seeing that there are Catholic churches throughout the Island Nation] asked an elderly man, 'When did Malta become a Catholic country?"

Elderly man: "Since St. Paul was here."

 

[garydench]

St. Thomas More

"I die the King's good servant, but God's first."

 

[Filia Mariae]

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

 

[Irenaeus]

St. Michael the Archangel.

Everyone knows about him.

 

[ZooMom]

I picked St. Clare. I love St. Francis, so I wanted his female counterpart. St. Clare is an awesome example of charity and selflessness and faith. I just love her. I have searched for a medal with her on it, but no luck yet.


Feastday:August 11

Patron of sore eyes



Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not. Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters. "O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body."


Peace be with you!

Sandy

 

[geocajun]

Baptized with Paul as my Saint name, and confirmed with Saint Thomas Aquinas as my patron

 

[Irenaeus]

geo,

St. Thomas Aquinas is awesome.

 

[Spence06]

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Great saint! Thats my parish!

 

[colleen]

St. Ann: Mary's mother

 

[pax]

St. Dominic Savio.

"Death, but not sin!"

http://www.boychoirs.org/savio.html

 

[Cnaeus]

geo,

St. Thomas Aquinas is awesome.

I agree.

(I can count him responsible for half of the good grades on my math tests. )

(Although the patron saint of test takers is Joseph of Copertino.)

 

[geocajun]

geo,

St. Thomas Aquinas is awesome.

thats why I picked him

 

[3toraiseup]

I chose St. Theresa of Avila. She was an example of one with a rich interior life, yet also excelled in her earthly duties. I thought she would be a good balanced example for a lay Christian.

 

[Alessandra]

Mine is also Teresa of Avila, but I can not remember why I chose her (I was only 8 at the time)

 

[Credo]

St. Michael the Archangel

 

[darby8]

St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ. Great role model!

 

[3toraiseup]

Credo,

We attend St Michael the Archangel Church. In the rear of the church is a large statue quite similar to the second picture you posted. My 3.5 yr old boy and 2 yr old little girl are at eye level with the dragon and spear as we walk out of church. They always get a big charge out of the mighty St Michael.