Bishop Barron on Confirmation Names

One of the marks of the sacrament of Confirmation is that someone takes a new name. It’s true—and weird—that while an individual chooses the name of a saint, in a much more significant way the saint chooses that individual, drawing them into the power of his or her life and witness. But two of the most popular names for young men and women in my three years of presiding at Confirmation—Sebastian and Teresa—reflect in a more universal way what it means to take this sacramentum, or sacred oath, and become a confirmed member of Christ's mystical body.

[surge]

I had left Mother Church at the age of 14, became an agnostic/atheist, verbally attacked the Church and priests. By the grace of God I returned to the faith 23 years later.

2 years ago I was confirmed with the name of St Thomas Aquinas, and recently God called me to become a Catechist… what an honor, very undeserving of it but forever grateful 🙏🏼 God is good and merciful ❤

[corncrackerkid]

I recently have been drawn to the Church after being a cradle Baptist for most of my life until a few weeks ago after experiencing Funeral Mass for my Cousin and I got the courage to reveal my wish to convert and am currently deciding and praying for my Confirmation Saint

[abnd]

You're so right. I was baptized last year and chose Therese of Lisieux as my confirmation saint. 😄 I've always suffered from depression and not feeling good enough, St Therese teaching us to do small things with alot of love just touched my soul.

[kellyb]

I chose St. Catherine of Sienna. My parents were married in St Catherine of Siena Church in Metairie, LA. When I received my confirmation, my mother had passed two years before. but my father was there and I remember seeing him on the walk into the church. I chose St Catherine in honor of my parents and their love. I think I was baptised there as well.

[tye]

I chose Balthazar, and I am deeply connected to it. He was one of the three magi who came to Christ after his birth on Christmas. One of the "three wise men" so to speak.

I thought of a lot of different names (was an adult, so I put a lot of thought into it).. I had read Confessions by Augustine and was seriously considering Augustine.

But ultimately, I chose Balthazar, a barely known saint who barely appears in the Bible. Like a few sentences basically. It was precisely because of the simplicity of his story that made me choose the name. He just followed the star to Christ. That's it. And brought a gift of myrrh! I was going through a really difficult time prior to finding returning to the Church, with so much stress and turmoil and racing thoughts and hassles... And I came to the conclusion that something extremely simple -- the opposite of Augustine's Confessions -- resonated with me most. There was something beautiful in just that simple, single detail we know about him. He followed the star to Christ. The attributes of diligence, patience, (and of course wisdom) are pretty good too.

Also more generally, the association with Christmas was important. It's an important holiday to me.

Anyways, what a lovely topic. I love hearing about people's confirmation names. It's really cool just seeing people have posted here over the years and reading about the names they chose.

[adams]

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. She had been canonized a saint a few years before my confirmation, and I was excited for our first native-born American saint, which was why I chose her. I headed off to college a couple years later looking forward to a career in engineering. Fast forward several decades, and I'm now the PA for Faith Formation in our parish, never having pursued that engineering career. I agree that saints choose us, and I am convinced that St. Elizabeth (a founder of Catholic education in the US) helped me to find my true vocation as a teacher and FF leader in my parish. Thank you, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton!

[anthony........]

Dear Bishop Barron. Thank you for everything you do. When John Paul 2nd passed away, I think I became a bit depressed spiritually. But then I found you :-). You are the John Paul II for our times. Thank you again. God bless. <><

[johnsantony]

Pray for the whole world through :
1. Go to Holy Mass daily .
2. Read the Holy Bible daily ( at least half an hour ) .
3. Daily Rosary .
4. Daily Rosary to Divine Mercy .

Thank You Jesus .
Let The Holy Fire of Gospel spread across the globe and light up all the Souls .

[maryagnes]

Wonderful video! It's so great to be reminded of the incredible power of the sacrament of Confirmation. I'm so proud to call St. Joan of Arc and St. Faustina my two Confirmation saints and my special friends in Heaven!

[ginnye]

In Mexico we do not choose a new name, but I find it fascinating! I went through Confirmation 2 years ago but now I'm wondering which saint name I would had chosen. A saint that has been present in my life since I was a little girl (I'll be 27 on the 12th, so she's been with me for over 17 years) is Therese of Lisieux, I admire everything about her... I guess she's my oatron saint!

[simoncrawley]

Utterly profound. The Bishop is a gift to us all.

[Rbreaux]

thinking mine was Veronica....my children choose to keep their baptismal names....reflecting the commitment we parents have toward their education and growth..the whole village of parents. #blessing

[garycottreau]

Thanks. I remember my confirmation and did take the sacrament seriously. At 60 I still do. Amen.

[ioannesmaria-augustini]

I'm getting Confirmed this coming Easter Season and I've decided to take the name of Saint Augustine of Hippo. His journey through life speaks volumes to me.

[Allzumenschliches]

Sadly, I missed out on Confirmation as my mind was poisoned by atheism, marxism and nihilism during my teen years. Thanks to the Divine Mercy of Christ the King I came back to being a practicing catholic and now I'm thinking about Confirmation names for next year. The saint I love most is St. Faustina but since I'm male I probably have to look for a different name.

[jesseholthaus]

I took the name Louis as my confirmation saint because he was the only one who looked cool to my 8th grade eyes. He fought in the crusades and the graphic I saw of him was a king adorned in armor. Since then, I’ve read up on him, visited the basilica in St. Louis and have come to deeply appreciate his spirituality and intercession.

[JayJay-luet]

Mine will be St. Dymphna. She has a sweet inspiring story. Patron saint of those with anxiety and troubled minds.

[Wrathchild]

Bishop, I just want to thank you for these wonderful videos. I attend a small Bible Study and more often than not the responsibility of teaching falls to me. Your videos have become a great resource for me for my Bible Study. Your videos have also helped me greatly on my own walk of Salvation. I cannot thank you enough

[Mrs.V]

I'm in the confirmation process. This has been amazing 👏

[jklucero]

I just viewed this video today. My son was Confirmed a couple of weeks ago. A week later we got on a discussion about his Confirmation, the Holy Spirit and his maturity in the Faith. The conversation turned to the saint he chose, Michael the Archangel, and how he chose that saint. He told me he was drawn to St. Michael because he is the head of God’s army and he defeated Satan. Like most 15 year old boys, the masculine, warrior persona of the Archangel, wielding his sword, appealed to him.

I told him he did not choose Michael, rather, Michael chose him. He looked at me a little bewildered.

My son played high school football, in the fall, and was the starting center for his team. He has a lean figure but his technique and ability to hike the football in the shotgun, almost flawlessly, won him that position. He did not want to play the “O-line”, he’d rather play linebacker on defense where he can tackle and attack. His devotion to the team, his sense of duty and his love of his brothers, however, insured he would play center to the best of his ability. He would make sure no one touches his teammates, ever.

It has been stated that the offensive lineman position in American football is the only position, in any sport, where the sole purpose is to protect teammates. They are the only protectors of the team. My son’s high school offense has a nickname and it's called “Troop”. Troop is the army that marches down the field and the center position is at the very front of that army.

I told my son, St. Michael chose him because they have this much in common. They both have met their foes on the field of battle. They both hold the position of Protector. They both stand fast to their duty and know the risks of failure. I said, he knows what my son is experiencing when he straps up his helmet and walks onto that football field and he will be there when he does the same for his Faith. I said, I do not doubt he was standing with you when his name was called in Confirmation as well, of course, as our God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.


My son was quite impressed with this telling of how he came about having St, Michael be his Confirmation name. He was quite impressed.