Hebrews 6:10-12 - "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises."

The Holy Spirit has enabled Christians of every century to live like Jesus and become saints. We are ALL called to be saints. Saints are holy people who tried to follow Jesus with all their hearts. The saints were ordinary Christians, just like each of us. They relied on the Spirit and followed where the Spirit led. Saints have been men, women and children. Some were married and some were single; some were members of religious orders and some were laypersons. Saints have come from all parts of the world, from every age and from all walks of life. From heaven, saints continue to watch over and pray for the Church, for all of us. As Catholics, we remember and honor the saints because they show us how we can follow Jesus with all our hearts.

As a candidate for the Sacrament of Confirmation, you have two options concerning the choice of a Confirmation name (please remember to select a canonized saint and females will select a female saint, males will select a male saint):

1. Stay with your present Baptismal name (your regular first or middle name). If your baptismal name is that of a recognized and canonized saint of the Church, there is no need to select a new name for Confirmation. Using your baptismal name for Confirmation is preferred because it highlights the relationship between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. To stay with your baptismal name would demonstrate that you feel there has been a continual growth in your faith and you now wish to make this formal through Confirmation. You should honor this saint through prayer and imitation. 

2. Pick a saint’s name that would symbolize a new beginning in your faith life and a connection with that particular saint. This would be especially true if you feel that you have not been particularly strong in your faith and are now making a renewed commitment to your faith.  Your commitment would be symbolized with the taking of a new name to show that you are, in some ways, now a new person. This new name would be used after your present middle name and before your family name. The particular saint’s name chosen would represent the direction you feel your faith life is taking, or would represent a strength or attribute you feel you need. It is important and necessary to learn something about the saint you choose before you decide on that name. The option of taking a new name is not to be used because you like the sound of the name, how it fits with your other names, or because it is the name of a nice friend or relative.  You should honor this saint through prayer and imitation.

In writing your report below, be sure to consider such things as:

• What was your saint’s given name, if different from his/her ‘saint’ name?
• What century did your saint live in? (provide exact dates if available) 
• What city and country did your saint live in? 
• What was your saint’s occupation? 
• When does the Catholic Church celebrate your saint’s feast day? 
• For whom is your saint the patron saint? 
• How did your saint live his/her life, follow Christ and make decisions to do God’s will, even when it was unpopular? 
• How was the saint like Jesus? 
• How did the saint show a heart for or help others during his/her life? 
• What contribution did your saint make to the Church during his/her lifetime? 
• Name at least one virtue characterized by your saint’s life. 
• Explain how your saint’s life characterized this virtue. 
• Why did you choose this saint?  

You may want to type your report into a WORD document first as you cannot save your work here and return to it.  When you're ready, complete the form below and click submit to send your completed report directly to Sr. Rosario
 

Year 2 - Due no later than January 28th/29th

If you have any questions, please contact Sr. Rosario sister@olhoc.org