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examinnfaith
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| Location: | Oregon USA |
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| First Name: | examinnfaith | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Congregational, Episcopal, Lutheran, Nazarene, Baptist, Faith Center, Interdenominational, |
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Posted: Mon Mar 12th, 2007 12:42 am |
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I trust that if this is the wrong place to post, one of the excellent moderators will move this to it's rightful place. Thanks!
Our priest who teaches our RCIA class has told us that we need to choose a saint in whose name we will be confirmed(?) at the Vigil Mass. After much prayer and meditation on this matter over the fall and winter, I believe I know who the Lord would have me to choose. My choice would be Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
Now to my question. I am not sure that a Blessed is a Saint. I have read about beatification vs canonization on New Advent, but I am still confused. When I asked a question regarding Blessed Teresa, the people in my RCIA class said that she is a saint. But I do not find her referred to as Saint Teresa anywhere that I look.
May she become my 'saint'? I am eagerly awaiting Easter Vigil!
Thanks for all your help. An aside: I made it through my lifetime confession with a great sense of healing and peace. Praise be to the Father. AND thanks for the role you played in answering my questions and making me feel more prepared.
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Mon Mar 12th, 2007 01:36 am |
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I’d say it’s close enough. Canonization as a saint is merely a formality to extend recognition of that person’s already assured holiness and blessedness to the entire Church instead of only one region. But you should check with the priest to make sure, in case he sees things differently.
Like you, I have always experienced peace and healing from the sacrament of penance. The forgiveness of sins is like a great burden being lifted from our shoulders.
David
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BodRod
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| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
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Posted: Mon Mar 12th, 2007 06:28 am |
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| My understanding is that "Blessed" means she is on the way to being declared a "Saint" but she has not been declared a saint as yet, by Rome. Her case has been opened and Rome and others are collecting supportive data on her life and the help she has provided to us since her death. It does not mean she is not in heaven and can hear and help us. Rather, she has just not yet been declared a saint by Rome.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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AggieCatholic
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Posted: Mon Mar 12th, 2007 03:44 pm |
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The canonization process is thus:
When the official cause for sainthood of a person is opened by their diocese they are referred to as, "Servant of God."
After the initial investigation by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is affirmed by the Holy Father they are beatified and referred to as, "Blessed."
Upon successful exhaustive examination over many years they are canonized and made a, "Saint."
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What part of, "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" don't you understand?
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Mar 12th, 2007 08:51 pm |
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The only thing that separates a person who is beatified (a "Blessed") from being declared a saint is a miracle.
Once a person is declared a "Servant of God" an investigation is conducted on the diocesan level. The results of that investigation are forwarded to Rome, along with evidence of a miracle. If the investigation and the miracle is accepted, the person is beatified. (I'm being very simple here; it is normally a rather long, complex process.) When a person is beatified, the file goes back up on the shelf pending another miracle, which must take place after the beatification. That miracle must be judged separately from the first one. For example, if a person has a miraculous cure of cancer that was in evidence the day before the beatification, it gets thrown out. When an additional miracle is certified, it is presented to the pope, who has the final say. If it meets with his approval, then the canonization takes place and the person earns the title of "saint".
A name is not directly associated with a saint. My confirmation name is John. I have chosen to relate that to John the Evangelist, but I could have just as easily chosen John of the Cross or one of many other saints named John. If you choose the name Teresa or Theresa, you could choose as your patron Theresa of Avila, Theresa the Little Flower, Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, or Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa). There are probably more.
The requirement is not to choose a "saint's name" although that's the way it's usually expressed. The requirement is to chose a "Christian" name, so names such as Faith, Charity, Hope, Chastity, Christian, etc., are also acceptable.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Mar 12th, 2007 08:52 pm |
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The only thing that separates a person who is beatified (a "Blessed") from being declared a saint is a miracle.
Once a person is declared a "Servant of God" an investigation is conducted on the diocesan level. The results of that investigation are forwarded to Rome, along with evidence of a miracle. If the investigation and the miracle is accepted, the person is beatified. (I'm being very simple here; it is normally a rather long, complex process.) When a person is beatified, the file goes back up on the shelf pending another miracle, which must take place after the beatification. That miracle must be judged separately from the first one. For example, if a person has a miraculous cure of cancer that was in evidence the day before the beatification, it gets thrown out. When an additional miracle is certified, it is presented to the pope, who has the final say. If it meets with his approval, then the canonization takes place and the person earns the title of "saint".
A name is not directly associated with a saint. My confirmation name is John. I have chosen to relate that to John the Evangelist, but I could have just as easily chosen John of the Cross or one of many other saints named John. If you choose the name Teresa or Theresa, you could choose as your patron Theresa of Avila, Theresa the Little Flower, Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, or Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa). There are probably more.
The requirement is not to choose a "saint's name" although that's the way it's usually expressed. The requirement is to chose a "Christian" name, so names such as Faith, Charity, Hope, Chastity, Christian, etc., are also acceptable.
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examinnfaith
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| Joined: | Sun Nov 19th, 2006 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 12:52 am |
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I knew you would know the answers and I also knew I had probably posted in the wrong spot. (Sorry, Rick. I may never get this right. )
I do appreciate the explanations. It is interesting to me that the presentation from folks on the forum is often clearer than the answers to questions at RCIA. I wonder if that is because people have more time to think when they give an answer here, as opposed to 'on their feet' at RCIA. I did not know we were choosing a christian name. We have always been told to hurry along with choosing our saints' name!! Our deadline is this week's class!
So, I think will go ahead with Teresa, as the leading of the Spirit through meditation has brought it to me more than once. Again, thank you for your help.
I am a bit nervous over the process of confirmation. Didn't I see you explain it somewhere here on the forum, Rick? I couldn't find it when I was searching last night.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 01:08 am |
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examinnfaith wrote: I knew you would know the answers and I also knew I had probably posted in the wrong spot. (Sorry, Rick. I may never get this right.)
Not a problem. That's why David and I make the big bucks! 
I do appreciate the explanations. It is interesting to me that the presentation from folks on the forum is often clearer than the answers to questions at RCIA. I wonder if that is because people have more time to think when they give an answer here, as opposed to 'on their feet' at RCIA.
Actually, it's probably because we have answered similar questions many times in the forum, as RCIA catechists, and in other venues. David and I have both been doing this for a very long time. I've been in RCIA longer than some of our forum members have been alive!
I am a bit nervous over the process of confirmation. Didn't I see you explain it somewhere here on the forum, Rick? I couldn't find it when I was searching last night.
We have explained aspects of it many times. The process is very simple. You will basically stand before the bishop or priest and he will anoint your forehead with oil after asking your name (your Confirmation name, that is). He will say a couple of very simple things which you will answer. If I remember correctly, your exact answers will be "Teresa" and "Thanks be to God" or something very similar to that. Your RCIA team will advise you the exact words.
Before being confirmed, you will need to make a profession of faith. The typical language is, "I accept and believe all that the Catholic Church teaches and believes." Your parish may use slightly different wording, or they may have you recite the Creed, or they may ask it in question form.
After that, you'll participate in the mass and receive Eucharist along with the rest of the congregation.
Does that answer your questions?
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examinnfaith
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| Location: | Oregon USA |
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 11:38 am |
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Yes, completely. I am a very planned, ordered person in my life, especially when facing new things. It makes me anxious when I just show up and we 'go with the flow'. I have done that with 38 years of teaching primary children, but I am not comfortable with 'whatever' when I face new things as an adult.
Thanks for the forum, your great responses and the time you give. God truly does use both you and David for your kind, honest openess. Not just for me, but for many. (I read alot more than I post.  )
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Annie
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 01:49 pm |
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cajunrick wrote: The requirement is not to choose a "saint's name" although that's the way it's usually expressed. The requirement is to chose a "Christian" name, so names such as Faith, Charity, Hope, Chastity, Christian, etc., are also acceptable.
I didn't know that. I actually broke this "rule" too, as I chose Julian of Norwich because I felt an affinity to her for various reasons.
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Annie
Ora et labora
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 04:05 pm |
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Annie wrote: cajunrick wrote: The requirement is not to choose a "saint's name" although that's the way it's usually expressed. The requirement is to chose a "Christian" name, so names such as Faith, Charity, Hope, Chastity, Christian, etc., are also acceptable.
I didn't know that. I actually broke this "rule" too, as I chose Julian of Norwich because I felt an affinity to her for various reasons.
I think I may have made myself unclear. Any saint's name is automatically a Christian name, as are names involving Christian virtues such as Faith, Chastity, Christian, Hope, etc., and also variations of spelling of those names (Christina, Kristin, etc.).
Names that would not be considered Christian names would include Mohammed, Lucifer, Zeus, etc. These are names that do not bring Christian values to mind. Julian (Julia, Gillian, Julianne, etc.) is a perfectly acceptable Christian name.
Finding a saint for whom you feel an affinity is actually the ideal way to chose a Confirmation name. I know one young adult who was admitted to the Church along with her parents, and she insisted on being called "Elizabeth Ann Seton". When the priest confirming her called her "Elizabeth" she corrected him. Her affinity with that saint was so strong that she wanted it clear to the assembly that she was not merely choosing the name "Elizabeth" but the specific patroness Elizabeth Ann Seton.
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Annie
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 04:09 pm |
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cajunrick wrote: Annie wrote: cajunrick wrote: The requirement is not to choose a "saint's name" although that's the way it's usually expressed. The requirement is to chose a "Christian" name, so names such as Faith, Charity, Hope, Chastity, Christian, etc., are also acceptable.
I didn't know that. I actually broke this "rule" too, as I chose Julian of Norwich because I felt an affinity to her for various reasons.
I think I may have made myself unclear. Any saint's name is automatically a Christian name, as are names involving Christian virtues such as Faith, Chastity, Christian, Hope, etc., and also variations of spelling of those names (Christina, Kristin, etc.).
We (Fr. John and I) felt like we were breaking the rule because Julian of Norwich wasn't a saint or a blessed. She WAS an anchoress though and very interesting!
____________________
Annie
Ora et labora
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 04:34 pm |
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Annie wrote: We (Fr. John and I) felt like we were breaking the rule because Julian of Norwich wasn't a saint or a blessed. She WAS an anchoress though and very interesting!
But since you are choosing a name and not a specific saint, it doesn't matter. On one list I counted 15 saints named "Julia" and 38 saints named "Julian" plus several Juliana's and other derivations. Julian of Norwich is included on the list of patron saints at Catholic Forum, even though she was never formally beatified. You can read the CF listing here.
So Julian/Julia/Juliana would definitely be considered a Christian name.
Last edited on Tue Mar 13th, 2007 04:35 pm by
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