202. Being named after a saint

Being named after a saint

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 202

Ave Maria series

202  Why should Christians choose the names of saints at Baptism?

There are no better examples than the saints and no better helpers.  If my namesake is a saint, I have a friend with God.  [2156-2159, 2165-2167]

St. Lambert preached the gospel to the pagans in the lower stretches of the Meuse, in the area to the north, around 700 a.d. St. Lambert was a martyr for his defense of marital fidelity.  St. Lambert's tomb is now located in the present Liège Cathedral, Belgium.

What is in a name?  My Christian name is Don Lambert Peter Paul Bragg.  Have you ever heard of St. Lambert?  (His martyrdom is depicted above.)  Neither had Father Philip, then the Tony, Wisconsin parish priest who baptized me as an infant.  So, rather than dispute the issue with my parents, the priest quietly added “Peter” to my baptismal record.  It was a good choice because in later years I chose “Paul” as a confirmation name. “Don” means “lord” in Spanish. 

THE CHRISTIAN NAME

2156 The sacrament of Baptism is conferred "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."(Matthew 28:19.)⁸⁵ In Baptism, the Lord's name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord. The patron saint provides a model of charity; we are assured of his intercession. The "baptismal name" can also express a Christian mystery or Christian virtue. "Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment."(Codex Iuris Canonici, Can. 855.)⁸⁶  --Catechism of the Catholic Church

2157 The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties. --CCC

2158 God calls each one by name.(Compare Isaiah 43:1; John 10:3.)⁸⁷ Everyone's name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it. –CCC

2159 The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the kingdom, the mysterious and unique character of each person marked with God's name will shine forth in splendor. "To him who conquers . . . I will give a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it."(Revelation 2:17. )⁸⁸ "Then I looked, and Lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty- four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads."(Revelation 14:1.)⁸⁹ --CCC

IN BRIEF

2165 In Baptism, the Christian receives his name in the Church. Parents, godparents, and the pastor are to see that he be given a Christian name. The patron saint provides a model of charity and the assurance of his prayer. --CCC

2166 The Christian begins his prayers and activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." --CCC

2167 God calls each one by name (compare Isaiah 43:1).–CCC