St. Matthew, Apostle, Feast Day Sept. 21st.
I had friends in my confirmation class who went for popular saints, the boys
liked St. Francis of Assisi and the girls liked The Little Flower.
A problem among my classmates (this was 1966) was that the girls didn't
know French, and "Thérèse" was too cuмbersome for them so they said,
"Teresa," and the Irish nuns were running around quietly urging them to
choose either "Thérèse" or "The Little Flower" because "Teresa" was a
different saint (St. Teresa of Avila). Years later, I had to wonder, why not just
let them say Teresa, because having St. Teresa for your patroness isn't a bad
thing - perhaps St. Teresa was moving them by grace - anyone ever think of
that possibility? After all, the Little Flower was named after St. Teresa of
Avila in the first place, and St. Teresa was a great inspiration for her. If it
could work then it could work today.
The boys didn't have any such problem with St. Francis. But I have to
wonder how many of my contemporaries have taken to using St. Francis as
the patron of the "environmental" movement, "animal rights" activism, or
"ecuмenical" enthusiasm (Assisi I-III)? I knew some who thought that St.
Francis was a priest (he was a brother monk, not a priest, but referred to as
"Seraphic Father" because he was the founder of a religious order, the
Franciscans), and others who did not know he was a stigmatist. Go figure.
It's important to learn about your patron saint, because that way you can
be more receptive to the graces that you would receive by his intercession.
I wanted to be different, and not 'run with the crowd' so as I recall, I was
the only one in my class to choose St. Matthew. I did it for two reasons, one
good and the other shallow. Since he is the author of one of the Gospels,
and an Apostle, you can't go wrong, no? But that was the second reason
for me. I didn't know much about the Gospels, other than what is read at
Mass on Sundays and what little was taught in religion class. The primary
reason I wanted Matthew was, it was the name of a good friend - who was
not Catholic! I do not know what influence my choice had on Matt, my friend,
for we long ago lost contact. Was he impressed with my choice? I think he
was, for I told him, but as I recall, he wasn't very interested in this Catholic
"sacrament" stuff. He may have asked his parents about it, I don't know.
Children are very much affected by the faith of their parents. It is not
unusual, in my experience, for a child to choose a patron saint because of
the approval of his parent(s).
Having one's father or mother think highly of them is a powerful motivator.
But in the end, over years, whenever I am looking for a Bible quote that fits
a particular situation, it is usually most easy to find one in the Gospel of St.
Matthew. Then about one in four times, there is a quote from one of the
other gospels that works better, usually St. John, then St. Luke and then St.
Mark. But if a child chooses any of those others, that doesn't mean he has
chosen a less important patron. Any canonized saint is a good choice for a
patron saint. That's what canonization is for. When a saint is canonized, you
can be certain that he (or she) is trustworthy as a patron saint. Otherwise,
he would never have been canonized.
Then along comes JPII -- I'm not qualified to write that chapter. In short, it
seems to me that the world is in for some serious problems if JPII ever gets
canonized. I would say "he cannot be canonized," but such strange things
have been going on lately. I think that if JPII is canonized, the bounds of
God's limits will have been overstepped. And at that point:
16 Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains: 17 And he that is on the housetop, let him not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 And he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat. 19 And woe to them that are with child, and that give suck in those days. 20 But pray that your flight be not in the winter, or on the sabbath. 21 For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. 22 And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say to you: Lo here is Christ, or there, do not believe him. 24 For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. 25 Behold I have told it to you, beforehand. (St. Mathew xxiv.)
Topic: Post your confirmation name and explain why you chose it! (Read 4846 times)