Full Version: What do you want your religious name to be?
I would want to be called Sister Bernadette.
i am not sure what i would want my religious name to be assuming i get one. I would have to pray about it alot as i like many names. 
There are so many I would like I can't make up my mind. I've decided I am going to ask the community to choose.
QUOTE(zabbazooey @ Jul 25 2005, 03:09 PM)
I would want to be called Sister Bernadette.
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What is a good question, but why should also follow shouldn't it?
So why do you want to be called sister Bernadette?
I'd have to say Sister Marie-Therese. In honor of both our Lady and St. Therese de Lisieux both of whom I have big devotions to. But since I've got them both working on my vocation to the married life.....I'm not going to be able to use it for the Religious life. BUT I am going to have a daughter someday and name HER Marie-Therese in honor of our Lady and St. Therese. (Well....if God decides to give me a little girl that is!!!)
~Jen
~Jen
Br. Elijah of the Little Flower.
But first I have to figure out if this is in my cards, so to speak.
But first I have to figure out if this is in my cards, so to speak.
I don't know... I have several in mind that kind of make me grin ear to ear, and then my family asks what the heck is wrong with me and I jump back to the real world. lol. But here they are:
Sr. John Paul
umm... need I say more?
Sr. Joan Maximilian (That's my favorite name if I were to have a daughter) After the two rockin' saints Joan of Arc and Maximilian Kolbe
Sr. Francis Madonna (After St. Francis de Sales--whose spirituality I love very much... he's such a cool saint and Madonna of the Precious Blood, because I am very devoted to the Precious Blood, and I'm trying to love Our Lady more and more)
I've never told anyone those...
Sr. John Paul
umm... need I say more? Sr. Joan Maximilian (That's my favorite name if I were to have a daughter) After the two rockin' saints Joan of Arc and Maximilian Kolbe
Sr. Francis Madonna (After St. Francis de Sales--whose spirituality I love very much... he's such a cool saint and Madonna of the Precious Blood, because I am very devoted to the Precious Blood, and I'm trying to love Our Lady more and more)
I've never told anyone those...
Is it only some orders that allow you to change your name?
It seems active sisters often don't... I think that is too bad.
I mean, I'd love to make Jennifer a saint's name of course...
But I need all the help from some good saints that I can get. 
Plus... is it considered a bad thing for a woman to take a man's name? It's just, I'm more drawn to male saints... I guess because of their pastoral nature maybe. It's not like I resent being a woman or not being able to be a priest.... but i heard once that it's nuns like that that tend to pick masculine names. Idk...
It seems active sisters often don't... I think that is too bad.
I mean, I'd love to make Jennifer a saint's name of course...
But I need all the help from some good saints that I can get. Plus... is it considered a bad thing for a woman to take a man's name? It's just, I'm more drawn to male saints... I guess because of their pastoral nature maybe. It's not like I resent being a woman or not being able to be a priest.... but i heard once that it's nuns like that that tend to pick masculine names. Idk...
my order doesn't take names -- but if it did, it would be Fr. Peter Mary
QUOTE(zabbazooey @ Jul 25 2005, 01:09 PM)
I would want to be called Sister Bernadette.
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St. Bernadette was cool. One of my best friends is like, in love with her. She wanted it to be her confirmation name, but her sister already had it so she went with Rita. Why do you like it?
The Mercedarians don't take names? I thought they must have. Maybe I have the ad of theirs mixed up with someone else.
Ha ha... I have thought about this and created a small list... in fact I have a blog entry about this! 
I think I may go with Sister Mary Anthony, but that is if Mother Abbess chooses it for me... Here's my little snippet from my blog about this:
I think I may go with Sister Mary Anthony, but that is if Mother Abbess chooses it for me... Here's my little snippet from my blog about this:QUOTE
So, lately I have been thinking about what name I would take as a Sister, and I was trying to think of Saints that have played a role somewhere in my life. I have some up with quite a few, so I might as well share the list that I have so far! Also, I wish to honor Our Blessed Mother with my name, so all my choices will begin as Sister Mary ... So, here is the list of what I have come up with so far. I will most likely explain the relevance of the Saint later as I do not have much time to spend explaining them all right now.
* Sister Mary Helen
* Sister Mary Leo
* Sister Mary Ambrose (actually, this one just sounded pretty to me)
* Sister Mary Luke
* Sister Mary Andrew
* Sister Mary Therese (or Teresa)
* Sister Mary Louise (can I take my middle name as my name I wonder...)
Ha ha... I will definatly have to shorten this list quite a bit before I enter! Also, there is the matter of the title that I will take along with my name. I have a few ideas, but the first few are my favorites based on my favorite devotions.
* of the Passion
* of the Precious Blood
* of the Five Wounds
* of the Sacred Heart
Now, the choice of the name I choose is not up to me at all, rather it is left up to Mother Abess who will make the choice from a few names and titles that I will suggest to her along with reasoning. But even with that, she may choose something entirely different from what I have suggested to her! It is all in God's hands though, and I must rely on Him rather than myself even in such trivial matters as these.
* Sister Mary Helen
* Sister Mary Leo
* Sister Mary Ambrose (actually, this one just sounded pretty to me)
* Sister Mary Luke
* Sister Mary Andrew
* Sister Mary Therese (or Teresa)
* Sister Mary Louise (can I take my middle name as my name I wonder...)
Ha ha... I will definatly have to shorten this list quite a bit before I enter! Also, there is the matter of the title that I will take along with my name. I have a few ideas, but the first few are my favorites based on my favorite devotions.
* of the Passion
* of the Precious Blood
* of the Five Wounds
* of the Sacred Heart
Now, the choice of the name I choose is not up to me at all, rather it is left up to Mother Abess who will make the choice from a few names and titles that I will suggest to her along with reasoning. But even with that, she may choose something entirely different from what I have suggested to her! It is all in God's hands though, and I must rely on Him rather than myself even in such trivial matters as these.
QUOTE(zunshynn @ Jul 25 2005, 08:12 PM)
I mean, I'd love to make Jennifer a saint's name of course... But I need all the help from some good saints that I can get.
Plus... is it considered a bad thing for a woman to take a man's name? It's just, I'm more drawn to male saints... I guess because of their pastoral nature maybe. It's not like I resent being a woman or not being able to be a priest.... but i heard once that it's nuns like that that tend to pick masculine names. Idk...
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But I need all the help from some good saints that I can get. Plus... is it considered a bad thing for a woman to take a man's name? It's just, I'm more drawn to male saints... I guess because of their pastoral nature maybe. It's not like I resent being a woman or not being able to be a priest.... but i heard once that it's nuns like that that tend to pick masculine names. Idk...
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Ohhh I'd love to make Jennifer a saint's name too!!!
I don't think it's a bad thing for a woman to take a man's name. Many men have taken women's names (actually one of the only one's I can think of is many saint's taken the name of Mary). But I'm not too sure on the "rules" of how to go about that. If there are any that is!
~Jen
QUOTE(mariology21 @ Jul 25 2005, 07:55 PM)
Ohhh I'd love to make Jennifer a saint's name too!!!
That makes three of us!
If I could suggest names, my favorite saints are St. Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta), St. Maria Goretti, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Bl. Mother Teresa, and S.t Rose Philippine Duchesne. My mom said she isn't too keen on me picking guy saints, plus Francis [Francesca] is already taken in my community, and St. John Bosco's feast day is on my birthday, so he's already one of my patrons!
Out of all of those, I would really love to be named after St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. I grew up in St. Charles, MO, not too far from where her remains rest (my first street was named Duchesne!). I love everything about her life, and it would be really cool to adopt her as my patroness and model for religious life.
QUOTE(jgirl @ Jul 25 2005, 06:38 PM)
Out of all of those, I would really love to be named after St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. I grew up in St. Charles, MO, not too far from where her remains rest (my first street was named Duchesne!). I love everything about her life, and it would be really cool to adopt her as my patroness and model for religious life.
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Ooh... that's a lovely name. I don't know anything about her though... I love Edith Stein! Is Gianna Beretta Molla the one that died in childbirth rather than abort her baby?
FutureNun, I like your names I like Mary Leo and Mary Ambrose and Mary Luke myself... And I am certainly fond of "of the Precious Blood" ("of the Passion" is wonderful too.) Oh heck... they're all wonderful.
QUOTE(mariology21 @ Jul 25 2005, 07:31 PM)
I'd have to say Sister Marie-Therese. In honor of both our Lady and St. Therese de Lisieux both of whom I have big devotions to. But since I've got them both working on my vocation to the married life.....I'm not going to be able to use it for the Religious life. BUT I am going to have a daughter someday and name HER Marie-Therese in honor of our Lady and St. Therese. (Well....if God decides to give me a little girl that is!!!)
~Jen
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~Jen
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i don't mean to sound weird... I've read a lot about discerning a call to religious life... but how do you discern a call to married life? No one really talks about that?
QUOTE(photosynthesis @ Jul 25 2005, 06:47 PM)
i don't mean to sound weird... I've read a lot about discerning a call to religious life... but how do you discern a call to married life? No one really talks about that?
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You're right... and they should. It's just as wonderful a vocation! The same way you'd discern religious life I suppose: prayer, looking at God's gifts in your life, prayer, talking to married couples, talking to other people, prayer, and oh yes... prayer!
QUOTE(zunshynn @ Jul 25 2005, 10:52 PM)
You're right... and they should. It's just as wonderful a vocation! The same way you'd discern religious life I suppose: prayer, looking at God's gifts in your life, prayer, talking to married couples, talking to other people, prayer, and oh yes... prayer!
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but discerning married life is very specific. because if God calls you to married life, he calls you to marry a specific guy. sometimes I doubt that nice Christian guys actually exist. And the ones that do exist either are going to be priests, already dating someone or they wouldn't want to date me.
So it's like...I know I have a desire for this vocation, but I'm not sure if it desires me.
Whereas whenever I talk to religious communities, they're more than overjoyed to be around me.
Religious life likes me, but I don't think married life likes me.
I love St. Bernadette because she is so humble and sweet. I look up to her a lot, she was so plain and Our Lady chose her. I just love her!
QUOTE(photosynthesis @ Jul 25 2005, 08:47 PM)
i don't mean to sound weird... I've read a lot about discerning a call to religious life... but how do you discern a call to married life? No one really talks about that?
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I think I am about to take the award for weird...
I have been thinking about getting remarried or staying single or becoming a nun. And this is how I decided I wanted to become a nun.
OKAY HERE COMES THE WEIRD.
I imagined myself as a microscope (you know how they focus) I looked at all my options and I decided I wanted to focus my love for God into the world thru the religious life
Some advice I have also been given that may sound simplisitc but it isn't if you do it right is FOLLOW YOUR HEART and DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU DIE.
The last one means when you are on your death bed looking back over your life where do you want your bed to be. My grandfather taught me that years ago. And it has really come in handy during my discernment.
I think this advice applies to all our life choices, not just choosing the religious life.
Tee hee....I was thinking about this the other day.....I think I've narrowed it down....
Sr. Maria Benedicta
Sr. Mary Chiara
Sr. Ana Marie
Sr. Cecilia Marie.
And the titles that I like...
of His Most Precious Blood
of His Divine Mercy
of the Annunciation
of the Holy Rosary
of the Good Shepherd
Well yeah.....but I'll let them decide.
Sr. Maria Benedicta
Sr. Mary Chiara
Sr. Ana Marie
Sr. Cecilia Marie.
And the titles that I like...
of His Most Precious Blood
of His Divine Mercy
of the Annunciation
of the Holy Rosary
of the Good Shepherd
Well yeah.....but I'll let them decide.
QUOTE(memtherose @ Jul 25 2005, 08:06 PM)
And the titles that I like...
of His Most Precious Blood
of His Divine Mercy
of the Annunciation
of the Holy Rosary
of the Good Shepherd
Well yeah.....but I'll let them decide.
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of His Most Precious Blood
of His Divine Mercy
of the Annunciation
of the Holy Rosary
of the Good Shepherd
Well yeah.....but I'll let them decide.
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Do they all have titles? I hadn't thought about that.
I like either Sr. John Paul of the Passion, Sr. Joan Maximilian of the Precious Blood or the Passion, or Sr. Francis Madonna of the Passion.
awesome choices!!!
QUOTE(zunshynn @ Jul 26 2005, 04:11 PM)
Do they all have titles? I hadn't thought about that.
I like either Sr. John Paul of the Passion, Sr. Joan Maximilian of the Precious Blood or the Passion, or Sr. Francis Madonna of the Passion.
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I like either Sr. John Paul of the Passion, Sr. Joan Maximilian of the Precious Blood or the Passion, or Sr. Francis Madonna of the Passion.
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I don't think so. I think its mostly contemplative communities that have titles although, correct me if I'm wrong. The only active community I have heard of that take titles are the Sister Servants (of the Eternal Word) But again, I may be wrong.
i think you can take titles if God wants you to have them.
Though overall i like Ignatius (ignatio) of the spirit.
Though overall i like Ignatius (ignatio) of the spirit.
Well I want to be Sister Mary Martin ( let them choose of course they can choose whatever they believe is God's will for me)
and for my title I dont know I would like it to be something to be with Mary so I was thinking about :
of the Immacculate(sp?) Conception
of Our Lady of Guadelupe (i dont know if trhis one is even allowed but i would love it)
of the Annuciation
of the Assumption
those are my favorites for titles
God Bless and Mary keep
Karin
and for my title I dont know I would like it to be something to be with Mary so I was thinking about :
of the Immacculate(sp?) Conception
of Our Lady of Guadelupe (i dont know if trhis one is even allowed but i would love it)
of the Annuciation
of the Assumption
those are my favorites for titles
God Bless and Mary keep
Karin
I might change my mind and ask for Sister Rita in honor of my sister who died.
After which Martin, karin? Martin de Porres?
After which Martin, karin? Martin de Porres?
it is mostly contemplative orders that take names
QUOTE(zabbazooey @ Jul 26 2005, 05:36 PM)
it is mostly contemplative orders that take names
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Maybe......I don't know about that, but I am pretty sure that very few active communities take Titles....(with a particular devotion etc)
i know the carmelites of the divine heart of jesus take names....they are semi contemplative...
QUOTE(jgirl @ Jul 25 2005, 08:38 PM)
If I could suggest names, my favorite saints are St. Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta)
A sister at the PCPAs received the name Sr. Maria Benedicta because Edith Stein was her favorite saint as well.
QUOTE(Totus Tuus @ Jul 26 2005, 09:25 AM)
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I know the title is odd, but I just feel like that's what it might be.
I know the title is odd, but I just feel like that's what it might be.
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No I think it is beautiful and unique. It is the first time I have ever heard it.
I have researched over 36 communites cloistered and active. And there is no rule to the name thing. Some active are still TAKING NAMES some cloistered are not. It all depends on the community.
I HOPE YOU GET THAT NAME....absolutely gorgeous.
QUOTE(Totus Tuus @ Jul 26 2005, 07:25 AM)
[mod]edit[/mod].
I know the title is odd, but I just feel like that's what it might be.
At the PCPA's, you submit three names, and Mother Abbess may or may not choose from that list. Other names I've considered are Sr. Marie John Paul and Sr. Marie Bernadine.
I know the title is odd, but I just feel like that's what it might be.
At the PCPA's, you submit three names, and Mother Abbess may or may not choose from that list. Other names I've considered are Sr. Marie John Paul and Sr. Marie Bernadine.
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The Precious Feet of Jesus... how lovely! Not at all odd. The feet which took him throughout the world sharing the good news, and that must have been so pained as he walked barefoot upon Calvary as he carried his cross, and then were dreadfully punctured with nails... I think it's the smaller aspects of Jesus' life, that many do not often notice that are so important to be devoted to...
QUOTE(Totus Tuus @ Jul 26 2005, 10:25 AM)
[mod]edit[/mod].
I know the title is odd, but I just feel like that's what it might be.
At the PCPA's, you submit three names, and Mother Abbess may or may not choose from that list. Other names I've considered are Sr. Marie John Paul and Sr. Marie Bernadine.
I know the title is odd, but I just feel like that's what it might be.
At the PCPA's, you submit three names, and Mother Abbess may or may not choose from that list. Other names I've considered are Sr. Marie John Paul and Sr. Marie Bernadine.
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What a lovely name!! It's not odd, it's beautiful!
I think that's a beautiful name. I have been partial to the name Sister Mary Magdalene myself. I once heard the PCPA's sing about St. Mary Magdalene on Life on the Rock once.- It really touched me. It spoke about how Mary Magdalene broke the alabaster jar and gave everything to Jesus (even though she was criticized for it) and how we should not be afraid to give Jesus our all. After that, I have had a very special place for this saint in my heart.
The order I'm thinking of entering with The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus let you choose a name or keep your baptismal name and add a saint's name. For me it'll be either Maria Emily for St. Maria Goretti or Maria Kolbe for St. Maria Goretti and Maximillan Kolbe.
Ohhh... I have ideas but they could very well change! These are tops right now:
Sr. Imelda Therese
Sr. Catherine Imelda
Sr. Imelda Catherine
Agnes and Agatha as well as others could easily be thrown into the mix, as well.
Sr. Imelda Therese
Sr. Catherine Imelda
Sr. Imelda Catherine
Agnes and Agatha as well as others could easily be thrown into the mix, as well.
QUOTE(Totus Tuus @ Jul 26 2005, 09:25 AM)
At the PCPA's, you submit three names, and Mother Abbess may or may not choose from that list. [right][snapback]659412[/snapback][/right]
I think that's how it is for the SMME's, too. They give Mother a list of three, in order of preference. I'm not sure if Mother can pick a different name than what's on the list of three, but I suppose that she could.
QUOTE(FutureSoror @ Jul 26 2005, 02:09 PM)
Ohhh... I have ideas but they could very well change! These are tops right now:
Sr. Imelda Therese
Sr. Catherine Imelda
Sr. Imelda Catherine
Agnes and Agatha as well as others could easily be thrown into the mix, as well.
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Sr. Imelda Therese
Sr. Catherine Imelda
Sr. Imelda Catherine
Agnes and Agatha as well as others could easily be thrown into the mix, as well.
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Imelda... how pretty! Why that?
Blessed Imelda Lambertini was a young Dominican nun (and by young I mean Eleven years old) in the 1300s who wanted to receive the Eucharist very badly ever since she was five. Children weren't allowed to receive at that time, though. She grew in holiness and longing for Our Lord, hoping that if she proved herself the nuns would allow her to receive.
One day after Mass, a Host from the Tabernacle came and miraculously floated above her head, and she adored it in ecstacy. The nuns took it as a sign that the Lord wanted her to receive Him, so they called the priest.
He administered Holy Communion, and she shortly afterward in ecstacy of Joy.
Besides her gloriously beautiful story and connection with the Eucharist, I love the idea of having a child-saint as a patron, and the name is just so pretty!
Oh and also, she's Dominican, and I'm joining a Dominican commnunity.
One day after Mass, a Host from the Tabernacle came and miraculously floated above her head, and she adored it in ecstacy. The nuns took it as a sign that the Lord wanted her to receive Him, so they called the priest.
He administered Holy Communion, and she shortly afterward in ecstacy of Joy.
Besides her gloriously beautiful story and connection with the Eucharist, I love the idea of having a child-saint as a patron, and the name is just so pretty!
Oh and also, she's Dominican, and I'm joining a Dominican commnunity.
The order I am looking at doesn't take new names....
Yes after Martin De Porres! I LOVE him!!! He rocks my socks!
Blessed Imelda....She's so awesome!!!
I love Bl. Imelda. She was really a role model for me when I received my first Communion.
QUOTE(All For Jesus @ Jul 26 2005, 10:28 AM)
I think that's a beautiful name. I have been partial to the name Sister Mary Magdalene myself. I once heard the PCPA's sing about St. Mary Magdalene on Life on the Rock once.- It really touched me. It spoke about how Mary Magdalene broke the alabaster jar and gave everything to Jesus (even though she was criticized for it) and how we should not be afraid to give Jesus our all. After that, I have had a very special place for this saint in my heart.
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Oh wow! Do you remember when that episode was so I can look it up online? Mother Angelica seems to be really devoted to St. Mary Magdalene.
QUOTE(zunshynn @ Jul 26 2005, 10:16 AM)
The Precious Feet of Jesus... how lovely! Not at all odd. The feet which took him throughout the world sharing the good news, and that must have been so pained as he walked barefoot upon Calvary as he carried his cross, and then were dreadfully punctured with nails... I think it's the smaller aspects of Jesus' life, that many do not often notice that are so important to be devoted to...
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That's such a great way to put it. I couldn't agree with you more about focusing on the smaller aspects. That has really been a big thing in helping me get to know Jesus better. Sometimes looking at the big picture all the time can get so overwhelming for me.
the orders I am looking at let you keep your name the only one is the MFVA.
I would take Damien Joseph
I would take Damien Joseph
QUOTE(FutureSoror @ Jul 26 2005, 04:13 PM)
I think that's how it is for the SMME's, too. They give Mother a list of three, in order of preference. I'm not sure if Mother can pick a different name than what's on the list of three, but I suppose that she could.
Yes, Mother can choose a different name if she likes.
Well, I really have only two names right now... but I have the next year to do a LOT of praying on this topic!!Sr. Augustine Marie - St. Augustine's story is so awesome, his Confessions are awesome, and his "late" conversion is so inspiring! Among many other reasons.
Sr. Xavier Marie - I absolutely ADORE St. Francis Xavier - his renunciation of his Spanish nobility and embrace of poverty in complete charity. As well as his ardent missionary spirit... yay! This is definitely my #1 choice right now.
So, how would you pronounce "Xavier" if that becomes your name? I have heard three different pronunciations: One that sounds like "Haviay", one that sounds like "Zaveyer", and one that sounds like "X-avier".
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