I know we did this a long time ago, but I think it's really fun to see what names you all would pick for a religious name. Please state the name you like and why you would have that name.

Marie Josephine - For the Blessed Mother and her husband, Joseph who is the "patron of my vocation"

Mary Lawrence - For the Blessed Mother and Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite lay brother (1605-1691), who is well-known for his deep contemplation in his continual "practice of the presence of God."

Mary Margaret - For the Blessed Mother and St. Margaret of Cortona

Marie Thomas - for the blessed mother and my favorite saint, Thomas Aquinas

If i could choose my religious name it would be my confirmation name/saint.

My Confirmation name is sixtina after St. sixtus II who was beheaded for holding mass services under grounds when it was forbidden. The name Sixtina has a different story. A FSGM Sister by the name of Sixtina who became Mother Sixtina, started the communties mission in Brazil. Mother Sixtina later found out she had cancer and died. Well, the Sisters today still tlak about her and its even mentioned on the website...a friend of mine took that name as her religious name but i was told that the Sisters didnt like that idea...but she was given that name anyways....so for me its more personal and then more as a rememberance of the sisters.

Sister Mary Anthony The Blessed Mother and the patron of my vocation

Well I like my name, Lauren Mary. BUT if I had to pick a religious name it would be after the Blessed Saint Faustina because of my devotion to The Divine Mercy and besides, I love her story. She was also cannonized on my birthday in 2000 (although I was born waaaayyy before that).

Well, I don't know what my vocation is but if I was to become a sister I would choose:
Marie Dominic - Marie after the Blessed Mother and Dominic after my favorite saint Dominic Savio.

Maria Elizabeth of the Indwelling Trinity. After our Blessed Mother, of course, and my favourite Blessed!! Bl Elizabeth of the Trinity is amazing, and I love it how, the Trinity dwells in each of us!!

For my perpetual professed name I would like it to be

Sister Josepha MaterEucharistiae O.P.

For my novice name

Something liike Sister Geneveive Marie

Postulant name

Sister Amanda Therese

*shrugs*

Which order are you hoping to enter? You switch names at the different stages of formation?

I was wondering that as well. I will receive my full religious name when I receive the habit, God, in His great mercy, willing.

I can't fathom my name right now. So many have popped into my head.

My favorite saints are Teresa of Avila, Teresa of the Andes and Mary Magdalene de Pazzi.

I love the way the Italians say her name.... Maria Maddalena de Pazzi, so I was thinking of Maddalena Maria of the Sacred Passion (or of the Divine Mercy, I'm not sure. . .). I do know that you suggest 3 names and Mother may choose one of yours, after praying about it, or she may not.

Yours in Jesus,

Denise

Ave + Maria

I used to be worried about this, because I don't have any really special devotion to a saint to make the choice obvious, yet I don't want to "get stuck" with some generic religious name.

This past weekend, however, some girls and I went down to visit "my nuns" down at the Dominican Monastery of St. Jude. (Ora pro me!) Since I had asked how they got their name, they all told the stories of the various ways they received their religious names. One sister was destined for the name Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart--she was born on the feast of the Sacred Heart, grown up with a huge devotion, then entered the monastery on the feast of St. Margaret Mary (I think; or vice versa). Another sister hadn't chosen any names right up close before her clothing. The prioress warned her time was running out, so she went and prayed in the chapel before Our Lord. St. Mary Magdalen came to mind. So she went and told Mother, "I have something to tell you." "I have something to tell YOU!" responded Mother, and here they both had been inspired to think of that same name.

So the upshot of it all is I don't know what my name will be, and am completely happy waiting on the Lord.

I would chose Rita Marie of the Crown of Thorns, Marie after our blessed mother who is my patron and Rita after the patron of which both St. Rita and the Parish are dear to me, and if I could chose an ending it'd be the crown of thorns because I have a special devotion.

I'm a bit of a francophile, and I love all things French--especially the saints!

I would love Sr. Rose Marie after St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. She lived and worked in my city, and my first house was right by her shrine (it was actually on a street named, "Duchesne").

For that same reason, I would pick Sr. Mary Madeline Sophie. Madeline Sophie Barat was St. Rose Philippine's superior (actually the foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart) who sent her to St. Charles.

My third choice is Sr. Genevieve Marie. She's the patroness of Paris.

There is a possibility that these will change as the choice gets nearer.

Sr. Amata Maria

Amata, means Beloved. (hey, anyone around here heard of a book by that title, lol) And that is what I would like to honour in my name, the idea which was instrumental in my conversion, the fact that God loved us first. Our Holy Father, who, back when he was just a Cardinal, was the mirror of God's love for me, taught me more about this fact by his example than I ever learned in RCIA. Of course his words are good, too

"I proclaim to you a great joy: God is here, you are beloved, and this stands firm forever."~ Cardinal Ratzinger
"We have come to believe in God's love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life.." ~ Papa Ratzi

St. Amata, was an irreligious youth (me!) She was the neice of St. Clare and a friend of St. Dominic, which is poifect for the religious community I'd like to join (The Sr. Servants of the Eternal Word, who have a franciscan/dominican charism)

Sr. Maria Abramo
The catechism points out Mamma Maria and Abraham as the two principle models of the "obedience of faith" which creatures owe their God. Since I've gone through long periods of dryness, this has been fundamental to my spiritual life. I would love to trust God as surely as they did ... Just think: they were both willing to sacrafice their sons ...

Sr. Mary Rose
After Our Lady of course, and St. Rose of Viterbo. She was a 3rd order Franciscan ... when she was just a girl, she marched into the streets and defended the Pope against heretics who had seized the city. She was banished, but in the end, the people converted, and she returned. She wanted to be a Poor Clare nun, but they refused her, and she humbly submitted to their judgement . She died a few years later , at the age of 18. The Pope ordered her body to be buried inside the monastery that had refused her. I think her body is incorrupt.

Is she not way cool?

If I choose a title (I'm not sure how the Sister Servants do that part?) I'd like it to be "of Gethsemani" or "of the Annunciation" ... obedience to God on special display!!

Yeah, only a million times. I won the Dogeared Award for reading Amata Means Beloved by Sister Mary Catharine, the most times! lol.

The Dominican Order of the Preachers. Specifically The Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist.

My would be Sr. Alphonsus Marie Liguori after St. Alphonsus Marie of Liguori founder of the Redemptorists.

I sort of "enlisted" St. Alphonsus when I was started to look at religious life again about 5 years ago. It has been a very INTERESTING relationship to say the least. Somewhere along the line, I do believe the tables have turned and he has adopted me

Any how, I promised St. Alphonsus that if I did become a religious, I would take his take name in thanksgiving. Needless to say, I am taking him with me to Buffalo.

I don't think St. Dominic would mind too much!!

DonnaMarie

Can i just mention something?

I don't like sisters with men names. I think there is something beautiful in feminity, and i think you don't need to give that all up in the convent. Like i met a Sr. John Joseph, and it was just like weird. There was also a Sr. Benedicta in the same community. Using a feminine variation is always a good idea. And as some of you ladies are saying in here, adding Mary or Terese to another Male saint actually does work i think.

I however, off topic, am going to try the name Ephrem. He was a Syrian Hermit and Deacon who would get the famous songs of Heretics, and replace them with Orthodox Church Teaching!!! He became a Doctor of the Church.

Fr. Mark Augustine(confirmation) Ephrem(profession) Menegatti

SHALOM

I really want to have the name chosen by the community but here are some of my favorites:

Sr. Marie Colette of the Holy Family: For Our Lady and St. Colette who is patroness of those who have lost parents. As a contemplative I want to devote myself to prayer for families esp. single parent families. The title of the Holy Family is in honor of my longest running devotion. I was not raised a Catholic but my family incorporated a lot of Catholic devotions into our home and I had a little statue of the Holy Family which inspired my earliest efforts at meditative prayer.

Sr. Mary Micheal of the Angels: For Our Lady and St. Micheal, who once appeared to my mother before I was born (I was then born on his feast day Sept. 29) and I have always loved him.

Sr. Marie Emanuelle of the Holy Family: This just popped in my head once and I really liked it.

Sr. Marie St. Scholastica of the Holy Family: I love St. Scholastica and I just can't take the saint out of her name. She loved her brother very much just like me!

God's peace always,
Amanda

, LOL, thats what i was thinking as well!!!!
well maybe that can be a start of a new community that she could one day be opening up. never know!!!!!

Well I think my greatest inspiration has been JPII and even though he is not a saint yet, I'm sure he's in heaven...so would go for Sr. John or just Sr. Jo to make it sound cool!

however, i would never be a good nun ... lol ... love guys too much to renounce them

If my vocation was to become a Religious Sister I'd like my name to be Sister Marie-Therese after our Blessed Mother who is the one who "grabbed" me a long time ago for Her Son and St. Therese whom I have a huge devotion to.

But alas my vocation is to be married so my first little girl will be name Marie-Therese instead! Especially since about two years ago I "gave" my vocation to both our Lady and St. Therese and asked them to please guide me to whichever vocation our Lord had chosen for me. So they did! They showed me that I'm to be married and be the mother to lots of Catholic babies!! So to honor them and in thanksgiving for showing me my way that's the name of my first girl!

~Jen

not long after JPII died i thought my religious name should be Sister John Paul or Sr. JP for short!!!! but then my parents started making fun of that idea so it was blown out of my mind.

I don't think you should give up such a patron! What about Sister Karol or Sister Lolek?

I've been thinking about religious names for a while and I can't quite make up my mind; I'm tempted to leave it up to my future Mother Superior. However, I do have a favourite at the moment:

Sr. Petra Benedicta ( I know Petra sounds a odd in english, but it's a fairly common name in Sweden )

I like St. Peter because he is a wonderful reminder to me of God's forgiveness, grace and love, despite our selfishness and failure to put our total trust in Him. Also, because of his shortcomings and his humanity, something about St. Peter resonates with my own life and my own shortcomings before God. He gives me great hope!

Benedicta, of course, is after St. Benedict, the father of the order I'd like to join: The Benedictine Daughters of Mary.

Pax

If I became a religious, I think I would choose the name Sister Maria Teresa, after the Blessed Mother and Mother Teresa. Or Maria Giovanna, Giovanna being after St. Joan of Arc and I love the Italian versions of names. Maybe it's because I'm part Italian

I am part Italian too! I think that's why I've always been attracted to the name Chiara. I love the way the Italians name 'Clare'. Sr Chiara Maria, now that's cool!

And as to the previous post of Sr Karol? I have a friend who entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, who became a novice back in August. Her name is Sr Karol Marie now.

Denise

Chiara sounds like a beautiful name! Italian names are awesome!

Mine would be Sr. Anthony Therese Mary. It just came to me a few years ago in prayer and it seems right.

As to whoever said they don't like Sisters with men's names.... I really think that the Sister's name is given to her by the Holy Spirit and that is who God has called her to be in her consecration. I would have never chosen Anthony on my own. Before, I had always wanted women's names; but now, I know that if I do become a Sister, this is the name I feel that resonates in my soul as a call from our Lord. My cousin, who's name is now Sr. Mary Michael, felt the same way before she entered, but that is the name that took root in her heart during her formation. It has nothing to do with denying femininity, and everything with answering the good Lord's call. Praise Jesus that He even considers to deem any of us worthy to be so united with Him!!
Peace in Christ,
Lauren

Lauren! You're not lurking anymore!

I think that having the Blessed Mother or another woman saint's name also helps it not sound as masculine either.

beautiful

Okay, I would like either Sister Mary Magdalene or Sister Maria Francesca (after Saint Francis, of course) or Sister Mary Trinity..This is fun! Brandelyn

Do y'all know of names that express devotion to the Eucharist?

On an episode of House they had a character named Sr. Eucharist, but I've never heard of a name like that before in real life...

Here it is.

I will join the Monastery of the contemplative Birgittine Sisters in Alotomünster (germnay) next april and because of that i am seriously thinking about my religios name! my favourite name at the moment is:

1. Sister Marie-Terese of the blessed Sacrament (because of our holy Mother Mary and saint Therese of Lisieux how is the patroness of my vocation)


(Sorry my english is not very good i hope you will understoot what write)

it is wonderful to have you here! Your english is wonderful (tons better then my German would be ) Congradulations on your entering the convent, and that name is beautiful!

My first choice right now is Sr. Maria Guadalupe. Maria for The Blessed Mother and St. Mary Magdaline, who showed that Christ is always ready to forgive and welcome you back no matter what you have done. Guadalupe is also for the Blessed Mother, who appeared in Mexico, her appiration showed that her son cared not only for the rich and the well-bred, but the poor, ignorent and outcast as well. Plus I think it has a nice ring to it.

I cant imagine in some of the old orders where there were thousands of nuns how hard picking a name would be. They would either be all taken or you would share a name with 3 or 4 other people!

I posted this is the other religious name forum but I will post it again here

I have been thinking lots about this!! I originally wanted something with Augustine because he is my patron or something with Faustina or John Paul/Karol because they are the two saints (saint to be for our dear papa) that are dearest to me. Seeing as those are all taken at SMME I have been praying about it and this is what came to me.......

Sr. Helena Raphael!!

I know that Raphael has to be part of it...means God has healed and I was healed of cancer and Helena because of the most special person in my life that recently passed away. Anytime I think of what it means to be a true Christian or WWJD I think of Helene. I know we usually take our names after saints but I just know she is in heaven which makes her a saint and so God willing my name will be Sr Helena Raphael

Okay, this is neat to revisit this months later...I still love Sister Mary Magdalene of the Merciful Heart of Jesus...But I also like Sister Marie Therese....

Hi,

This is my "secret choice."

Sr. Maria Baptista of the Beloved Son. To always remember that "He must increase and I must decrease."

But I think Mother chooses a name and title which shows how a sister is to live her vocation/mission.

Pia

Thanks for your nice welcome! It's great to talk about my vacation to others. Your name is grate! I love Mary of Guadalupe!
The old order of saint bridget has in germany only one convent! And there are only 5 sisters at the moment (i hope that would be better shortly ) ande because of that you can choos much names! But I think if you become not "your" favourite name is ok too. You must only think that this is gods will!

I chose Mary in honor of Mary, the Mother of God and of Mary Magdalene, the two women who stayed with Jesus until the end.

I chose to keep my name partly because of its meaning and partly because my dad chose it with such love. He suffered a lot while in Germany. He told me one day: "I found your name (while there), wrote in in a piece of paper, put it in my pocket and then it traveled through the seas with me until we both arrived to find the most beautiful baby who needed a beautiful name." Helga, by the way, means holy or consecrated. My old name was Helga Lizbeth. Lizbeth, from Elizabeth means, "the one who loves God" so, I could have kept both...but I wanted a new name that would signify my new life. And I have a great patroness since I entered the novitiate on September 12, the memorial of the most Holy Name of Mary...

Sr. Mary Helga

P.S
Is there a way to change your screen name?
And, how do you get the graphics with your signatures????