How to Choose a Confirmation Saint
For the Modern Catholic Teenager
During the very first walk through those doors and down the hall of a locker-lined high school campus, the freshman, not immediately known to him or herself, is weighed, measured and sorted into preexisting categories by the established junta. Within those social groups--classic breeds as Jocks, Cheerleaders and Nerds, or the new species of Emos and Hipsters--they shall remain all the rest of their secondary education years, banded in solidarity under a brand name sneaker, catch phrase, or particular odor emitted. With all the biological and emotional changes, the increasing responsibility of young adulthood and the pressure to conform, it is important for the modern Catholic teenager to pray for graces to overcome these adolescent challenges. So in their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, the teenager should select a patron saint who shares the same interest or provides an example of adult Christian living; St. Francis of Assisi would be a better fit for one aspiring to be a veterinarian than, say, St. Adrian the patron of butchers. |
The Jock St. Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes, though he may consider the intercession of St. Amalia who protects against arm pain and bruises. The campus Casanova could also benefit from the guidance of St. Valentine, our patron of true Christian love. |
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The Cheerleader St. Blaise, the patron saint against throat maladies, will protect those voices leading the crowd in cheer. St. Vitus will guide her every dance step. St. John Nepomucene can also teach the value of silence and the avoidance of slanderous words. The Princess The patron saint of fashionistas is St. Paul the Hermit, who while hiding in the desert from persecution created his own line of tres chic clothes woven from leaves. St. Anne, the mother of Our Lady, is the guardian of equestrians. But St. Rose of Lima will provide this wannabe model with a model of feminine modesty. |
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Skaters and Surfers St. Lydwina of Schiedam was injured in an ice skating accident which caused her to be paralyzed and suffer for many years. She has been the patron saint of those involved in any recreational skating activity for her protection from injury. The patron saint of many things aquatic is St. Christopher, so he is recognized as the overseer of those catching some waves out on the brine, bro. |
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Because he was a prolific writer of reference materials and information resources, St. Isidore of Seville has been recognized as the patron saint of computers and the internet, ideal for the techno-savvy teenager--though St. Raphael the Archangel, patron saint of eye problems, will warn against spending too much time glued to the monitor. |
Drama Club, St. Genesius of Rome was an actor who had his spiritual conversion while on stage, hence his patronage of the theater arts. St. Drogo will also ward against the inability to speak while Blessed Notkar Balbulus will intercede for those suffering from stammering--so those soliloquies will be as smooth as silk. |
Band Geeks The patron saint of music and musicians is St. Cecilia, though many horn players are attracted to St. Gabriel the Archangel, whose trumpet blast will signify the beginning of the end. St. Francis de Sales would protect those organs most important to musicians: the ears. |
Goths and Emos St. Benedict Joseph Labre was rejected by a number of religious orders, so for the teenager who feels like an outcast, his life would make a great point of inspiration. St. Dymphna had a troubled upbringing as well and has become a patron saint against depression. But call on St. Michael the Archangel to keep the devil away, as this subculture has prevalent demonic themes. |
The Hipster's larger environmental concerns would lead them to either St. Francis of Assisi or--for their penchant for the obscure and hard-to-pronunce--the lesser known Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. John Paul II named St. Thomas More the patron saint for politicos, to guide this budding pundit. |