The season of Confirmations is here. One of the traditions of Confirmation is picking out a Confirmation Saint to serve as a patron and example for the newly confirmed. Below, seven individuals from our Diocese (four young people and three adults) share what saints they chose and what inspired them to choose that saint.
Thomas Robles
Adult Confirmation, Christ the Redeemer, Grand Terrace
BYTE: What saint did you choose for your Confirmation Saint, and what inspired you to choose that saint?
Robles: I would like to follow my namesake and choose St. Thomas the Apostle. I believe “Doubting Thomas” greatly resembles my personal journey with faith. St. Thomas the Apostle doubted Jesus’ resurrection, much like my previous lack of faith. But St. Thomas the Apostle eventually became the first person to explicitly acknowledge the divinity of Jesus. This is how I feel as one of the only people who walk with faith in my friend groups.
BYTE: What virtues, gifts or strengths does your confirmation saint have that you would like to imitate?
Robles: I want to build up communities and help the less fortunate like St. Thomas the Apostle. I would also like to follow Christ’s teachings and share the good news, just like the apostles did.
Emiliano Melendrez
Youth Confirmation, St. Patrick, Moreno Valley
BYTE: What saint did you choose for your Confirmation Saint, and what inspired you to choose that saint?
Melendrez: I chose St. Francis of Assisi as my saint. When I was researching saints, I found an article about him on the Internet which told me about him and his life story. I was fascinated by it so I did more research and decided I would like him to be my saint.
BYTE: What virtues, gifts or strengths does your confirmation saint have that you would like to imitate?
Melendrez: St. Francis was a very kindhearted man. I hope to be able to treat all of God’s creations with the same love and affection that he did. In today’s day and age it is so easy to forget and underap-preciate the world God made for us.
Monica Castro
RCIA, St. Oscar Romero, Eastvale
BYTE: What saint did you choose for your Confirmation Saint, and what inspired you to choose that saint?
Castro: I chose St. Bernadette. I was doing plenty of research trying to pick a saint and had a list of a few that I really admired. I was praying that I would choose the right one and had asked God for a sign. As the deadline to pick one was coming up, I had this idea and knew that in my jewelry box I kept some medallions that I had found or that my grandmother had given me and the first one I picked up was St. Bernadette! I knew instantly this was my sign especially since she was already on my list and I loved her story that took place in Lourdes, France and her visits from the Virgin Mary.
BYTE: What virtues, gifts or strengths does your confirmation saint have that you would like to imitate?
Castro: Even though Bernadette was a just a simple girl with certain health conditions and little education, her faith was so strong and that made her a powerful girl. I am working hard on growing my faith and praying for the confidence that Bernadette had. I really admire the Virgin Mary and have recently been praying the Rosary more often. My recent journey on growing my faith has been so wonderful, I am very eager to expand my knowledge on the Catholic Church and grow in virtue to become closer and closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter Esparza
Youth Confirmation, St. Thomas the Apostle, Riverside
BYTE: What saint did you choose for your Confirmation Saint, and what inspired you to choose that saint?
Esparza: I picked St. Cecilia. Initially, I picked her because she is the patron saint of musicians and music, but also because of her devotion to Christ, despite being persecuted.
BYTE: What virtues, gifts or strengths does your confirmation saint have that you would like to imitate?
Esparza: I want to imitate her fearless devotion and trust in the Lord, even when it is difficult and even dangerous.
David Damas
Adult Confirmation, St. Joseph, Barstow
BYTE: What saint did you choose for your Confirmation Saint, and what inspired you to choose that saint?
Damas: I chose St. Peter, because I feel like he had the same struggles as I do ... all I have to do is wait for God, and if I wait for God, then he’ll come and answer my prayers. That’s what he did for Peter.
BYTE: What virtues, gifts or strengths does your confirmation saint have that you would like to imitate?
Damas: Patience: I need that.
Julianna Orozco
Youth Confirmation, St. Patrick, Moreno Valley
BYTE: What saint did you choose for your Confirmation Saint, and what inspired you to choose that saint?
Orozco: I chose Our Lady of Fatima. There was a list of reasons for choosing her, but one of the main reasons I chose Our Lady of Fatima was that she had been a big part of my life growing up, learning about her from my grandmothers and always being told to pray to her when weak or sick so that she would guide my path to healing and strength.
BYTE: What virtues, gifts or strengths does your confirmation saint have that you would like to imitate?
Orozco: Some gifts that Our Lady of Fatima has are that she can provide you with this healing through a simple prayer that is beyond incredible. I would like to provide people in my life or that are sent to me by God with healing and strength, as she has done to me. Our Lady of Fatima’s gift of going to children to give them the plan of hope before the world went to war and famine knowing they were pure of heart and would listen to her words is something I would like to imitate, and somewhat already do, since I always go to children to listen to them and talk to them on how they may be able to change the cruelties of this world.
Christopher Yanez
Youth Confirmation, St. Oscar Romero, Eastvale
BYTE: What saint did you choose for your Confirmation Saint, and what inspired you to choose that saint?
Yanez: After research and such a great variety to choose from, I have come to the decision of choosing St. Ambrose. As I discovered more about the purpose and motives of St. Ambrose, I realized that my beliefs and ideas were along the same lines.
BYTE: What virtues, gifts or strengths does your confirmation saint have that you would like to imitate?
Yanez: St. Ambrose's one virtue that stood out from all the rest, was his devotedness to the Catholic Church and beliefs. He stood as a guardian of Catholic belief protecting and becoming a leader figure to be followed.