List
of saint names available to assist Confirmation candidates
by Ann Przybilla
Director of Worship
Bishop John C. Nienstedt has
recently approved a list of Saints to assist Confirmation candidates with
choosing a saint name prior to confirmation. This list takes into account the
thousands of saints that have been canonized throughout the centuries.
In the early church, the
process of becoming a saint consisted
of little more than an inquiry into a person’s life and
miracles. Throughout the centuries, the
process has become very systematic. Now,
modern scientific and historical awareness converges with faith in the research
of saints. One could say that it is more
difficult to be declared a saint today than it ever has been.
The Diocesan list consists of
all saints that are venerated throughout the liturgical year, patron saints of
parishes in the diocese, and a few saints that are no longer venerated, but
remain popular.
The diocese highly recommends
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, revised by Matthew, Margaret and
Stephen Bunson, 2003 for use in researching saints.
Some Web sites are inadequate in their information about saints. However, the
The list of saints approved
by Bishop Nienstedt is available on the New Ulm diocesan Web site. Visit:
www.dnu.org/worship/worship.htmlEach parish in the diocese has also been mailed
the approved saint list.