tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post4757298447008204955..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: What’s in a name? A community.Fr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-49859900899764447182012-02-16T06:43:29.897+08:002012-02-16T06:43:29.897+08:00‘’......I am wondering if we do a little reflectio...‘’......I am wondering if we do a little reflection on the rich background of our religious tradition behind the naming of our children after the Saints, that parents would back-pedal a bit and appreciate the rationale of this strong recommendation.....’’ - brings me back to my own baptism.<br /><br />Before being baptized into the Catholic faith, the five of us were told by our earnest priest-cathechist that we would all be given the name Mary but we could use it as the baptism name or the confirmation name for this would be our Catholic identity and ‘’belongingness’’ to the new family. He said that he woud likewise give the name Joseph to all the male catechumens. I felt that we were very fortunate to have someone explain to us the rationale behind having a Catholic name, because it was from this that I went in earnest to read up on the Saints of the Church so as to choose one that I could model my life on – and of course retaining the name of our Lady as the “family“ name !<br /><br />I believe that the apparent flippancy in choosing baptism names today could probably be because the parents were not properly advised about this – perhaps this could be inserted in at marriage preparation course as it is never too early? As a sponsor for RCIA I find that many of my catechumens who in the initial journey expressed reservations about choosing a Catholic ( read western) name were readily won over once they understand the beauty and rationale of this rich Catholic tradition – because they do not want to be ‘’short-changed’’<br /><br />So I would agree that if parents have a better knowledge of the reasons behind this Catholic tradition, they would certainly be looking into the lives of the Saints for guidance.<br />God bless you, Fr<br />tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-77950804943181212682012-02-14T04:27:02.888+08:002012-02-14T04:27:02.888+08:00In the 1983 Code of Canon Law, there is no specifi...In the 1983 Code of Canon Law, there is no specific law that says that the baptism name has to be that of a saint. There is only the prohibition of choosing a name that is contrary to Christian sentiment. Think Hitler or Stalin or Lucifer. I think you get the picture. There is not even a law that says that you have to choose a middle name of a saint (to make things appear more 'safe'). But if we are only going to base our choices or non-choices on what is written in the Code of Canon Law, perhaps we are missing the larger picture of what baptism really is. <br /><br />There is a whole theology that is rich in depth and meaning behind the sacrament, and sometimes we pastors get the very strong feeling (call it a prompting if you will) that the parents are getting the child baptized as an empty tradition or worse, as a joke. That is why we need to catechize parents (and God-parents) of these infants and remind them about the bringing up the child as a Catholic, in a Catholic environment, and the role of the parents as the child's first (and the most important) catechists. If this preparation does not have sufficient depth, it merely becomes a rehearsal session where everyone knows where to stand, what to say, and what to wear, without nary a thought given about the why of it all. <br /><br />God bless<br />Fr LukeFr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-32641173608696353932012-02-14T04:24:44.655+08:002012-02-14T04:24:44.655+08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Fr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-275934116760208522012-02-14T02:43:39.147+08:002012-02-14T02:43:39.147+08:00Good afternoon, Father Luke :) this is my very fir...Good afternoon, Father Luke :) this is my very first reply to you...and to anyone's blog EVER! Hee hee...<br /><br />Wow. La-La has to take the cake. With Laquisha and Golf coming in a tie for a close second. I can just imagine a saint with the Chinese name "QING PING". Say it fast. That would be quite sad.<br /><br />Singaporeans should take the cue from the St James Power Station which turned into a club, but still maintained the Catholic name. Who says Catholic names can't be a figment of "COOL"? <br /><br />But of course, the whole idea behind whose identity you're taking on especially upon baptism is slowly fading away...I do know of some parish priests who take the trouble to scrutinize the kind of names their Catechumens are choosing and counsel them if need be....and of course there are those who couldn't give two Babarella hoots about it.<br /><br />As long as I know there's one potential parish priest currently in Washington who's passionate about ridding the world of all Pertswicks and Fermyns, (you've gotta be kidding me!!!) I'm in a good place :)<br /><br />GOD LOVE YOU!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17119291034290248390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-42710681120158745542012-02-13T22:03:54.943+08:002012-02-13T22:03:54.943+08:00Hi Fr Luke, I just had to roll my eyeballs at some...Hi Fr Luke, I just had to roll my eyeballs at some of the 'creative' names you mentioned. Were these names allowed as baptism names? I think that it should be ok if the parents specially chose the names of saints for the baptism name. So I think it's less objectionable if the kid was called Rain Anthony or Atom Theresa, with a traditional Catholic name as the baptism name. Pls do clarify. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-19129399212068053562012-02-13T19:12:19.436+08:002012-02-13T19:12:19.436+08:00I'm not going to be PC here.
I think it's...I'm not going to be PC here.<br /><br />I think it's ridiculous that such "innovative" names be given to a child. We are Catholic. THAT'S our identity. Our names should reflect just who we are.<br /><br />Everytime I see an "Magdelene" or "Teresa" in the daily obituaries I immediately look to see if the person is Catholic. 90% of the time it is so. That's the beauty of having a "Catholic" name. <br /><br />I wouldn't have it any other way.Robbie Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-45906999228637970042012-02-13T10:28:44.793+08:002012-02-13T10:28:44.793+08:00Gd morming Fr luke..
Yr posting on saints' ...Gd morming Fr luke.. <br /><br />Yr posting on saints' name is timely.. One of the possible reasons that parents choose names other than the saints is maybe.. just maybe to make his or her child name easily remembered eg Rain.. While we can understand if non catholic/christian parents choose such a name.. but it is puzzling if a catholic parent choose this.. <br /><br />question is.. for the sake of convience?.. all i could think it is that maybe such name is more trendy?? huh?? or more biz sake.. easyly remembered?? .. <br /><br />Though i'm married for quite some time.. .. but with no child to call our own.. i still hold the catholic tradition of naming our child (if any) saint names' .. if it is a girl it would be mary elizabeth therese why? mary.. being mother of Jesus.. saint of all saints.. elizabeth.. for her perseverance in faith in the Lord and lastly therese.. the saint with a special devotion to the Lord and Our lady. I hope my daughter would grow up with these 3 virtues of imitating the saints.. If boy.. def Joseph..a great example of a family man and love of the Lord.. <br /><br />Have a blessed day Fr Luke .. cheers!!<br /><br />GAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com