Confirmation Name Reflection/Research Project

My Saint Name Choice: St. Frances Cabrini

 Dear Confirmation Students,

I had a limited understanding of what was happening when I received the Sacrament of Confirmation at 14 years-old. It was not because I was ill-prepared, but I just wasn’t ready emotionally, spiritually or intellectually to grasp the magnitude of the gift. I remember being nervous approaching the bishop, who, when he was told I chose the name “Frances,” commented, “Oh, that’s a good one!” This was the name of a relative whom I liked, one of my paternal great-grandmothers whom I was lucky enough to get to know. Her name was Frances, but I called her Nana. She was a faith-filled and kind woman who lived in Jackson Heights, NY for most of the time that I knew her. Nana was an orphan raised by an Irish family and she wasn't even sure of her birth date. When I was about 12 years old I would write her letters. I picked the name Frances in part, to honor her; I hadn’t thought much about saints. 

Here I am with Nana and
my 1980's hair.

Sometime during my adulthood, it dawned on me just how blessed I was to be led to the sacrament of Confirmation by my parents. I realized that the same Holy Spirit who descended on the Apostles at Pentecost entered my heart the moment I was anointed in Confirmation, and strengthened me beyond human understanding. I didn’t feel different, nor did I notice swirling tongues of fire, but I’m quite sure now that the moment of my Confirmation was the most important of my life. 

Reflecting on my journey so far I can see that the Holy Spirit has given me the fortitude to face the world with a hope that produces joy. When I use the word “joy” I’m not referring to a feeling of happiness, but rather, a deep confidence that Jesus will take care of me always, especially in difficult or frightening times.  All I have to do is cling to Him in prayer. 

St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:7 writes: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”  There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and these gifts can activate as needed to produce the fruit of spiritual growth in us.  At some point in my adulthood the Holy Spirit led me to think about my Confirmation name. I regretted that I hadn’t put more thought into choosing it. As Catholics we believe that the saints are our advocates in heaven, especially the saint whose name we take at Confirmation.  Some research and prayer led me to decide that I would choose Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini.

St. Frances Cabrini was born in Italy in 1850. The youngest of 13 children, she was sickly all her life. She was educated by nuns, and wanted to dedicate herself to religious life. She became a teacher and taught at a girls' orphanage. Her work expanded to helping poor children receive both an education and proper health care. At one point in her life, she thought she was being called to bring this effort to China, but the Pope sent her to New York instead. There she helped countless Italian immigrants to gain an education and whatever they needed to start a new life in America. I think the most admirable quality of St. Frances is her trust in God. This courage carried her through many hardships. She became a skilled leader, and credited all her accomplishments to God. In 35 years, St. Frances founded 67 institutions, including orphanages, schools, and hospitals that focused on caring for the poor, uneducated, sick, abandoned, and especially for the Italian immigrants. Her institutions spanned the United States, including New York, Colorado, and Illinois.

St. Frances seemed to be the right fit for me as a Confirmation saint. She is Italian, like some of my beloved grandmothers, became a teacher like I did, and had that trust in God that I strive for in my own life. She cared for orphans in NYC and perhaps my Nana was named for her, being an orphan born around 1911.

Following my internal decision to attach my Confirmation name to this saint, an opportunity presented itself to visit her shrine in Manhattan. Seeing it as a sign, I went, and while sitting on the bench in a small courtyard where St. Frances recited a daily rosary, I was struck by the idea that there are no coincidences.  The Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that St. Frances was enthusiastic to be one of my heavenly advocates. Further assurance that she was praying for me in heaven came when I entered the chapel where her precious remains are enclosed in a glass tomb below the altar. In the pew where I sat was a card someone left behind containing a quote by St. Frances urging me to trust Jesus in everything and pray always.  I slipped the card in my pocket, thankful for the insight that the Holy Spirit was at work in my life, and this knowledge filled me with peace. 

On Mother Cabrini's bench at her shrine in NYC.

I don’t know where the Holy Spirit will lead me in the future, but I am sure that with this grace, I will be able to do whatever God calls me to accomplish for Him. “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” – 1 Cor 12:11

Sincerely,

Mrs. Christie

Now it's your turn to write a reflection about your Confirmation name saint choice. 

1.Research your saint on https://www.catholic.org/saints/

2. Write a three paragraph or more reflection answering these questions: 

a. What is this saints biographical information? 

b. What do I find most admirable about this saint? Why did I decide to choose this saint's name to be my Confirmation name? 

c. How did this saint show great faith in God? 

3. Include a picture of your saint with your reflection. 

4. Understand that whatever you write, or pictures you send to me may be included in the next Confirmation Video.

Submit your reflection through Level 9 Faith Formation Google Classroom.