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A child is to be
given Christian name (at least as a middle name) -- the name of a
Saint -- when baptized (and is to take a Saint's name when
confirmed, also). This was once written into
the 1917 Code of Canon Law: Canon 761, "If the parish priest cannot induce
the parents to do so, he should add the name of some saint to that suggested
by the parents and enter both in the baptismal register."
The 1983 Code of Canon Law, Canon 855, doesn't specify that a Saint's name
be given, but does state: "Parents, sponsors and parish priests are to take
care that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment."
In any case, receiving a Saint's name at Baptism
is the ancient practice of the Church, as witnessed by St. John Chrysostom
(A.D. 347-407) in his Homilies on First Corinthians, XII verse XIII , in
which he complains about those who don't follow the practice of the "ancients":
Then after the
marriage if perchance a child is born, in this case again we shall see the
same folly and many practices full of absurdity. For when the time is come
for giving the infant a name, caring not to call it after the Saints as the
ancients at first did, they light lamps and give them names, and name the
child after that one which continues burning the longest; from thence
conjecturing that he will live a long time.
So, why do we name
our children after Saints as "the ancients" did? Because when a child is
named after a Saint, he is given a patron, a protector, and someone to model
himself after. Naming a child is no small matter! When naming a child, have
a specific Saint in mind. For example, if you name your child John, there
are a thousand "St. Johns" (St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist,
St. John of the Cross, St. John Bosco, etc.), but only one "Saint John" who
will be your child's special patron. Then teach your child about his patron,
teach him to ask for his prayers, give your child statues or other icons
of his protector, etc. And celebrate that child's Name Day.
A Name Day is the Feast Day of a Saint for whom one is named. In some families,
Name Days are treated as more important than birthdays -- or are celebrated
instead of birthdays. If at all possible, the family should attend
Mass on a family member's Name Day.
Among adults, Name Days are informal get-togethers celebrated like an adult's
birthday party, and they most often center around dessert. It is customary
in Eastern European countries to decorate the door of the person whose Name
Day it is, and to decorate the chair he will sit at at table, with flowers.
He is made to wear a sash over his shoulder, tied at the waist, with his
Saint's name on it, and is lifted up in his decorated chair three times.
For the entire day, he is generally fussed over, fêted, and spoiled.
For children, Name Days are usually celebrated in the same way one would
celebrate a child's birthday -- but with a focus on the child's Saint and
the child's relationship to him or her.
Cakes and/or cookies (see recipe below) are baked in shapes symbolic of their
Saint (lamb for St. Agnes; musical notes for David, Pope Gregory the Great,
or Cecilia; chalice or eagle for John the Divine, wolves for Francis, etc.).
A laminated Holy Card of the Saint (wiped with
alcohol or bleach, then cleaned well in soapy water) can be placed on a cake,
secured by icing piped around its edges and decorated further with
flowers and symbols
of the Saint made of icing or marzipan (see recipe below). The card will
serve as a nice little keepsake afterwards.
Decorations can reflect Saint's symbols, colors (blue for Mary; green for
Joseph; red for martyrs and Cardinals; white for virgins and Popes; purple
for Bishops; black and white for a Dominican patron; black for priests, brown
for a Franciscan patron, etc.), mottoes, affiliation with a religous Order,
ethnic heritage (fleurs-de-lys for French patrons; provincial coats of arms
for Italian patrons, etc.), etc. It would be very nice if at least one special
item (e.g., a small statue or icon, a specially decorated candle, a special
plate, 1 etc.) could be brought out
only on the child's Name Day; this helps make the day special and gives to
the day a sense of continuity and family tradition, in the same way that
many families have that "one special Christmas ornament" that "must" be put
on the Christmas tree or it's "just not Christmas."
Pinatas in the shape of one of the Saints' symbols
can be made, too.
Music, entertainments, food, and drinks relevant to the patron's life, heritage
and historical era could be used, too. Use your imagination! Some Saints
have foods or drinks "built-in" to their story -- e.g., the wine blessed
on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist called the "Love of St. John," Speculaas
cookies on St. Nicholas's Day, Lussekatter on St. Lucy's Day, the foods of
the "tavola di San Giuse" on St. Joseph's Day, etc. (read about some of these
customs in the Seasonal Customs section of this
site). For other Saints, you might have to free-associate a little more;
for ex., St. Barbara is associated with the custom of "Barbarazweig" -- of
bringing the branches of cherry trees indoors so they will blossom. So, for
a child named Barbara, a dessert made of cherries would be nice! "Angelfood"
cake for a child name Michael or Gabriel would work. St. Matthew was a tax
collector, so cookies cut into coin shapes and decorated like ancient Roman
coins would work... There's even a Sicilian cookie called "Nun's Sighs" (recipe
below) for all those girls named after a woman religious. You get the idea.
If your child's Saint is celebrated in the Liturgy, you can use the feast
day's Collects as a prayer at the day's celebrations (see your Missal). If
the Saint doesn't have a special liturgy, use one of the Collects below:
If the Saint
is: |
| A
Man and... |
A
Pope |
Eternal Shepherd,
regard graciously Thy flock, and keep it with an everlasting protection,
by the intercession of blessed N____ thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou has
constituted Shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. |
A Martyr Bishop
and his feast falls outside of Paschaltide |
Look down upon
our weakness, almighty God; and since the weight of our own deeds bears us
down, may the glorious intercession of blessed N____, Thy Bishop and Martyr,
protect us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. |
A Martyr Bishop
and his feast falls during Paschaltide |
O God, Who
dost gladden us by the annual feast of blessed N____, Thy Martyr and Bishop:
mercifully grant that we who celebrate his heavenly birthday may also rejoice
in his protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. |
A Martyr Not
a Bishop and his feast falls outside of Paschaltide |
Grant, we beseech
Thee, almighty God, that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed
N____, Thy Martry, may, through his intercession, be strengthened in the
love of Thy Name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. |
A Martyr not
a Bishop and his feast falls during Paschaltide |
Grant, we beseech
Thee, almighty God: that through the intercession of blessed N____, Thy Martyr,
we may be delivered from all adversity that may happen to the body, and may
be cleansed in mind of evil thoughts. TThrough our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end. |
A Confessor
Bishop |
Hear our prayer,
we beseech Thee, O Lord, which we present to Thee, on the feast of the blessed
N____, Thy Confessor and Bishop; and by his interceding merits, who was found
worthy to serve Thee, absolve us from all our sins. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end. |
A Doctor of
the Church |
O God, Who
didst give blessed N____ as a minister of eternal salvation to Thy people,
grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who have had him for our teacher on earth,
may deserve to have him for our advocate in Heaven. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end. |
A Confessor
not a Bishop |
O God, Who
dost gladden us by the annual feast of blessed N____, Thy Confessor: mercifully
grant that we may follow the example of his life, whose heavenly birthday
we celebrate. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. |
An
Abbot |
May the
intercession of blessed N____ the Abbot, commend us unto Thee, we beseech
Thee, O Lord: so that what we may not have by any merits of ours, we may
obtain by his patronage. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth
and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without
end. |
| A
Woman and... |
A Martyr, Virgin
or not |
O God, Who
among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex
the victory of martyrdom: mercifully grant: that we who celebrate the heavenly
birthday of blessed N____, Thy Martry, may, be her example draw nearer to
Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with
Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. |
A Virgin not
a Martyr |
Hear us, O
God, our Savior: that as we rejoice in the feast of blessed N____, Thy Virgin:
so we may be taught by its devotion towards Thee. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end. |
A Holy Woman
not a Martyr |
Hear us, O
God, our Savior; that as we rejoice in the feast of blessed N____, so we
may learn therefrom loving devotion towards Thee. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end. |
If you weren't christened with a proper Christian name, you can use the name
you took at Confirmation.
If your Baptismal name is not strictly a Saint's Name, chances are it is
a derivative of one or of a Marian Feast's name, etc. For ex., my name is
"Tracy," which is a derivative of "Teresa," so St. Teresa of Avila is my
patron. "Dolores" means "Sorrows," so the Feast of the 7 Sorrows would be
Dolores's Name Day. "Loretta" is a derivative of "Loreto," so Our Lady of
Loreto's Day would be her Feast Day. "Betty," "Bette," and "Lizzie" are
derivatives of Elizabeth, etc.
Recipes
Sugar Cookies
to cut into shapes, with various options for decorating
This is a good, all-purpose cookie for Name Day parties, a basic sugar cookie
that can be cut into wonderful shapes:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 egg
3 teaspoons of vanilla or almond extract
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2/3 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup commercial sour cream
For decorating:
Option 1: Colored
Granulated Sugars to use before baking:
Granulted sugars of various colors
Option 2: Matte Cookie Paint to use before baking:
1 egg yolk for each color
1/4 tsp water for each color
food colorings
Option 3: Stained Glass Cookies formed before baking:
Lifesaver candies, separated by color, crushed inside plastic baggies
Option 4: Glossy Cookie Paint to use after baking:
2 Tbsp corn syrup for each color
food colorings
Option 5: Creamier-type Cookie Frosting to use after baking:
4 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup butter
5 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla or 1 tsp almond extract
food coloring (optional)
Option 6: Royal Icing added after baking (dries hard so cookies can be
stacked):
4 egg whites
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon or two of lemon, vanilla, or almond extract
food coloring (optional)
Cream butter. Gradually
add sugar and beat until light, creamy, and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
Sift together flour, soda, salt and baking powder. Add to creamed mixture
alternately with sour cream. Chill dough overnight. Roll out half the dough
1/8-inch thick on a lightly floured board or pastry cloth. Keep remaining
dough chilled until ready to be rolled. Cut the dough into symbolic designs
(to keep them uniform, use cookie cutters or make a cardboard template you
can cut around).
Now choose one of the options above and follow directions below:
Option 1:
Sprinkle with colored granulated sugar, then bake (see below).
Option 2:
Mix Cookie Paint ingredients in different cups for different colors, and
paint on to cookies with clean watercolor paintbrushes (Cookie Paint will
produce a matte finish). Then bake (see below).
Option 3:
Cut cookies into shapes. Lay the cookies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
Cut smaller shapes and patterns out of the insides of the cookies on the
sheet. Fill the spaces cut out from the cookie with the crushed lifesavers.
Bake as usual (see below).
Option 4:
Bake first (see below), then cool totally. Mix Option 3 ingredients -- once
in different cups for different colors -- and apply with watercolor paintbrushes,
letting each color dry throroughly before applying the next color. Let sit
to dry overall before serving.
Option 5:
Bake first (see below), then cool totally. Cream together the confectioners'
sugar and shortening until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla
with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Add coloring,
if desired. Use more milk if not soft enough.
Option 6:
Bake first (see below), then cool totally. Beat egg whites in clean, large
bowl with mixer at high speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar and extract.
Beat at high speed until thickened. Add coloring, if desired. Spread, or
pipe on to cookies using pastry bag (Caution: this icing dries quickly; keep
bowl covered while icing cookies).
To bake off the
cookies: Place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350
degrees for 5 to 8 minutes.
Nun's Sighs
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 pound ground hazelnuts
4 egg whites
grated zest of one lemon
Butter and flour for cookie sheet
Whip the whites to firm peaks, then fold in the remaining ingredients. Drop
by spoonfuls on a buttered and floured cookie sheet, and bake at 350 degrees
for about 25 minutes.
Marzipan
2 cups
of confectioners’ sugar
½ pound of very finely ground blanched almonds or prepared almond
paste
2 egg whites
½ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of almond extract
Food colorings (see recipe)
Blend all of the ingredients but food colorings together until smooth and
completely blended together. Wrap or cover tightly and chill until firm.
Let come to room temperature, then divide dough as needed, add any liquid
coloring, if using, a very few drops at a time to desired color. Knead until
blended and then form into shapes. Or form into shapes before coloring, then
paint with liquid food colorings added to water. Or, form into shapes before
coloring, and then use powdered food coloring, let dry for 6 hours, and then
set the colors by holding the marzipans over steam for a few seconds (this
method is said to make the best-looking marzipan).
Tips:
Shape into roses
and other flowers, Saints' symbols, liturgical symbols, Christmas symbols
(stars, ornaments, trees, wreaths, poinsettia, Christmas Roses), Easter symbols
(eggs, bells, lilies), fruits, vegetables, letters, numbers, etc. Alternatively,
roll flat and cut using cookie cutters.
Use toothpicks to make creases, dimples or designs.
Gently roll shapes against graters, mashers, tea strainers, toothbrushes
(reserved for the purpose, of course), etc., for textural effects.
Cloves can be used for stems top or bottom on fruit shapes.
Cocoa powder works well for making the color brown.
Marzipan shapes or balls can be dipped in mixture of 16 oz. Hershey's special
dark chocolate and 5 squares unsweetened chocolate melted together (in double
boiler or microwave).
Footnotes
1
You can get plain
plates (clear, white, or one-colored) that are able to withstand being heated
to around 300o F, decorate them using paints made to use on porcelain
or ceramics, and bake until the paint is set. These sorts of paints are available
at crafts stores (one example is a paint called "Porcelaine," made by the
Pebeo Company). Paints that are baked onto the surface of the plate will
be more durable than those that are air-dried. Make sure that any paints
you use are non-toxic and able to come into contact with food. If you use
clear plates and lack artistic talent, you can place a design underneath
and trace it on the top surface. You can also get chemicals with which to
etch glass. Just visit your local craft store and look for "Armour Etch"
or a similar product.
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