medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
There can be cultural confusions in the choice of names. My
Grandparents on the Italian side knew of a couple who wanted to use the
name Lucifero, probably from Lucifer of Cagliari; and the priest vetoed
the name.
Tom Izbicki
Thomas Izbicki
Collection Development Coordinator
Eisenhower Library
Johns Hopkins
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410)516-7173
fax (410)516-8399
>>> [log in to unmask] 02/24/05 5:54 AM >>>
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and
culture
Dear medieval-religion colleagues,
The web site for the Diocese of Lincoln (Nebraska, USA) has this as a
frequently asked question in regard to baptism. Although it deals with
the here and now, it may be useful as a starting point from which to
work backward chronologically:
***
http://www.dioceseoflincoln.org/purple/baptism/#7
Is it all right now after the Second Vatican Council to give a child at
baptism a name that is not a saint's name?
As far as I know the Second Vatican Council never treated this issue.
The current Code of Canon Law says, "Parents, sponsors, and the pastor
are to take care that a name is not given (to a child being baptized)
which is foreign to Christian sentiment." It is a beautiful practice to
give a child a saint's name, even if it has to be a second or third
name. The saint can intercede for the person as he or she grows up. The
person can learn about the saint's life and try to imitate the saint's
virtues in following Christ, etc. For Christians this is certainly
preferable over naming children after relatives, sports or rock stars,
months or seasons of the year, nuts and fruits, etc.
***
There may well be gaps in canon law over the centuries in regard to
this matter, or at least in their observance. My parents were born in a
village in central Italy, Corfinio (hence my interest in St Pelino and
other 'local worthies'), and I visit there frequently. Whenever I am
there, I like to visit the local cemetery, and a few years ago I
suddenly noticed a tomb for someone who had died in the first half of
the twentieth century. What caught my eye was the given name of the
person: 'Ateo', or 'Atheist'. I don't think this is a case like that
noted earlier today (or yesterday - I forget) by John Dillon, whereby an
adjective ('germanus') may well have been transformed by scribal error
or will into a given name ('Germanus') - this man's real given name was
Ateo. The cemetery is within sight of the achingly beautiful cathedral
basilica of San Pelino and its attached bishop's residence (now serving
as a convent, but that's another story), so SOMEBODY in this
overwhelmingly Christian culture knew that someone in their midst was
named Ateo.
Astrolabe might be considered by some to be much too virtuous a name in
comparison ...
Best wishes to all, George
--
George Ferzoco
University of Leicester
University Road
LEICESTER LE1 7RH
UNITED KINGDOM
tel + 44 (0)116 252 2654
fax + 44 (0)116 252 3633
e-mail [log in to unmask]
list owner, medieval-religion
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|