III. The Christian Name
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The sacrament of Baptism is conferred "in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit."85 In Baptism, the Lord's name
sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be
the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary
fidelity to the Lord. the patron saint provides a model of charity; we are
assured of his intercession. the "baptismal name" can also express a
Christian mystery or Christian virtue. "Parents, sponsors, and the pastor
are to see that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian
sentiment."86
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The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of
the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen." the baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God
and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of
the Father. the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and
difficulties.
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God calls each one by name.87 Everyone's name is sacred. the name is
the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one
who bears it.
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The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the kingdom, the mysterious
and unique character of each person marked with God's name will shine forth in
splendor. "To him who conquers . . . I will give a white stone, with a new
name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives
it."88 "Then I looked, and Lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb,
and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his
Father's name written on their foreheads."89
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