1 CONFIRMATION CLASS PRESENTATION

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR , BOWIE MARYLAND

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2020 – 2021

3.21.21 2 RICHARD PAMPURI – CHOSEN BY ADONIS RODRIGUEZ

• Erminio Filippo Pampuri was from Trivolzio, , Italy and lived from 1897 - 1980. Both of his parents died when he was young. He was raised by his grandparents and had ten other siblings. He looked up to his uncle, who was a village doctor. This led St. Pampuri to study medicine. He was a Sergeant during World War I, working in a field hospital.

• I chose St. Richard Pampuri because of his work helping those less fortunate. He held charity drives for the poor and offered free dental care. He was selfless, smart, strong, This Photo by Unknown Author is respectful, and overcame many obstacles, despite having a “weak” body. I want to be licensed under CC BY-NC-ND like him by helping others, looking at the positive aspects of life, and overcoming any obstacles I may face. 3 SAINT SEBASTIAN - CHOSEN BY ALEC EHRENFRIED

• Saint Sebastian was from Arbonne France and lived from 256 to 288. He joined the Roman army so that he could do acts of love and charity in secret. Eventually Saint Sebastian was discovered, tied to a tree, shot with arrows, then beaten to death with clubs. He is known as the of athletes due to his endurance. I chose him to be my Confirmation saint because I play soccer and basketball. • I admire his unwavering commitment to God and his endurance.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4 SAINT PAUL – CHOSEN BY ALEXANDER VALLE RODRIGUEZ

• He is a saint because his epistle (letters) had an enormous influence on Christian theology. Some consider St. Paul to be the most important person after Jesus in Christian history. St. Paul was one of the Apostles and lived from approximately 5 to 67. He was from Saint Paul is from Tarsus, Turkey. He was almost assassinated by a group of Jews for saying that Jesus was the Christ. • I admire that he was sort of a "All-or-nothing" guy. He either persecuted Christianity (before his conversion) or he proclaimed it (after his conversion). I am going to be like him by trying to turn to Jesus more often, just like St. Paul did when he found out that Jesus was the Christ, and then changed himself as much as he could.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 5 SAINT TERESA OF LISIEAUX – CHOSEN BY ALYSSA – MARIE TINIO

• She lived from 1873 to 1897, and was from Alencon, France. St. Therese lived a very religious life. As a child she frequently prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a young teenager she was diagnosed with an illness that was unexplained by doctors. Her sister visited her at home and set a relic of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the foot of her bed. The young St. Therese Martin was healed mentally and physically. She was then accepted into a at the age 15. In the convent some of the did not treat her well but she stayed strong and got through it. After her death, she became one of three women to granted the title Doctor of the Catholic Church. • I chose St. Therese of Lisieux to be my confirmation saint because I have always heard her ever since I was a kid and always admired her dedication and persistence to God and her religion. I admire that after her mother’s death she was unhappy and turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary for comfort. She also remained strong, unselfish, and religious through all of her struggles. I hope to be able to turn to someone to give me guidance through tough times, and to remember that I am not alone during times of distress.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY 6 SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO – CHOSEN BY AZAREL TCHEUMENI NGOUNOU

• He lived from 1603 to 1663 in Cupertino Italy. It was said that St. Joseph Cupertino completely ignored people when they tried to prank him by putting pins and burning embers in his shirt, and only listened to direct orders from his superiors. He was unclever, but prone to miraculous levitation and intense ecstatic visions. He was abused by his family and was not as smart as his peers, but still was a generally good person.

• I admire his selflessness and how he cared for the poor. I am going to be like Saint Joseph Cupertino by caring for others who are less fortunate.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC 7 SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL – CHOSEN BY BLAKE TRICE

• Saint Michel the Archangel acts as a defender of the Church and chief opponent of Satan. He is the patron saint for policy officers, the military, the sick, the Catholic Church, and . • I admire Saint Michel the Archangel because my Dad is a police officer. • I am going to be like my Confirmation saint by protecting people in my everyday life.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 8 SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL – CHOSEN BY BRIANA RAMIREZ

• St. Katherine Drexel was born in 1858 in Philadelphia and died in 1955. She is considered to be the patron saint of racial justice and of philanthropists. Her mother died five weeks after she was born. Katherine and her sister were cared for by their aunt and uncle until their father’s remarriage in 1860. Later, Katherine’s devout step mother had a long and painful battle with terminal cancer and considered it as a pivotal time in her life. In 1885 her father died leaving her with large inheritance from his family business, the Drexel Bank. • Saint Katherine Drexel believed that all people should have access to education. She funded schools and churches for African Americans and Native Americans in the West and South.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 9 SAINT GEORGE – CHOSEN BY CHIEBUKA NWACHUKWU

• Saint George is my confirmation saint because I admired that fact that he was brave and courageous. I also like the fact that he stood firmly with his religious beliefs protesting against the Roman emperor, 's persecution of Christians. I admire that he was a selfless, brave, and a courageous man. He was from , which is located in modern day Turkey.

• I am going to be like my saint: to stand firmly by my catholic faith, be a brave and courageous young man, and always be selfless towards other people. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 10 SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI – CHOSEN BY CYDRICH MORENO

• He lived from 1181 to 1226 in Assisi, Italy, and sacrificed his life of wealth to live in hardship to get closer to Christ. Saint Francis of Assisi is well known for his devotion to the Catholic Church and receiving the stigmata.

• I chose St. Francis of Assisi to be my confirmation saint because of his passion in serving God and his focus on nature. I admire his love for nature and thoughtfulness toward others. I am going to be like him by forgiving others, putting God first before anything else, and maintaining a strong relationship with God and others. 11 SAINT JOSEPH – CHOSEN BY DASIA GUMAPAC

• Saint Joseph said yes to God’s plan and faithfully followed God’s plan for his life. He lived from circa 100 B.C.E to 1 A.D. Something that is interesting about St. Joseph is that he has no recorded words in the Scripter but was still a very important person in the scripture.

• I choose St. Joseph to be my confirmation saint because his feast day is the same day as my birthday and ever since I was a child I looked up to him. He was very obedient to God’s words and protected his family as a great father. I am going to be like my Saint by always saying “yes” to God’s plan and trusting that He will guide and protect me. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY 12 SAINT SEBASTIAN – CHOSEN BY ELIZABETH SANDERS

• He lived from 256 AD to 288 AD and was born in, France but raised and educated in , Italy. He served as a Praetorian Guard in the Roman Army and was known for his goodness and bravery. Emperor Diocletian sentenced St. Sebastian to death because he was a Christian and converted others. He was tied to a tree during his execution and used as target practice by archers. • He is the patron saint of athletes and as a competitive hockey player, I relate to his qualities. I admire Saint Sebastian’s courage and bravery because he converted people to Christianity even though he could be killed for it, and he always fought for what he believed in. I am going to stand up for what I believe in and have courage and bravery like Saint Sebastian, in whatever I do. 13 SAINT GIANNA MOLLA – CHOSEN BY GIE MARIE CUNANAN

• She lived a model Christian life of heroic virtue, caring for mothers, babies, the elderly, and the poor. St. Gianna Molla was from Magenta, Italy and lived from 1922 - 1962. She was a pediatrician and the tenth child of thirteen children. She lived a life helping others which I think is important.

• I admire her dedication to both of her studies in medicine and religion, her empathy to people in need, and putting others before herself. I am going to be like my saint by caring for others in need and working hard in my studies to become a follower to God’s word and for my studies to be a future pediatric surgeon.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY 14 BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – CHOSEN BY GISELLE VALLE RODRIGUEZ

• She conceived Jesus while being a virgin. This was done through the Holy Spirit. The birth date of the Blessed Virgin Mary is unknown but this day is traditionally celebrated on September 8th. It is estimated that she died after 33 A.D. St. Mary was from Nazareth, , and is known as the greatest of all saints. • I choose her to be my confirmation saint because my middle name is Guadalupe. This is another name that she is known by, Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Blessed Virgin Mary is my favorite saint and I have always heard about her, since I was little. I admire the fact that she had lots of courage. I am going to be like her by trusting in

God and following the plan that I know God has for me. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 15 SAINT AGNES OF – CHOSEN BY GRACE MARY YESSO

• Saint Agnes of Rome is the patron saint of those seeking chastity and purity. St. Agnes lived from 291 to 304 in Rome, Italy. Something that is interesting about St. Agnes is that she refused marriage because she wanted no spouse but Jesus Christ. She is a saint because of the legend around her martyrdom. • I chose St. Agnes of Rome to be my confirmation saint because I admire her dedication to Christianity, especially how she chose death at such a young age instead of renouncing her faith and beliefs. She was my age when martyred, she was determined, and she was devoted to her faith. I am going to be like my saint by never renouncing my faith and being loyal to Jesus Christ. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 16 SAINT ROCH - CHOSEN BY HEINRICH URBANO

• Saint Roch lived from 1348 to 1376 and was from Montpellier, France. He helped many people during the plague. • I chose Saint Roch because he is the patron saint of dogs. I admire how he was strongly religious at a very young age. • I'm going to take care of, respect and protect dogs. • I want to be able to help sick people if they ever need anyone.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 17 SAINT ANTHONY THE – CHOSEN BY ISABELLA UM

• He lived from 251 to 356, in Egypt. Saint Anthony the Abbott is known as the father of all monks. He liked animals. • Saint Anthony the Abbot was a noble example of an ascetic life, which included sacrifice and extreme solitude. • I am going to be like Saint Anthony the Abbot by giving to the ones in need.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 18 SAINT JOSEPH – CHOSEN BY ISAIAH ESTEBAN

• He was the foster father of Jesus and the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He followed God’s plan faithfully and protected his family from danger. God sent an angel to warn him about King Herod’s plan to kill all the infants and was told to move to Egypt. • He was from Bethlehem, Israel and returned there because of the census count. St. Joseph’s lineage can be traced back to King David. • I like how he followed every command from God. I admire his obedience to God and how he protected his family. I will follow all of God’s orders and obey Him. 19 SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS – CHOSEN BY JANELLE SIMO

• He was a great teacher for young men who were entering the priesthood. St. Thomas lived from 1225 to 1274, and was from Roccasecca, Italy. His feast day is January 28th. He was born and raised in a castle.

• I chose St. Thomas of Aquinas to be my confirmation saint because he was very smart and he gave up his life of riches to serve God. St. Thomas gave up living in a castle and having a life many people at the time would have loved, to study and help priests in the seminary. I liked that St. Thomas was very smart and is one of the well-

known philosophers of the church. I want to be full of knowledge and love God so This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC much that I am willing to give up everything for him. BY-SA 20 SAINT JOHN VIANNEY– CHOSEN BY JASON FERONY

• Saint John Vianney was very religious when he was young and escaped the military for his faith. He became a priest later in life. His pastoral work in his parish in Ars, France led to spiritual transformation of his community and surroundings, living from 1786 to 1859. During the last 10 years of his life, he spent 16 to 18 hours a day in the confessional. • I admire that St. John Vianney and his family were interested in helping the poor. I also like that he was so concerned about the souls of the people of France that he held confessions all day long. I am going to be like him by: treating people with respect, helping the poor, and taking my faith seriously now and throughout my life. 21 SAINT ANTHONY – CHOSEN BY KARIS BYNUM

• Saint Anthony lived from 1195 to 1231 and was from Lisbon, Portugal. He was known for his powerful preaching of God’s word. Saint Anthony also had a great love and devotion to the poor.

• I chose Saint Anthony to be my confirmation saint because he helps people find lost and / or stolen things. When a person finds things that they lost, they are happy. I want others to be happy. Similar to Saint Anthony, I want to always talk about God with others and praise Him.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC 22 SAINT MARIA GORETTI – CHOSEN BY KERRIGAN HENRY

• She set an example for young teens to forgive everyone, even the worst of people. St. Maria Goretti lived from 1890 to 1902 in Corinaldo, Italy. Something that is interesting about St. Maria Goretti is that she was one of the youngest saints to be canonized. • I chose St. Maria Goretti to be my confirmation saint because she is a role model to everyone going through tough times. Maria forgave her killer and rapist before she passed away. I admire her will to have a good heart and follow God. I will always forgive people for their wrongs and be eager to live like God would want me to. 23 SAINT TERESA OF KOLKATA – CHOSEN BY KOSIDINNA ACHIKEH

• She lived from 1910 to 1997, and was born in Macedonia as Agnes Bojaxhiu. Saint Teresa of Kolkata dedicated her life to caring for the sick, dying, hungry and nameless people all over the world. • I chose her to be my confirmation saint because of how she cared about the less fortunate, and I do too. I admire how

caring and selfless she was. I want to be like her by helping the This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND less fortunate and putting others before myself. 24 BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS – CHOSEN BY LEO BONEFEDE

• He is not a saint yet but many faithful believe he will be because he has already performed a miracle from heaven and as soon as a second miracle is attributed to him, he can be canonized. He lived from 1991 to h 2006 and lived in Milan, Italy. He liked computers and was a skilled web designer. • I can identify with his love for computer games and the internet. I can also identify with his love for Jesus and the Eucharist. He was pious because he went to Mass every day. He even brought his parents back to the Church, because they weren’t practicing their faith regularly. He was humble because he would not accept a second pair of shoes from his parents. He proved his faith by accepting his diagnosis for terminal leukemia without losing his faith in God. Like Carlo did, I will also try to help those in need especially fellow students who

aren’t popular, and I will try to teach others about my faith. I will be pious and try to go to This Photo church every Sunday when the pandemic ends and pray to God often. Despite the pandemic by Unknown Author is I will still have faith in God and know that things will get better soon. I’ll also try to learn licensed under CC more about Eucharistic Miracles, like the ones that Carlo shared on the website he built. BY-SA 25 SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT – CHOSEN BY LYLE ABLAZA

• Saint Marcellin Joseph Benedict Champagnat was born in France in 1789. He was a man of simplicity, compassion, open-mindedness and trust in God, and Blessed Virgin Mary. He died on June 6, 1840. • In 1817 he encouraged two young men to join him in forming the nucleus of the Marist Brothers, and motivated them for teaching and spreading the gospel. • I chose Saint Marcellin Champagnat to be my Confirmation saint because he was like a person who starts and never stops. He always wanted to help. I admire this quality because of how devoted he was.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC 26 SAINT JOAN OF ARC – BY MAKENZIE SMITH

• She was born in 1412 to pious peasants in a small village in medieval France. Saint Joan was not taught to read or write, but her mother instilled a deep love for the Catholic Church and its teachings. At the age of 13, she began to hear voices of saints and was convinced that these voices had been sent by God to give her a mission: to save France by expelling its enemies, and to install Charles as its rightful king. As part of this divine mission, Joan took a vow of chastity. With no military training, Joan convinced Charles to allow her to lead a French army to the besieged city of Orléans, and promised that she would see him crowned as king. Dressed in white armor and riding a white horse, in 1429, she led assaults that drove the enemy Burgundians out. After the victory, she and her followers escorted Charles across enemy territory taking towns and enabling his coronation as King Charles the VII. • In spring of 1430, King Charles the VII ordered Joan to confront another Burgundian assault. She was thrown from her horse and left outside the town’s gates as they closed. The enemy Burgundians took her captive but King Charles the VII did not negotiate her release. In 1431, she signed a confession denying that she had ever received divine guidance, and the authorities ordered her death. On May 30, 1432, at the age of 19, Joan was burned at the stake in Rouen, France. 27 SAINT MARGARET OF – CHOSEN BY MADISON SMITH

• She was born in Antioch (Turkey), the daughter of a pagan priest. Her mother died soon after her birth and she was nursed by a Christian woman. Margaret embraced Christianity and consecrated her virginity to God. Because of this, her father disowned her, and she went to live in the country with her nurse and raised sheep. One day while tending the flock, the of the of the East asked Margaret to marry him, but demanded that she renounce Christianity. When she refused him, she was arrested and was thrown into a dungeon. While there, she was tortured, during which various miraculous incidents occurred. Satan came and tempted her in the form of a dragon. As she made the Sign of the Cross, the dragon fled, then returned, swallowed her, and she was able to burst out. When Margaret was led out to be beheaded, she thanked God that the end of her hard life had arrived and prayed that in memory of her miraculous deliverance out of the womb of the dragon, women in labor who invoked her might find help through her sufferings. • I admire her bravery. I like how she never gave up her faith for God even when people said that they were going to kill her if she didn’t. I am going to be like my saint by always trusting God and not forgetting about Him even if somebody tries to make me.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 28 SAINT DYMPHNA – CHOSEN BY MARY KATE NEW

• Saint Dymphna lived and died in the 7th century, in . She consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of Chasity at the age of 14.

• She focused on devoting her life to God and on helping others.

• I chose her to be my confirmation saint because I feel like I connect with her in a special way. I admire that she tried to help the mentally ill and that she devoted her life to Christ at a young age.

• I am going to help others just like she did. I want to help educate others about mental illnesses and the effects they can have on people.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 29 SAINT AUGUSTINE – CHOSEN BY MILES GOODING

• He was born in the year 340, in northern , which today is Algeria. St. Augustine did not like school and spent much of his time playing with friends. His teachers would often punish him for not answering correctly. Finally, he discovered that he loved the language, worked very hard to study Latin, and showed everyone he was actually very intelligent. He started off living a reckless life and his mother, Saint Monica, prayed for his conversion. He became a priest and , and died in 430. He wrote a famous book called City of God that showed people the difference between living on Earth and living with God in Heaven. He also wrote another book called Confessions. • I like that his mother prayed for him and that although it took him a long time, he realized in the end that he wanted to be a follower of God. I also sometimes struggle with my school work but I know that my mother is always praying for me. His path to the Lord is very relatable in today’s world. I am going to be like him by helping others to know God and always trusting in God, even when things in my life are difficult.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 30 SAINT PATRICK – CHOSEN BY MISAEL TCHEUMENI NGOUNOU

• He lived from 387 to 461, in Ireland. St. Patrick was captured by pirates. He was not damaged by anything when he prayed. It is said that he felt no discomfort from the snow or ice or rain.

• I chose him to be my confirmation saint because his life was interesting to me. I admire how he lived a very long life and prayed 100 times a day.

• I am going to be like Saint Patrick by praying and making sure my relationship with God is great.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 31 SAINT JOAN OF ARC – CHOSEN BY PHINELLE SIMO

• Saint Joan of Arc showed great courage and faith while fighting in the Hundred Years’ war, always listened to God, and preached His word whenever she could. She lived from 1412 to 1431 in France. Saint Joan of Arc was the inspiration for the ladies “bob haircut”, which originated in Paris in 1909.

• I chose her to be my confirmation saint because I read a book about her over the summer and I felt like I could relate to her, as well as look up to

her. I admire that she was brave, smart, outspoken, strong, and humble. I This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA am going to be like my saint by showing leadership, staying modest, and doing things that I am afraid of doing. 32 SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY – CHOSEN BY TAYLOR PRESCOTT

• She is the patron saint of bakers, beggars, brides, and charities. She turned to a life of Christ after her husband’s death, and lived from 1207 to 1231. Her feast day is November 17th.

• I chose Saint Elizabeth to be my confirmation saint because she used her wealth for good. She gave away royal clothing and goods to sick and poor people. She built a hospital in honor of St. Francis, and personally attended to the sick and helped poor people. I admire her special qualities of being respected, charitable, and helping the sick. I want to be known for my charitable nature and the giving of gifts to the world.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 33 SAINT CECILIA – CHOSEN BY TYLER DORRIS

• She spent her whole life showing others to God through music. She lived from 200 AD to 230 AD in Rome, Italy. She continued the work of converting people to the Christian faith and of burying the Christian dead, even though it was against the law. Hundreds were baptized through her witness and strength of faith. She planned to have her home preserved as a church after her death. Her refusal to worship false gods and her burying of the dead lead to her arrest.

• I chose her because we both enjoy singing and music. I will try to be like her by becoming closer to God through music, spreading the word about God to

my non-religious friends, and spending more time in prayer. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC 34 SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI – CHOSEN BY VEA CORDERO

• She was one of the followers of St. Francis of Assisi, founded the order of Poor Ladies and was renamed to honor her as Order of St Clare. She lived from July 16, 1194 to August 11, 1253 in Assisi, Italy. It is interesting that she was born into a wealthy Italian family but embrace the life of poverty. St. Clare was a mystic, religious, and foundress. • I admire that she lived a religious life, was generous to her fellow sisters, had passion for poverty and was obedient to her , St. Francis Assisi. • I am going to be like my saint by following the will and great ideals of the gospel, being prayerful, obedient, helpful, and generous.