Gifts · Confirmation
Confirmation gifts: the saint whose name they chose
At Confirmation a young person chooses a saint’s name and a sponsor to stand behind them. A statue of that saint is one of the most personal gifts the day allows.
What Confirmation is about
In Ireland Confirmation is usually celebrated in sixth class, by the bishop or a priest he delegates. It completes the grace of Baptism: the young person is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and takes on the faith as their own, rather than something their parents chose for them.
Two choices make the day personal. The first is the Confirmation name — a saint they have read about and chosen as a patron. The second is the sponsor, who stands behind them with a hand on their shoulder and promises to help them live the faith. Often the sponsor is a godparent; sometimes an aunt, uncle, older cousin or family friend.
Both choices point towards a statue as a gift. A statue of the Confirmation saint makes the name more than a line on a certificate. And for a sponsor, it is a lasting sign of the promise they made.
Popular Confirmation saints we carry
If the saint they chose is not here, see the note on custom carving below.
St Thérèse of Lisieux
A much-loved Confirmation name for girls. Her ‘little way’ — doing ordinary things with great love — speaks to teenagers better than almost anything.
St Joseph
A steady choice for boys: hard-working, quiet, faithful, and the patron of fathers and workers.
St Padre Pio
A twentieth-century saint many young people already know from a grandparent’s house. A good choice for someone who wants a patron for prayer and confession.
St Bernadette
An ordinary, unschooled girl whom Our Lady chose at Lourdes. A patron for anyone who feels overlooked.
St Francis of Assisi
Loved by young people for his care of creation and the poor. We have no St Francis in stock at the moment, but one can be carved in marble to order.
Irish saints
Patrick, Brigid and the other saints of this island are natural Confirmation names. There are none in the catalogue yet; a parish or sponsor who wants one can ask us about a carved piece.
Saint statues for Confirmation
St Joseph
Hand-painted resin · plain or glitter
From €60
Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette
Hand-painted resin · the pair
€240
St Joseph with the Child Jesus
Hand-painted resin · glitter finish
From €60
St Thérèse of Lisieux
Hand-painted resin
€260
St Bernadette
Hand-painted resin
€120
St Joseph
Hand-carved marble
€1,700
St Padre Pio
Hand-carved marble
€1,600
St Thérèse of Lisieux
Hand-carved marble
€1,600
If their saint is hard to find
Plenty of young people take Mary as their Confirmation name, or a name like Anne or Michael that is harder to find as a statue. For Mary, any of the titles of Our Lady works — Our Lady of Knock has a special place in Ireland, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel suits someone who wears the brown scapular.
If the saint is one we do not stock, marble can be carved to order. It takes longer and costs more than an off-the-shelf statue, so it is a gift for a sponsor who wants to make a real gesture, and it needs to be started well before the day. Tell us the saint and the size, and we will quote before anything begins: see custom statues.
Another approach: give the young person the statue of a saint who will mean something later — Our Lady, the Sacred Heart or Christ the King — and leave the patron saint to a medal or a holy card. There is no wrong answer.
Resin or marble for a twelve-year-old?
Painted resin is the usual choice: it looks like the saint in the holy card, it is lighter, and it is easy to send. Marble is for when you want the gift to feel serious and permanent — something they may take to college, or one day to their own home. Either way, check the height on the product page against the shelf it will stand on.
Order ahead of the date. Confirmation dates are set by the parish around the bishop’s calendar; if yours is close, ask us what is possible before ordering.
Confirmation gift questions
What does a Confirmation sponsor usually give?
There is no fixed rule. Many sponsors give something religious that will last — a statue of the Confirmation saint, a Bible or a rosary — alongside or instead of money.
Can I get a statue of a saint you don’t list?
In marble, yes: we can have it carved to order. We quote first, and nothing is started until you agree.
Should I give it before or after the ceremony?
Either works. Some sponsors give it on the morning so it can be blessed after the Confirmation Mass; others have it waiting at home. If you want it sent to the young person’s house, use their address at checkout — we deliver anywhere in Ireland.
Tell us the Confirmation name
Send us the saint they chose and we will tell you what we have, or what a carved piece would involve.
Updated
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Made to order
Not in the catalogue? It can still be carved. If it can be carved, we can carve it — send us a photograph or a drawing of what you have in mind and we will tell you what it takes to make it.