Throughout the course of history and across cultures, names have carried special meaning beyond the simple identification of a family or individual. First names have commonly been given upon birth or baptism, and Catholics in particular have practiced bestowing new names upon those receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. In a similar way, individuals entering religious life in the convent or monastery have traditionally received new names as a symbol of their initiation and new life in religion, and thus distinguishing them from their name in the “world.” This practice can be traced back to biblical times as Abram became Abraham (Genesis 17:5); Simon became Peter (Matthew 16:18); and Saul became Paul (Acts of the Apostles 13:9) in the time of great spiritual transformation.
In the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) and Vincentian Sisters of Charity (VSC) congregations, Sisters typically received their new religious name upon entrance to the Novitiate. Before her reception, a postulant would offer three names to her Novice Mistress. Often times, Sisters drew inspiration for their new names from family members, personal spiritual devotions, or even books of names. Ultimately the decision of a Sister’s new name would be in the hands of the Novice Mistress and/or Mother Superior. According to VSC formation records on a Sisters’ investiture into community, “at the last Blessing, the new Novices receive their religious names, and having thus turned aside from all worldly ties, they are received into the Novitiate.” Thus, this new name would represent her new life in religion.
A page from an SCN vow register lists the Sisters by their “Name in the World” and “Name in Religion,” which exemplifies the distinction of receiving a new name.
Naming Practices
One of the main requirements for religious names was that they be unique and distinct within the community. Historically, this practice served a practical purpose—it would become confusing to have numerous Sisters named Mary, Margaret, or Ann, and typically surnames were not used as they were seen as tying a Sister to the “world.”
The SCN Early Annals document the earliest example of this tradition:
“On the 15th of December, 1815, Miss Harriet Suttle—Sr. Elizabeth—the first to celebrate her Golden Jubilee, came to unite herself to the Community. She was the eleventh member and the first to change her name. That was done because there was already a Sr. Harriet.”
SCN Early Annals, pages 12-13.
To maintain this distinction, Sisters in the SCN community often received two names, as seen in the names of Sister Agnes Clarissa (Burch), Sister Aloysius Gonzaga (Roberts), and Sister Charles Borremeo (Alvey). It also led to unique names in the SCN and VSC communities such as Sister Etheldreda (Willet), Sister Basilissa (Starke), Sister Euphrosine (Polcha) VSC, and Sister Pancratius (Morovic) VSC. The requirement for unique names could even affect Sisters who temporarily left religious life and later returned. If another Sister had received their former religious name in the meantime, they would need to choose a new one upon their return.
Such was the experience of Sister Mary Eugene Ivie, who recounted the history of her name in her Marie Menard Committee story:
“At Nazareth on March 25, 1936 she received the habit and was given the name of Sister Margaret Rose. The next year on March 12, 1937 Lucille left the SCN Novitiate for health reasons and returned home.
God continued to call Lucille/ Lucy and she reentered the SCN Community on September 24,1938. She has fond memories of Sister Samuel O’Bryan , her Novice Mistress. Following the Novitiate process at that time she received the habit the next March 25,1939 and the name “ Sister Mary Eugene.”
There is a nice story about her name. By this time another Sister had the name of Margaret Rose. When asked her choice for a name, Lucille found out that Mother Ann Sebastian Sullivan wanted one of the new novices to take the name of Eugene in honor of the just elected Pope Pius XII. His name had been Eugenio Pacelli. Lucille was willing.
Finally on March 25,1940 Lucille/Sister Mary Eugene made first vows and began her long years of dedicated service.”
Several Sisters were willing to share the stories behind their religious names, offering a glimpse into the traditions, personal reflections, and unexpected moments that shaped this important part of their religious journeys.
Sister Amrita Manjaly
“My maiden name /baptismal name is Annie Manjaly Varkey. And this name followed in my school/ college register, certificates etc. in short- Annie M.V. When I entered the novitiate in 1979, it was the SCN community’s rule that we all had to change our names, and we were asked to give three choices. I didn’t like that idea of changing my name since I liked my name as Annie. So, I gave my three choices as- 1. Annie, 2. Annie, 3. Annie.
Our Novice Director then, Sister Shalini D’Souza and the Provincial Sister Margaret Roderigues [sic] responded as – 1. No. 2. No. 3. No.
I had no choice but to change my name. I prayed and reflected on what name to take. Those days, as novices we were given several spiritual books as well as reflective, inspiring story books to read. I was reading a story book based on a woman called AMRITA from West Bengal State in India and I liked her life story, the way she served the people of West Bengal. Her courage and resilience touched me deeply. After much prayer and reflection, I chose the name Amrita from then on as a religious sister.
With much courage and trembling, I wrote to my parents that I had to change my name as I enter the novitiate and I have chosen as Amrita. Initially, they didn’t like it either and later my father wrote to me saying, “You may choose whatever name you like as you have decided to follow Jesus and he’ll guide you.”
On the day of my First Profession on September 27, 1981, when Sister Margaret Roderigues, the then Provincial called out in the Church,- “ Sister Amrita Manjaly” I was shivering, but stoop up and responded, “Here I am Lord”.
Since then, no turning back.”
Sister Sarah Marie Geier
Sister Sarah Geier shared that the custom in the VSC community surrounding name changes was for postulants to submit three names several weeks prior to reception and profession day, which was traditionally held on August 15th. Only one name would be approved by the Mother Superior, so postulants began fervently searching for their new names. Sister Sarah shared that postulants would often refer to family names, imagination, or even a shared book of names to draw inspiration. She noted that “occasionally an older Sister would say ‘I think your name will be Sister Cunnigunda.’” Often times, it was common to have a masculine religious name. Sister Sarah held a particular devotion to St. Anthony, and Anthony Marie was her top choice. She also like Nadine, which she had found in a book, and David John, in honor of one of her brothers.
Sister Sarah shared these details of her reception as a Vincentian Sister of Charity:
“I felt so sure that my first name would be chosen. On Reception Day, in the presence of all the Sisters, each postulant approached the sanctuary and received a bundle of clothing and exited the chapel to a nearby room. Appointed ‘angels’ assisted in the dressing with the habit and white veil. The veil had a small crown of artificial white roses.
When all were dressed, they entered the chapel to the sanctuary and stood, in order of seniority, facing the altar and the bishop. One by one, in order of seniority, the bishop called each new novice by her baptismal name then said ‘in religion you will be known as Sister…’ I was so happy with each pronouncement thinking to myself ‘she got her first choice,’ or, ‘she got her second choice.’ There were twelve of us, I was third from last. When I heard ‘Sarah Marie Geier, in religion you will be known as Sister …’ it was NONE of my choices! I tried to be brave and leaned on my intention to accept whatever God wanted for me. I was willing to change my name be all I could be, go wherever I might be sent.
The Mass continued with joyful music and prayer. As we processed from the chapel, someone asked about my name. I thought I heard the bishop say ‘Virginette’ but the other person heard something different. I finally went in search of the Mother Superior. She was a tall, stern woman. I asked, ‘what is my name?’ She responded by spelling aloud V – i – r – g – i – n – e – l – l- e. However, when she got to the ‘l’ and said ‘double l’ I thought with horror that she said ‘W.’ ‘W?’ My name has a ‘w’ in it! But she was just saying ‘double l.’ Virginelle. My name was Virginelle! Later in the day one of the Sisters said ‘that isn’t even a name!’ She began chanting Virginellie and singing ‘Oh the cow kicked Nellie in the barn.’”
Vincentian Sisters of Charity received their habits and religious names upon reception into the Novitiate, undated.
Naming Traditions in the VSC Community
Although the SCN and VSC congregations shared the practice of assigning religious names, their naming conventions were not identical. Similarly to the SCNs, VSCs were required to have unique names for spiritual and practical matters. Many in the congregation were Slovak, and it was customary at the time for Slovak daughters to be named “Anna” or “Mary.” In a postulant register list from 1928, the list of girls entering the community shows the frequency of the same baptismal names, which necessitated receiving unique names in religious life.
VSC postulant list which shows there would be many Sisters “Mary” and “Anna” before reception into the Novitiate.
The VSC community traditionally used “Mary” as an honorific first name for its Sisters, even though it did not have a particular Marian devotion comparable to that of communities such as the Carmelites or the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM). Sisters were formally known as “Sister Mary…” or “Sister M…” followed by their distinctive religious name. For instance, Sister Euphrosine would have been written as “Mary Euphrosine” or “M. Euphrosine” but likely commonly referred to as simply “Euphrosine.” Records dating back to the early twentieth century, as new members joined the community following its establishment in the United States, illustrate this naming convention. After the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), the Marian titled was usually dropped in formal writing. Some Sisters chose to keep their original religious names, sans Mary, and others in the VSC community returned to their baptismal names.
As Sisters were received into the Novitiate, their new names were documented in the community chronicles. Note the use of the honorific “M” before their distinct names.
Changes After Vatican II
Many changes in religious life took place as a result of Vatican II. Many women religious congregations began examining their constitutions and customs in order to adapt to the great changes in the Church. One of these changes involved the practice of receiving a new religious name. Since the documents of Vatican II, such as Perfectae Caritas, emphasized religious life as “deeply rooted” in baptism, the requirement of a unique religious name was no longer commonplace, and Sisters were free to return to their baptismal names since their baptismal names still reflected this connection to their vocation. While many Sisters chose to do so, others retained their religious names, with some even making them their legal names. As evident in Sister Amrita’s story, SCNs in India were still given religious names in their formation process even after Vatican II. Whether a Sister chose to keep or receive a name in religion, or return to her baptismal name, both reflected her identity, vocation, and spiritual devotion.
Sister Thérèse Arru
Sister Thérèse, named Mary Louise after her parents Mary Rose and Louis Anthony, recalled that Thérèse her top choice for her new religious name. After going by “Mary Lou” for most of her life, she desired a single name that was not a nickname. She also recalled being very impressed with St. Therese and fondly remembers a statue of the saint in her church growing up. When the changes of Vatican II allowed for Sisters to return to their baptismal names, Sister Therese was one who chose to keep her religious name for the same reasons that she desired the name upon entering religious life.
Sister Maria Vincent Brocato
Sister Maria Vincent was also one of the Sisters that chose to keep her religious name after Vatican II. In 1998, after her election as president of the SCN congregation, Sister Maria Vincent had her first name legally changed from Barbara to Maria Vincent. Because her new role would require international travel to visit the global SCN community, the legal name change would also simplify her travel arrangements.
She only briefly considered returning to Barbara, but knew that once Sisters returned to their baptismal names, there would be many Barbaras in community. Sister also recalled barely being called Barbara while growing up, as most people called her “sister” as is customary in Southern families. Beyond practical considerations, Sister Maria Vincent felt a deep personal connection to her religious name. When she entered religious life, she wanted a name that reflected both her family and her faith. Her mother and grandmother were named Mary, while her grandfather, father, and brother were named Vincent. These names also connected her to St. Vincent de Paul, patron of the SCN congregation, and the Blessed Mother Mary.
Because Sister Mary Vincent O’Neill had entered the community just a year earlier, Sister Maria explored other combinations and variations of the names she wanted. Her three choices were Maria Vincent, Ruth, and Miriam Vincent. Ruth was inspired by a favorite teacher, while Miriam Vincent offered another variation of “Mary Vincent.”
Sister Maria fondly recalled the morning she received her habit and religious name. As the Novice Director began the words, “You will now be known as…,” she held her breath, hoping to hear her first choice. When she heard “Maria Vincent,” she was overjoyed. She also remembered how proud her father was of her new name. After her perpetual vows, she posed for a photograph with her father and brother, both named Vincent. When the photographer asked her name, she replied, “Maria Vincent,” prompting her father to remark, “Like my name!”
The traditions surrounding religious names in the SCN and VSC communities reveal how something as seemingly simple as a name can carry profound meaning. For many Sisters, a new name represented obedience and the willingness to embrace providence. For others, it reflected a devotion to a saint, honored a beloved family member, or expressed a deeply personal sense of calling to religious life. Even as religious naming customs changed after Vatican II, the stories behind these names remained an important part of the Sisters’ histories as each name tells a story of faith and identity.
If you are a Sister and would like to share the story of your religious name, please contact Veronica Priest, Archivist, at vpriest@nazareth.org or (502) 331-4517.