The Kennedy clans confirmation names, patron saints, & meanings (of what I can find)
*only Jack & Rosemary’s are confirmed with documentation, confirmation names are deeply personal in the Catholic faith and this speculation is not meant to be taken disrespectfully.
Note on naming conventions: In traditional Catholic practice, if a child's given legal or middle name is already that of a saint, they frequently retain it for the Sacrament of Confirmation rather than choosing a new one.
— Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
Likely Confirmation Saint: St. Joseph (Patron Saint of the Universal Church, workers, carpenters, and a happy death)
Context: No explicit confirmation record was found, he likely retained his given name following traditional Catholic naming customs.
*The Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation honors St. Raphael (Patron Saint of healing and mental illness), likely reflecting advocacy for his sister Rosemary.
Confirmation Saint: St. Francis of Assisi (Patron Saint of animals, ecology, and the environment)
Context: Jack’s presidency heralded a "New Frontier" for conservation, advocating strongly for the protection of national seashores, wildlife refuges, and public recreational spaces.
Confirmation Saint: St. Louise de Marillac (Patron Saint of social workers, widows, orphans, and the sick)
Context: Aligns closely with Rosemary’s gentle nature and caring demeanor early in life, as well as her work in montessori education. It also aligns with her disabilities and afflictions later in life due to lobotomy. This name was chosen by her during her confirmation with Jack.
Likely Confirmation Saint: St. Catherine of Siena or St. Catherine of Alexandria
Context: No exact record; however, "Kathleen" originates as an Irish diminutive of "Catherine" ("little Catherine"), suggesting she adopted one of the St. Catherines based on naming tradition.
Likely Confirmation Saint: St. Patricia of Naples (Patron Saint of Naples and pilgrims)
Context: Unconfirmed, but likely retained her given saint's name per naming tradition.
Likely Confirmation Saint: St. Eunice (Biblical figure associated with mothers, parents, and Christian educators), again, likely retained through naming tradition.
Likely Confirmation Saint: St. Francis Xavier (Patron Saint of Catholic missionaries and sailors) or St. Francis of Assisi
Context: RFK was deeply devout throughout his life and served in the U.S. Navy. The connection to St. Francis of Assisi stems from his legal middle name.
Likely Confirmation Saint: St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (Patron Saint of teachers) or St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Patron Saint of widows and the forgotten)
Confirmation Saint: St. Thomas More (Patron Saint of statesmen, politicians, lawyers, and civil servants.)
Context: Recorded as having been assigned by the priest in his memoir. ( thanks to @californiastrs for sharing! )
Jack & Rosemary Kennedy's First Communion, April 27, 1928, Parish of St. Margaret of Cortona — Riverdale, Bronx, New York
Pat’s Confirmation & Bobby’s first Communion, Bronxville, NY
Jean’s confirmation photos, Bronxville, NY
Teddy’s confirmation photos, Palm Beach, 1942
