The First Communion, a Brief Introduction

First Communion is traditionally an important religious ceremony for Roman Catholic families. Also, among those raised Catholic, Holy Communion is the third sacrament received from the seven sacraments. This is traditionally practiced by many Roman Catholic families, including Spanish, Italians, Latin Americans, Scottish, Irish and Polish.  Traditions surrounding First Communion usually include large family gatherings and parties to celebrate the event and special clothing is usually worn. The clothing is often white to symbolize purity. Girls often wear fancy dresses and a veil attached to a wreath of flowers or hair ornament. In other communities, girls commonly wear dresses passed down to them from sisters or mothers, or even simply their school uniforms plus the veil and/or wreath. In many Latin America countries, boys wear military-style dress uniforms with gold braid aiguilettes. In Switzerland and Luxembourg, both boys and girls wear plain white robes with brown wooden crosses around their necks. In Scotland, boys traditionally wear kilts and other traditional Scottish dress which accompany the kilt. Gifts of a religious nature are usually given, such as rosaries, prayer books, in addition to religious statues and icons. Gifts of cash are also common. Many families have formal professional photographs taken in addition to candid snapshots in order to commemorate the event. Some churches arrange for a professional photographer after the ceremony. 

Preparation for First Communion falls to the Pastor of the particular congregation or parish.  The duty of preparing candidates for First Communion is the most important that can fall to the lot of a pastor (O'Kane, Rubrics of Rom. Rit., p. 391). This is amply recognized by the Church in every country, for almost every diocese has its statutes regulating with scrupulous exactness all the preliminaries of this sacred and solemn event (cf. Decr. of III Plen. Balt., no. 217, 218, etc.). A long course of religious instruction is usually prescribed while the moral training and virtuous formation of the mind is also urgently insisted upon. In regard to First Communion it may be observed that one, it should take place during pascal time. Two, that it should be received as a rule in the parochial church, unless the consent of the pastor is had for receiving it elsewhere.  Three, that no effort should be spared to fix the occasion indelibly on the mind of the young communicant; and four, that for this purpose the Mass at which it is received should be celebrated with special solemnity, boys and girls being suitably attired and assigned to separate sections of the church.

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Sources:

1)  Wikipedia contributors, "First Communion," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=First_Communion&oldid=553701425 (accessed May 7, 2013).

2)  Communion of Children.  Catholic Encyclopedia.  Accessed May 7, 2013.  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04170b.htm