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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
First Communion	Mike	Saturday, May 16, 2015
Question: At the risk of not being answered, here goes: For at least fifty years I have had a problem with all the folderol connected with first communion. I fully believe the Church's teaching on communion, and I understand that the first time receiving is a special occasion. But the "wedding-like" dresses and navy blue suits, is that REALLY necessary or just a custom/tradition? In some places first communion is almost like prom or a wedding. Hundreds, even thousands of dollars are spent to keep up with or outdo one's neighbor. That's very sad for lots of people, for lots of reasons. Is that really what it's all about?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD Dear Mike: The traditions of First Communion are traditions with a small "t". They are customs. Thus, these customs, being customs, are not necessary. As with anything, it is possible to go overboard, but i think you are committing the sin of rash judgment here. The dresses and suits do not cost hundred or thousands of dollars. I also do not know how this can be "keeping up with the neighbors" or to outdo one's neighbor? The dresses and suits are basically the same. I do not see any competition in this. Beside, the dresses and suits are not a whole lot different than traditional dress for Easter. What such customs are about is to teach the kids just how important and sacred it is to receive our Lord. And, Mike, this is a wedding. Our baptism weds us to Christ. The love of Christ for his Church is that of a husband to his bride. In marriage the marital embrace is a sublime act of love that images the love of Christ for his bride. In another way, first communion is a profoundly intimate act, not unlike a marriage, where we consume our beloved. This deserves special attention. As the kids say, you need to chill. I mean, what is it to you anyway. Do not presume the motivations of the hearts of the kids or parents. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

First Communion

Mike

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Question:

At the risk of not being answered, here goes:

For at least fifty years I have had a problem with all the folderol connected with first communion. I fully believe the Church's teaching on communion, and I understand that the first time receiving is a special occasion.

But the "wedding-like" dresses and navy blue suits, is that REALLY necessary or just a custom/tradition? In some places first communion is almost like prom or a wedding. Hundreds, even thousands of dollars are spent to keep up with or outdo one's neighbor. That's very sad for lots of people, for lots of reasons. Is that really what it's all about?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear Mike:

The traditions of First Communion are traditions with a small "t". They are customs. Thus, these customs, being customs, are not necessary.

As with anything, it is possible to go overboard, but i think you are committing the sin of rash judgment here. The dresses and suits do not cost hundred or thousands of dollars. I also do not know how this can be "keeping up with the neighbors" or to outdo one's neighbor? The dresses and suits are basically the same. I do not see any competition in this. Beside, the dresses and suits are not a whole lot different than traditional dress for Easter.

What such customs are about is to teach the kids just how important and sacred it is to receive our Lord. And, Mike, this is a wedding. Our baptism weds us to Christ. The love of Christ for his Church is that of a husband to his bride. In marriage the marital embrace is a sublime act of love that images the love of Christ for his bride.

In another way, first communion is a profoundly intimate act, not unlike a marriage, where we consume our beloved. This deserves special attention.

As the kids say, you need to chill. I mean, what is it to you anyway. Do not presume the motivations of the hearts of the kids or parents.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum