Of course children are too young to understand this, so it is the adults job to follow by example. To take the children to church to teach them about God and special blessings from God and to show them the way to goodness and how to abide by Gods Laws.
Invariably what happens is the children are taught or instructed on who or what God is and what they should do and how they should behave for about 12 weeks before their First Communion. Then what happens?
Well sadly a lot of little girls are dressed up like small brides in all their finery and the dresses cost around 400 to 800 pound. The hair is done and make up is applied and sometimes she will arrive in a Carriage, yes! a horse drawn carriage.
The princesses will prance into church and make their Holy Communion, dressed like frilly white Brides and then they will be taken to a Hall or Function Room. Here they will recieve gifts of enormous value and nothing to do with religion or the values of catholic routine.
What about the boys?
Well they probably do not arrive in carriages but their suits are very expensive, and they have to have the huge party after wards and the enormous presents.
What happens after the event, do they continue to attend Mass, to recieve the "blessed Sacrament" no most of them are not encouraged to set foot near a Church until they need a recommendation from the Parish Priest to get them into a Good Catholic Senior School.
Why bother making their Holy Communion, because its the Golden Ticket to Good Catholic Education in a good Senior School.
What about the minority?
Well sometimes some children who make their Holy Communion actually attend Mass on a regular basis. They actually understand and are eager to recieve the blessed sacrament. They are excited by the prospect of taking that small piece of host and tasting it for the first time. They are the few among the many sadly.
These children do not arrive in Carriages, the girls are not dressed like Brides, the boys are not dressed like Princes. They arrive in simple clothes, simple styles, pretty white shoes, perhaps a white prayer book or rosary beads.
Is either child less worthy in Gods eyes? no of course not, the little princesses and princes and the whole some children are all worthy because........ its not their fault.
This whole carnival that occurs when a child makes their First Holy Communion is down to society and how society is governed and ruled.
Perhaps if the church where to state perfectly and precisely, plain white dresses with no diamonte, no frills and no lace for little girls, headress optional, no gloves and no bags or parasols. Plain suits for boys. No carriages, no bridal parties, absolutely no confetti. Perhaps if the church ruled this then we would get back to what is in important.
What is important is that this innocent child is about to take hold of something more precious and miraculous than any present or toy or piece of gold or acceptance to the posh Catholic School. This child is going to take and eat a piece of the body of Christ. A man no less, a man who gave up his life for us, for our sins.
A man who suffered terribly on the cross, a man who had thorns driven into his scalp, nails hammered into his hands and his feet. A man who was only 33 years of age, punished because he had to die. To be crucified, to be hung from a cross and baked in the sun. To be fed vinegar on a sponge. To die in excruciating pain so that we may have our sins forgiven and a life after death.
The child that takes his precious body in its mouth and drinks his precious blood is indeed blessed with more graces than the acceptance of getting into a good Senior School. It is the childs key or path way to heaven, to a life that if guided may be filled with wonder and love and blessings.
Bless all those children who are making their First Communion our thoughts are with you today and always. Parents when you guide your children to the altar, be they smart or dressed in a bridal dress, just think of the committment that he or she is making. Then honour that committment and take your child to church, each week. Once a week for 45 minutes, and celebrate mass.
To Debbie, Lisa and Father Carney do you remember our First Communion.
