When did the Catholic Church start First Holy Communion for children?Why do they dress like brides & grooms?

Answer 1

First Communion is most often celebrated by children around the age of seven or eight, when they have reached the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. First Communion is to be preceded by the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation. If a person has not been baptized as a baby or small child, they will usually be baptized shortly before their First Communion.
According to the decree released by Pope Pius X in 1910, entitled "Quam Singulari", the sacrament of penance must be received before First Communion. The Code of Canon Law c.914 states "It is the responsibility...of parents...as well as of the pastor to see that children who have reached the age of reason are correctly prepared and are nourished by the divine food as early as possible, preceded by sacramental confession; it is also for the pastor to be vigilant lest any children come to the Holy Banquet who have not reached the age of reason".
While this sacrament usually takes place when the person is still a child, it can be celebrated at any age provided the person has never celebrated the sacrament of the Eucharist before.
Depending on culture, this could be the same as or different from a solemn communion.
Special clothing is usually worn. The clothing is often white, to symbolize purity. Girls, especially, wear fancy dresses and often a veil attached to a headdress, as well as white gloves (long or short). In some communities in the United States the practice of buying a special dress for First Communion is becoming increasingly extravagant, with prices sometimes in excess of $200. In other communities it is more common for girls to wear dresses that have been passed down to them from their sisters or mothers.
In Scotland, it is traditional for boys to wear a kilt for the ceremony. Many countries in Latin America have the boys wearing psuedo military-style dress uniforms, with fancy gold braid augelltes.

Answer 2

From Wikpedia.com:)

First Communion is most often celebrated by children around the age of seven or eight, when they have reached the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. First Communion is to be preceded by the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation. If a person has not been baptized as a baby or small child, they will usually be baptized shortly before their First Communion.

Special clothing is usually worn. The clothing is often white, to symbolize purity. Girls, especially, wear fancy dresses and often a veil attached to a headdress, as well as white gloves (long or short)

One thing I would add to the discussion myself is this: In general, no matter what the occasion, we dress up to show respect to our hosts and to recognize the importance of the occasion. How can this be more fitting than for the first Holy Communion? Children are dressed in such a way that shows respect to the Holy Eucharistic Host and in recognition in the significance of this sacrament in their lives.

I hope that this is a helpful answer! Thanks for reading and God Bless!

One more thing I want to add: It's true children do not understand the scope of the awesomeness that the Holy Eucharist is. But then, neither can we until we reach Heaven!!!! That's no reason to hold them back from the grace that is available through this sacrament!!!!

Answer 3

well, there is a history to this that i don't know off the top of my head... i dunno about the whole 'bride and groom' thing. i mean, you could say any man at a formal party looks like a groom; and the girls where white to symbolize purity - and since they're little girls they're mothers usually have fun doing the whole frilly dress thing...

"Catholics? yuck go to a baptixt, gosple,or penticostal church and there u wil find the word, not doctrine. I dont think catholics are really christians. They dont believe Jesus is God."

a-we've actually been christians for about 2000 years
b-we know and hear the word just fine, and quiet clearly.
c-do you honestly think we're the only religion w/ doctrine?
d-since i am a catholic i find it insulting that you attempt to speak for us; you're obviously confused - the trinity=one god; the father, son (that'd be Jesus btw) and holy spirit.
e-"catholics? yuck" brilliant, really, hard to argue w/ that logic.

edit-the person below wrote about the "age of reason." this is actually the point of it being at age 7 - not an arbitrary number if you know the bible. 7 is the age we become capable of sin, because at 7 we are capable of understanding the things we do.

Answer 4

Back in the 70's, I did my first communion at age 7 or so at an Episcopal church.
The question isn't why do the kids dress like brides, but why do brides dress like that.
The traditional white wedding gown is a relatively new custom. I heard they used to wear other colors for weddings. I think the white wedding dress started with one of the queen Victoria of England.
CATHOLICS ARE CHRISTIAN!! HOW DARE ANYONE SAY OTHERWISE
White didn't originally symbolize "purity". According to Wikipedia, the color for purity was blue. Now that I think of it, isn't Mary usually depicted wearing blue?

Answer 5

The Holy Eucharist, and everything it represents is too important keep from adults. Children of elementary school age are capable of at least a minimal understand of what the Eucharist is and why it is.

The white cloths symbolize purity; a state in which all of us should be each time we receive the Eucharist.

Answer 6

Im a christian and I really dont know. holy communions are supposed to be for only those who have been baptised not for just anybody. maybe its because Jesus said let the children come to me, I can not tell. but I know HC is for only those who are baptised.
Brides and grooms? en I'll prefer ballons or something. maybe its because its the way the priests in the bible dressed and Im sure that's it.but they add reasons to it like to hide our sexual parts and yadi yadi yada.
Catholics? yuck go to a baptixt, gosple,or penticostal church and there u wil find the word, not doctrine. I dont think catholics are really christians. They dont believe Jesus is God.

Answer 7

It is my opinion that children should not be allowed to celebrate communion because they cannot understand the significance of it. To celebrate communion in ignorance is a sin, and we should never cause one another to sin. Communion is not a prerequisite to salvation, nor is it necessary to maintain a connection with the body of Christ. It is a sacrament, and the most holy of sacraments, which is why it should be taken very seriously. I have seen communion offered rudely and taken rudely, and this hurts me greatly because it demeans our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

arrr, on accoun' o' they couldna wear the'r good pirate clothes

Answer 9

Ask them why!!!! Every...club has its own fans!
(Sorry Yahoo crew!)

Ciao.....John-John.