Thursday 20 June 2013

A Daughter's First Holy Communion Dress Captures The Picture Of Innocence

By Lana Bray


The foundation that supports the Roman Catholic church are built around the Eucharistic purpose and the sacraments, created to sanctify humanity by nourishing, strengthening and expressing a personal relationship with God. Beginning in first grade, young Catholics are indoctrinated in the religious purposes of confession, as preparation for the first Eucharist at seven-years old. Qualified as the average age of reason by educators, children are deemed capable of making independent, conscious choices. A girl's First Holy Communion dress is symbolic of the purity the church prescribes for receiving the body of Christ in a formal, joyous, religious ceremony.

Christenings, weddings and First Communions share a sense of family-focused, joyful celebration. Traditionally, females wear white, dressy ensembles especially chosen for the event held each May. Students prepare for this important Roman Catholic rite of passage for two years prior to the church ceremony, celebrated with a mass, attended by family and friends, that culminates in receiving the Eucharist.

Catholicism reaffirms the theological virtues of faith, hope and love through the sacraments. The Eucharist is the culmination of spiritual love, when the consecrated body and blood of Christ is offered in a 'host' of unleavened bread, to believers attending a Roman Catholic mass. Church doctrine teaches that worthiness is attained through sincere confession, penance and forgiveness through mediation with a Catholic priest. Believers who desire to partake of communion approach the priest in a line where they are presented with the host to be consumed at the alter.

Considered a religious milestone in the Catholic church, receiving the first Eucharist is an important rite of passage in a young child's life. Like an infant's christening or an adult's wedding, special ceremonies mark the reverent sincerity, purity and sacredness of the promises made in honoring a choice. White, formal attire is traditionally ascribed for females participating in religious events of this magnitude.

The traditional white finery of a communicant means more than beautiful, functional clothing. It is a symbol of the purity of heart and soul as a young believer commits in faith to the sacrament of the Eucharist. The length of the attire can be at the knees, semi-formal or to the floor, with comfort an important consideration. Personal preference dictates the design, fabric and embellishments.

The rules for head-wear are less stringent today than in the past history of church tradition. Formerly, all females wore head covering inside the church, which are no longer mandated. However, even today most girls choose to accessorize with either a decorative, matching veil, wreath or hair ornament.

The significance of the dress is as a symbolic 'outward' expression that defines purity, respect and reverence for the religious occasion. The meaningful connotations of holy communion finery requires quality that defies the test of time, to insure preserving its original comfort and beauty as a legacy for future family.

A girl's First Holy Communion dress represents a once-in-a-lifetime special occasion where only the best will do. Worn once to commemorate a religious milestone in a young Catholic girl's life, it will be photographs that capture the innocence of your child in a very special dress on that uniquely momentous day you will always wish was tomorrow.




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