lundi 24 juin 2013

A Child's First Holy Communion Dress Is The Expression Of Pure Love

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.

Summed up by Pope St. Pius X with 'Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven', receiving the Eucharist is the greatest gift of sacrifice and love given to the faithful. Preparations to receive the Eucharist include lessons and receiving the sacrament of Penance for cleansing the soul with confession. Absolution occurs after fulfilling the penance as prescribed by the priest as an act of contrition. The Eucharist is offered as a vital part of every Catholic mass.

A sacrament is described as 'an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace'. The sacraments of baptism, Holy Communion and matrimony are witnessed and celebrated in the church by family and friends. Each of the celebratory sacraments involve vows, commitment and union. Female participants wear a formal, white dress, representing a pure new beginning, officiated by a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony before God and man.

Saying 'yes' to the dress is a matter of fulfilling personal taste. Though white is customary, today pastels are equally acceptable. Knee-length to semi-formal are appropriate and left to the discretion of the girl and her family. The variety of comfortable fabrics and myriad design choices offer personalized preferences to suit distinctive tastes.

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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