First communion in Belgium is something many children do, wether their parents are church going catholics or not. It's a form of tradition. Still, the teachers that actually give the preparation of it take it seriously and often seeds are sewn in a childs heart that bring them closer to faith.
The best teachers that prepare for first communion leave a lasting impression on the children and give them an awefull awareness of parttaking in Gods presence and gift that first time. Since the children are usually 6 or 7 they don't understand everything about the faith yet, but it can grow in them in a most wonderful way.
Anyhow... since first communion is such a tradition, of course commercialism has also taken it's bite, and each year when spring nears, you can see the advertisement for 'first communion clothing'. Traditionally it was a white dress for the girls (almost a bridal dress in some cases) and a little sailoroutfit or costume for the boys. Of course through the years fashion has changed, and I don't really have a problem with that.
Today however, I was reading the newspaper and my eye fell on an advertisment of half a page for 'first communion clothing'. Amused I started to read, reading over the tradition of white still holding strong. Of soft pastels for girls dresses, of linnen being favoured again or non ironing fabrics; etc. Fun and harmless. Then it spoke about 'sweet girls and tough boys' and the outfits, etc, and it described the outfits of one of our 'tough lil boys'. Jeansaccents or wide beige pants, shirt in the same fabric and a 'CAP' to top it off. A cap? For in church? For clothing that's advertised as first communion clothing? Who IS that fashion designer?
The best teachers that prepare for first communion leave a lasting impression on the children and give them an awefull awareness of parttaking in Gods presence and gift that first time. Since the children are usually 6 or 7 they don't understand everything about the faith yet, but it can grow in them in a most wonderful way.
Anyhow... since first communion is such a tradition, of course commercialism has also taken it's bite, and each year when spring nears, you can see the advertisement for 'first communion clothing'. Traditionally it was a white dress for the girls (almost a bridal dress in some cases) and a little sailoroutfit or costume for the boys. Of course through the years fashion has changed, and I don't really have a problem with that.
Today however, I was reading the newspaper and my eye fell on an advertisment of half a page for 'first communion clothing'. Amused I started to read, reading over the tradition of white still holding strong. Of soft pastels for girls dresses, of linnen being favoured again or non ironing fabrics; etc. Fun and harmless. Then it spoke about 'sweet girls and tough boys' and the outfits, etc, and it described the outfits of one of our 'tough lil boys'. Jeansaccents or wide beige pants, shirt in the same fabric and a 'CAP' to top it off. A cap? For in church? For clothing that's advertised as first communion clothing? Who IS that fashion designer?
