I remember my First Holy Communion. It was a few years ago, but being raised Catholic it was important because First Holy Communion is one of the Seven Sacraments. The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church are:
- Baptism
- Holy Communion
- Penance/Confession
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
I remember being taught by the Sisters of the Church over several months, meeting once or twice a week – more often as the First Holy Communion date approached. We rehearsed walking in straight lines and behaving (we were all 7 or 8 years old), and had several songs that we sang during the ceremony. All the other kids were smiling and waving at their parents while they walked down the aisle – exactly what the Sisters told us not to do. This was a serious ceremony and no horseplay was to be tolerated. I don’t think they whacked anyone on the hands with a ruler to keep them in line, but that was a common punishment. It could have been because the Bishop was performing the First Communion ceremony, so the Sisters didn’t want to cause an uproar.
My First Holy Communion was a fantastic event. I felt the presence of God.
And then we partied. My parents invited lots of family, and we all had a nice meal afterward.
I don’t recall the invitations that my parents used. And little did any of us know that years later I’d be part of an invitation company called Poly Graphics that specializes in First Holy Communion Invitations.
Life, and God, gives you surprises,
