The First
Communion, or First Holy
Communion, is a ceremony of mostly the Latin
Rite of the Catholic Church. It is the colloquial
name for a person's first reception of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and in Roman Catholic
churches occurs typically at age seven or eight depending on national custom.
Catholics believe this event to be very important, as the Eucharist occupies a
central role in Catholic theology and practise. Lutherans also traditionally observe First
Communion.
First Communion is not celebrated in the Eastern
Orthodox Churches ,
the Oriental
Orthodox Churches or the Assyrian Church
of the East, as they practice infant
communion (which often is
simultaneously administered with paedobaptism and Confirmation). Some Anglicans allow infant communion (also called
"paedocommunion"), while others require the previous reception of confirmation, usually during the
teenage years.
Celebration of this religious ceremony is typically less elaborate
in many Protestant churches. Roman Catholics and some Protestant denominations,
including Lutherans and some Anglicans, believe Christ is truly present in the Eucharist,
although not through transubstantiation for many non-Catholic groups. Other
denominations have varying understandings, ranging from the Eucharist being a
"symbolic" meal to a meal of "remembering" Christ's last
supper.
The sacrament of First Communion is an important tradition for
Catholic families and individuals. For Catholics, Holy Communion is the third
of seven sacraments received; it occurs only after after one's baptism and
first confession (the Sacrament of Penance), the first two sacraments. This
order of the sacraments is practiced universally by all Roman Catholics,
whereas Byzantine Catholics (Eastern Rite), for example, celebrate the
sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation), and Holy Communion on the
same day as an infant's baptism.
Traditions of celebration surrounding First Communion usually
include large family gatherings and parties to celebrate the event. The first
communicant wears special clothing. The clothing is often white to symbolize purity,
but not in all cultures. Girls often wear fancy dresses and a veil attached
to a wreath of flowers or hair ornament. In other communities, girls commonly
wear dresses passed down to them from sisters or mothers, or even simply their
school uniforms plus the veil and/or wreath. Boys may wear a suit or tuxedo, or
their Sunday best.
没有评论:
发表评论