Holy Communion

Now May has begun you will start to hear of many Spanish families having their children take their First Communion.  The Sundays of the month of May and through June you will begin to see children (both boys and girls) dressed up in their finery.  Most girls will wear a communion gown which echoes a gown of a wedding and boys a sailor style suit.  Now in more modern times many children now opt to wear non formal clothes with the girls in a smart dress and the boys in a suit or shirt and trousers.

Spain is a very catholic country and many remember their First Communion.  Saying “I was a princess for the day”, as the whole day is around the child and they are the centre of attention.

Many girls who opt for a traditional gown follow months before the day like a woman who is getting married, visiting a shop to pick a dress, making visits to dressmakers for alterations before the big day arrives.

The ceremony takes place at the local church and then many families either have the continued celebrations at a venue or restaurant, or if their home is large enough, at home.

They invite family, close friends and for the whole day the celebrations are there to mark the special day for the child.

The celebration itself can be as big or as small an occasion as the family wishes, but for many Spanish families it is a very important time in the child’s life and they do indeed celebrate it along the lines of a wedding.