Church going in Spain has suffered a fairly drastic decline in the 30 years following the death of Franco and the coming of Democracy (1978). People no longer felt the same obligation to be seen to conform to the expectations and niceties of church and Society.
However one tradition that has not changed in importance is the celebration of a child’s First Communion (in my nieces primary school class only 2 or 3 out of 20 didn’t participate in this tradition)!
Every year on Saturday mornings in April and May the Catholic Churches of every village, town and city are packed out for the celebration of First communions.
Packed out is the word as normally about 8 children receive their first communion at the same time and most churches do not have the capacity to fit in all the friends and relatives invited. People spill onto the streets outside and mill around until the service is over.
These spillovers are mainly men of course- the Church is still really considered a women’s business in Spain!
Children are prepared for their first communion at the age of 8, 9 or 10, the supposed age of reason, and they attend Catechism classes once a week for some months before their first Communion in order to learn the doctrines of the Catholic Church.
Following the classes and before the event itself the children undertake their first Confession so as to receive their Communion cleansed of sin. Though what sins the average 9 year old has committed is beyond me – not obeying Mum or Dad I suppose!
The actual Communion Ceremony itself is a big event and the children are dressed for the occasion. Girls all tend to wear long white dresses, some even with veils and gloves, to more or less represent bridal purity (bride of Christ) and the boys are all very smart in either formal suits or more traditional, miniature Admiral of the Navy outfits all covered with braid and false decorations.
Some boys wear white suits. Some of these outfits are passed on from generation to generation but in today’s competitive society they are often bought new at vast expense – 200 euros plus are not unusual for a girls dress! However, they all look very sweet and tears are easily brought to the eye as each child is called up to receive Communion.
The actual Communion ceremony follows the traditional pattern with The Lords Prayer and “the rite of peace” (a prayer followed by the congregation shaking hands with each other) preceding The Lamb of God litany.
After this the priest receives Communion followed by the children then those of the congregation who wish to. The priest cleanses the vessels and then the final prayer is said.
Everyone spills out of the crowded hot church with sighs of relief and the cameras come out (and the cigarettes of course!).
Professional photographers are around, as most family homes are graced by first communion photos in pride of place on the wall. Then it’s back to the party, in a restaurant, a hired hall or, bearing in mind that Spain is wonderful in spring time, in the garden.
Guests bring presents often traditional memento type presents – pen and pencil sets for example embossed with an appropriate saying or, more frequently now, some money to put towards the child’s first savings account.
The parties are very lavish. Food and drink are not spared and children run around screaming and everyone has a whale of a time. First communion parties show Spanish family life up at its best!
Finally the children hand out little keepsake cards and presents (a small posy of dried flowers for example) to all the guests and everyone rolls home after a long and happy day!
