Catholic ceremonies/sacraments

[Jill Eaton]

Please excuse my ignorance. There have been no Catholics in my family since my maternal grandmother.

I'm aware of baptisms and marriages but what about the other important religious events in a practising Catholic's life and at what age did they take place?

Thanks

Jill

[nanny jan]

There is Holy Communion which takes place when the child is around 8 years old.

[Sinann]

First Confession, just before First Communion at about 7 years and Confirmation think the age has changed over the years, I was 12.
Not much fuss made of First Confession.

[Jill Eaton]

How special are these events? Do they involve parties or commemorative photos?

[jess5athome]

Hi, there is also the ceremony of "Confirmation"........................

There was / maybe still is a "Big Thing" made of first communion, all the boys and girls dress up in fine clothes and have photographs taken.

Frank.

Added, My apologies Sinann, I have just noticed your mention of confirmation.

[Jill Eaton]

I think this might explain the two photos of my great uncle Patrick Harrington.

He is suited, looks extremely smart and posed in 2 very formal photos.

One has "aged 7" written on the back and one "aged 12"

I think they are commemorative photos.

[jess5athome]

I think this might explain the two photos of my great uncle Patrick Harrington.

He is suited, looks extremely smart and posed in 2 very formal photos.

One has "aged 7" written on the back and one "aged 12"

I think they are commemorative photos.

They could well be, I think my mother has a photograph of me and my twin brother somewhere all dressed up for our first communion, all white shirts and silk waistcoats with matching trousers  (The raised eyebrows are for the fashion and not the faith  )

I can remember my Great Aunt giving me a set of Rosary Beads as a memento of it.

Frank.

[Deirdre784]

First Confession and First Communion are generally prepared for at the same time, with First Confession taking place (quietly, no fuss) a week or two before First Communion, these days in year three, so aged 7-8 (was more like 6 when i made mine 50 years ago).

Girls dress up in white dresses and veils for First Communion, boys in smart outfits (suits, trousers and waistcoats) etc. Photos are taken at the church, with the priest (or even the bishop), family groups and the whole class / group of children. Some will have a group lunch, others go for a family meal. Bibles, rosary beads, Missals are given as presents.

Confirmation is also later than it used to be, now at around 13 or 14. No white dresses, but smart attire, photos again, generally with the bishop or archbishop who will have conducted the ceremony.

[Sinann]

Are they wearing Rosettes, white for communion, red for confirmation.
Back in the pre 70s boys made first communion in short trousers, they got their first long trousers for their confirmation so it was a big deal for the boys. Well in Ireland at any rate.