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Original poster

I went to a friend's child's First Holy Communion yesterday and I've been an emotional wreck since

73 replies

gypsybabysbreath · 12/05/2019 09:07

I found it so emotional. There was such a lovely atmosphere and it was so old fashioned. All of the children were just so lovely and they sang all the old hymns we sang at school.

I held it together barely for As I Kneel Before You and then they sang Bring Flowers of the Rarest and bloody hell, I was a goner. Proper snottery tears. DP was rather bemused

I can't quite understand how I got so emotional. I'm wondering if I should go back to mass now.

OP posts:

LaLaLamp · 12/05/2019 09:12

I get like this in church, (not a regular goer) I think the singing brings out all my sad emotions. Cards with sentimental greetings get me as well. You should go if you think you would enjoy it.

Davespecifico · 12/05/2019 09:14

This sort of happens to me, even if I attend a school assembly.
I d9nt think it means I need to become religious. I think it happens because our modern lives lack so many of these types of activities. We spend hours on social media, going to work, the daily drudge and we’re cynical because of things like Brexit. It’s like we’re half dead.

So to attend something like this is like grasping at life and youth when we feel as if age is running away with us. Well, for me anyway.

AnyFucker · 12/05/2019 09:20

Well, you just set me off

I find occasions like this very moving in a hugely bittersweet way. I am not religious but enjoy the solemnity and affirmation of the circle of life.

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implantsandaDyson · 12/05/2019 09:27

My youngest is doing hers next Sat , we've been making her practise As I kneel before you randomly about the house - I remember how surprisingly moving I found my eldest.

ElspethFlashman · 12/05/2019 09:31

Oh I love a good Communion. I'm in Ireland and it's Communion Season around now. Which means you go for a drive and see these enormous bouncy castles in everyone's back yard every Saturday. "Oh look, it's a Communion!"

The kids love them so much, all the dressing up and seeing each other looking all fancy. And being together in Mass and singing together. The parents and the grandparents all dressed up and bursting with pride. And the teacher sweating buckets in the front pew manically mouthing all the words! And then having a big party at home with all their family. Its like everyone in the class has a birthday party the same day, it's just lovely.

x2boys · 12/05/2019 09:33

Ah lovely Op ,my Ds 1 did his three years ago, it's not the same as when I did mine, when I did it the entire class did it together ,ds school.did it over a couple of weekends in small groups ,I do love Bring Flowers of the rarest it always reminds me of primary school,(I went to a very Catholic convent primary school) and we did a procession every year for May day? And would sing that.

roisinagusniamh · 12/05/2019 09:35

I went to a cousin's son's communion last year and it had the opposite effect on me .
I felt sad by how a child so young can be fully aware and consent to the sacrament .
I made my communion at 7 and had no real concept of what was happening other than that I was wearing a nice dress....I refused to be confirmed because I knew at that age I did not believe in it.

AfterSchoolWorry · 12/05/2019 09:36

This'll cheer you up

TheMaddHugger · 12/05/2019 09:39

((((Hugs))) OP. I'm a crier too🌻

roisinagusniamh · 12/05/2019 09:41

That's brilliant, After-school, I love the way we Irish can laugh at ourselves!

PantsyMcPantsface · 12/05/2019 09:47

I don't personally like them - to the point I've respectfully declined an invitation to a relative's child's one soon (they're only Catholic to get into the schools so I don't feel too bad about it and I'll send DH and plead childcare arrangements)... I just get very uncomfortable about the whole mini-bride type dresses for the little girls these days - most of the Catholic faith sits very very uncomfortably with me so I try to avoid where possible.

Little kids singing though - gets me every time. The bastards at school pulled the Away in a Manger trick at the nativity and that was me totally gone!

stucknoue · 12/05/2019 09:50

Why not go along to church then, so many different ones to choose from, I like choral evensong myself, and love matins though hard to find these days!

Shadycorner · 12/05/2019 09:54

Ahh, I'm with you op . "Bring Flowers of the rarest" is the worst for crying. Just lovely

Outofinspiration · 12/05/2019 09:55

Yes dressing little girls up in pure white virginal bridal outfits, whilst they take the 'body and blood of christ' in their mouths for the first time, isn't creepy at all.....

So glad I have left the whole thing behind for my own children tbh.

Mookie81 · 12/05/2019 09:56

Do you also get emotional visiting tourist sites, the Sistine Chapel by any chance?

Outofinspiration · 12/05/2019 09:58

I made my communion at 7 and had no real concept of what was happening other than that I was wearing a nice dress....

Same here, it was ALL about the dress and the veil (and and I quite liked the Gold Book as well!)

Peregrina · 12/05/2019 09:58

But for many little girls it's all about the dress, and nothing about the sanctity of it.

ChanandlerBongsNeighbour · 12/05/2019 10:00

Kids singing gets me EVERY time! Bit tricky being a primary school teacher!

Outofinspiration · 12/05/2019 10:00

Oh and finally, after years of wondering, finding out what the host tasted like - it was highly disappointing!

roisinagusniamh · 12/05/2019 10:00

What has a Bouncy castle to do with celebrating 'taking the blood and body of Christ ' Elspeth???

SubisYodrethwhenLarping · 12/05/2019 10:01

What age is Catholic 1st Communion in England (on average)?

Our friends are Catholic so wondering when/how old their DC will be approx, they go to Catholic primary school but also the whole family have been going to church for last 20 years (as long as I have known them iyswim) so not just for a school place so will definitely be Confirmed at usual time

Peregrina · 12/05/2019 10:02

Cross post.
An Irish friend, admittedly Church of Ireland, rather than Catholic says that Confirmations (they don't do first Communion at seven) they now wear school uniform to be confirmed. I wondered if this is to stop it being all about the dress and the socks with crosses on and the veil?

Felipa · 12/05/2019 10:02

Most of the children I know talk about their communion day in terms of how much money they're going to get. And what size.of bouncy castle for the after party.

And the girls are excited about the dress of course!

ElspethFlashman · 12/05/2019 10:03

Don't you know Jesus died on a bouncy castle roisin? He bounced right up into Heaven! Its a SYMBOL omg hedjucate yourself hun.

LaLaLamp · 12/05/2019 10:04

In my day, we didn't have a choice, if you were brought into a catholic family, you were confirmed. If you didn't attend mass, you had the priest knocking at the door asking why you weren't there. We loved the procession though. I never had my kids christened as felt it had to be their choice. Sorry to hi-jack OP

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