A child’s First Holy Communion is a special day in their lives and is often celebrated with family and friends. Choosing what your child should wear for their First Communion can feel daunting, since there are often some guidelines that go along with choosing an outfit for the day. Whether a Holy Communion dress for your girl or Communion suit for your boy – dress for the day!
It doesn’t have to be difficult though! There are so many options of outfits available that once you know what your church group is suggesting, choosing a First Communion outfit is actually quite easy.
What is Holy First Communion?
This sacrament of the Catholic church is considered one of the most important and holy occasions in a young person’s life. It is often taken when a child is between seven and thirteen, but usually when they are in grade 2. First Communion is considered a rite of passage and this age is significant because it is considered to be the age of reason. It is thought that at this point the child is old and wise enough to make a conscious commitment to the church.
The First Communion ceremony symbolizes the decision of the child to welcome Jesus into their life and their willingness to follow the Church’s teachings. In order to celebrate the occasion, children dress in white- the colour of purity and innocence- and receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
The service is often followed up with a large celebration with family and friends.
Holy Communion outfits have changed in recent years
Did you know that Grandma’s Little Darlings is Canada’s choice for amazing First Holy Communion outfits? From wonderful gowns for girls to sharp boys suits, we’ve got it all including accessories, too!
Traditionally, girls would wear fairly ornate gowns with all white gloves and shoes, as well as a veil. Boys would wear a white or black suit with a white shirt. Generally speaking, the girls’ outfit was considered much more important, and parents spent more time finding her the perfect outfit than him.
Over time though this uniform has changed to be a much more relaxed representation. Boys are now wearing pretty much anything formal looking, including khakis, dress pants in any solid colour and regular dress shirts. There is often no longer a colour code to abide by.
Girls dresses have become less formal over time as well. They still wear a long white gown, but the veil and gloves are often not present. As well, it has become more common to see pops of colour in her sash or shoes.
Holy Communion outfit guidelines
Despite the modifications of the outfits, there are still some guidelines to follow for both boys and girls but you should check with your church if they have any specific guidelines they’d like you to follow. Often there are many kids present during this ceremony, so it’s sometimes preferred that the kids follow a similar dress code to each other.
Guidelines for girls:
- Simple and age appropriate dress
- Light coloured dresses– nothing dark or bold
- Shoulders should be covered with sleeves or a dressy jacket or sweater
- Nothing short, tight or sleeveless. Including no tank top straps
- Nothing too ornate, beaded or patterned
Guidelines for boys:
- Wear their Sunday dress clothes
- A white dress shirt is recommended
- Solid coloured dress pants
- Dress in solid colours. No loud patterns or coloured shoes
- No casual clothing like t-shirts or jeans
First Holy Communion is a special day, so dress beautifully!
Helping them to understand the importance of the day is likely something you’ve already started, and placing emphasis on choosing the right outfit can help strengthen that understanding.
With all the photos and celebration sure to follow the ceremony, no doubt your child wants to look and feel their best! This is a day that will be remembered for the rest of their lives, so choosing an outfit that helps them stand tall and proud is a great first step in the process of this sacrament.