The Infanta Sofia First Holy Communion: May 2017

[ANNIE_S]

Leaving the church: https://twitter.com/fpaniaguaocr/sta...00748034502657

Leonor was more communicative at her communion. The photographers asked Sofi if she was nervous and she just answered: "a little bit".

[lula]

Photos

Spanish royals attend Princess Sofia's first communion | Daily Mail Online

Spanish Royals Attend Their Daughter Sofia's First Communion - Zimbio

Fotos: La comunión de la infanta Sofía, en imágenes | Gente y Famosos | EL PAÃ�S

La Comunión de la Infanta Sofía, en imágenes

Leaving the church

051717 Princess Sofia First Holy Communion - Images | jose gegundez | photographer

[Biri]

Why the Communion-girl is not clad in the white dress?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_..._communion.jpg

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by Biri

Why the Communion-girl is not clad in the white dress?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_..._communion.jpg

Traditions are different and changing in Spain ,its the opposite here in Ireland all white and veils for the girls!

[Winnie]

An Ard RI, same in most Catholic Churches here in America although a few parishes have changed to modern dress. I prefer all in white including the boys. At one point the church in Philadelphia insisted that everyone dress EXACTLY alike. My cousin gave nuns the money and they ordered the dress, vail, prayer book, rosary, etc. All alike. What the "high-ups" wants for a few years back then. I will admit they looked wonderful and no one there tried to outdo another in more expensive outfit. Even at this Holy event, some parents go a bit overboard.

[Biri]

White colour of the dress symbolizes the purity of the child's heart (after his/her first confession and forgiving sins) in order to receive the Christ worthily.

[Moonmaiden23]

Sofia is a gorgeous child, as is her big sister Leonor. They both have Letizia's incredible thick straight hair.

And I think they will inherit their father's height.

[An Ard Ri]

King Juan Carlos looked to be very convivial today ,great to see him with Leonor and Sofia.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by An Ard Ri

Traditions are different and changing in Spain ,its the opposite here in Ireland all white and veils for the girls!

I'd say that in many American parishes you would still see all of the girls in white dresses and veils, though I was surprised at how extravagant some of the dresses, hairstyles and veils were for some girls. My daughter wore a white dress with a tea length hem, white tights and shoes. We skipped an actual veil, but my sister-in-law made her a wreath of tiny white silk flowers with white ribbons that trailed down to her shoulders.

[Mbruno]

I find it odd to wear a school uniform for one's First Communion. Is that common in Spain ?

[Marengo]

Indeed nice to see king Juan Carlos is such a good mood, and talkative towards his wife, daughter-in-law and granddaughters. It is also good to see Queen Letizia's grandmother in good health and able to attend this special day for the infanta.

[ANNIE_S]

Another video: En Video: todos los detalles y los gestos de la Familia Real en el Bautizo de la Infanta Sofía

And a gallery from Bekia: La Infanta Sofía con los Reyes Felipe y Letizia, la Princesa Leonor y los Reyes Juan Carlos y Sofía en su Comunión - Primera Comunión de la Infanta Sofía - Fotos de Actualidad

Every report notes there is a great closeness between the two sisters. Apparently, at the peace giving at the ceremony, Leono hugged Sofia quite tenderly. There is also some info about Leonor wanting to read something during the Mass, but her parents told her to do something for her sister later at the private celebration since they didn't want a preferential treatment at the church.

This is a gorgeous picture of Princess Leonor IMO : https://www.instagram.com/p/BUM1QrflRpP/
I also love this one of Queen Letizia and her grandmother - who looks great for her 89 years, I must say: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUMtxsVhp28/
And there is also this cutie of the young Princess greeting a little girl outside: https://68.media.tumblr.com/583ed1b4...3vbfo1_540.png

[Iain]

10 seems a little old for First Communion, here in Scotland it's 7.

[sarahedwards2]

Leonor and Sofia attend the same school, so why weren't they required to wear their uniforms at each other's communions, since they were on school days?


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[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by sarahedwards2

Leonor and Sofia attend the same school, so why weren't they required to wear their uniforms at each other's communions, since they were on school days?


Sent from my iPod touch using The Royals Community

Probably to distinguish that it was The Infanta Sofia who was making her 1st Holy Communion ,had they both turned up in school uniforms it might have been confusing.

[Alondra]

Originally Posted by sarahedwards2

Leonor and Sofia attend the same school, so why weren't they required to wear their uniforms at each other's communions, since they were on school days?


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It's not just "another" school day, it's First Communion Day. The school the girls attend to have the policy of gala uniform (blazer and tie are compulsory) for all students at their local church in Aravaca. Leonor attended the communion as a guest, not a student, and was able to wear whatever formal clothes she wanted. In Spain is very rare, and extremely difficult, to celebrate a first communion on your own. The majority do it with classmates (accepting the school polity attire) or with their Sunday school classmates.

First communions have gone so much out of hand that they rival weddings in expenditure. People spend thousands in between the dress, the hairdresser, jewelry, restaurant's menu ....As the following article states what used to be a celebration of tea and cakes, today is a masterchef lunch, a trip to Eurodisney and the latest mobile phone.

One paragraph of the article reflects the current situation better than most ....."As we go, the banks will have to grant micro-credits so that we can live up to the gifts and dinners that are currently organized to celebrate first communions"

It's no wonder that there is growing backlash from many schools wanting to make communions a more simple and humble affair focused on the rites and not the "social party".

http://verne.elpais.com/verne/2017/0...38_307879.html

[Duke of Marmalade]

They are both teenagers now. I'm always looking to Sofia first these days, she's glowing! She's already taller than her sister and will really do for it, personality wise.

I already get the feeling that Leonor knows what is coming for her, feeling the weight of it somehow with regard to body language.

[sarahedwards2]

Originally Posted by Alondra

It's not just "another" school day, it's First Communion Day. The school the girls attend to have the policy of gala uniform (blazer and tie are compulsory) for all students at their local church in Aravaca. Leonor attended the communion as a guest, not a student, and was able to wear whatever formal clothes she wanted. In Spain is very rare, and extremely difficult, to celebrate a first communion on your own. The majority do it with classmates (accepting the school polity attire) or with their Sunday school classmates.

First communions have gone so much out of hand that they rival weddings in expenditure. People spend thousands in between the dress, the hairdresser, jewelry, restaurant's menu ....As the following article states what used to be a celebration of tea and cakes, today is a masterchef lunch, a trip to Eurodisney and the latest mobile phone.

One paragraph of the article reflects the current situation better than most ....."As we go, the banks will have to grant micro-credits so that we can live up to the gifts and dinners that are currently organized to celebrate first communions"

It's no wonder that there is growing backlash from many schools wanting to make communions a more simple and humble affair focused on the rites and not the "social party".

http://verne.elpais.com/verne/2017/0...38_307879.html

It's like Sweet Sixteens; they range from pizza and bowling to an elaborate formal debutante-style ball with the birthday girl wearing a white ball gown and elbow-length gloves, having a formal waltz with her father and an escort, and being met at the door to the lavishly decorated ballroom by her father and curtsying to the attendees.


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[Countessmeout]

The difference being a birthday is a private celebration. Secular. First communion is a religious tradition. It is meant to be about the sacred religious right, and not how expensive a dress can be. I think the school the girls attend have it right, making it an uniform weekday event for all. The focus is where it should be.

Religion wise, only thing I have seen as elaborate as some have said about communions is on American gypsey show, for communion. But of course Jewish bar and bat mitzvah. But those are both religious and birthday. Some of those are insane, bigger then weddings.

I have never been to a communion as an adult. I know my cousins who have kids raised Catholic had simple dinner for communion. Like Sofia, they did theirs through their school in uniform. Back in my day it was white dress and veil. And local family. My godmothers wouldn't have even come, they were older ladies and didn't live close.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by sarahedwards2

It's like Sweet Sixteens; they range from pizza and bowling to an elaborate formal debutante-style ball with the birthday girl wearing a white ball gown and elbow-length gloves, having a formal waltz with her father and an escort, and being met at the door to the lavishly decorated ballroom by her father and curtsying to the attendees.


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I'm astonished at how extravagant some of these celebrations have become. Hope my children won't "suffer" because theirs was merely a family dinner at home with their cousins, grandparents and a few friends.