The Infanta Sofia First Holy Communion: May 2017

[Fürstin Taxis]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

A video took by somebody in the public, with a point of view from behind:

Menchu and JC with their canes though, chatting. I have soft spot for old people.

Everyone was very good spirited yesterday, JC surprised me the most tbh. Didn't see him so cheerful for a long time.

[Lee-Z]

Originally Posted by Iain

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

In the NL the first Communion is also around age 7/8, i understand it used to be around 12 until pope Pius X changed it in 1910, but i think the decree doesn't specify a fixed age so maybe it differs from country to country
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quam_singulari

[sarahedwards2]

Originally Posted by TLLK

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.

As quoted from fisheaters.com, "On a mundane, sociological level, a child's "First Communion" is a rite of passage, an acknowledgement that he has reached the age of reason and is now liable for many of the penalties involved in ecclesiastical censure; it is, in other words, a marker that the child is growing up... Gifts are given to the new communicant (typically Rosaries, prayer books, Bibles, etc.), and a party typically follows the Mass during which he first receives the Sacrament. These mundane aspects of a child's "First Communion" should never, ever overshadow the greater reality! In some parts of the world, a child's First Communion is turning into a lavish, extravagant, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses bat-mitzvah, with little girls, wearing dresses that cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars, carried about by limousine to parties with expensive ice sculptures and la-di-da waiters. It is disgusting! While a child's First Communion should be memorable and very beautiful, it should, above all, be holy and with all priorities in place."

[free2rhyme]

Originally Posted by Fürstin Taxis

Menchu and JC with their canes though, chatting. I have soft spot for old people.

Everyone was very good spirited yesterday, JC surprised me the most tbh. Didn't see him so cheerful for a long time.

It was also nice to see such pleasant interactions between JC and Queen Sofia. It seems as though they have become a lot closer in recent months.

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by free2rhyme

It was also nice to see such pleasant interactions between JC and Queen Sofia. It seems as though they have become a lot closer in recent months.

Yes I agree ,have not seen Juan Carlos looking so relaxed and affable with Queens Sofia and Letizia in a long time.

[HereditaryPrincess]

It was great to see the photos and videos of Sofia's first communion, thank you to all those who shared them with us.
It was also nice to see Juan Carlos there, and I concur with the other posters: the reactions between Sofia, Letizia and Juan Carlos were lovely. It's so good to see them getting along. Infanta Sofia looked charming in her uniform, but I must say, I do prefer the traditional white dresses (which are still common for girls here in England, IIRC - I'm not Catholic myself but from what I've heard, they still are worn) since they seem more 'exciting' for a little girl than everyday school wear. I would have felt more 'special' at Sofia's age wearing a white dress. And not just because of the excitement, but also because of the tradition behind them. Leonor looked beautiful too in her blue dress, she looked quite grown up and stylish. I just can't believe how big the girls get each time we see photos of them. If I didn't know who they were, I would easily think they were non-identical twins.

[camelot23ca]

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

Infanta Sofia looked charming in her uniform, but I must say, I do prefer the traditional white dresses (which are still common for girls here in England, IIRC - I'm not Catholic myself but from what I've heard, they still are worn) since they seem more 'exciting' for a little girl than everyday school wear. I would have felt more 'special' at Sofia's age wearing a white dress. And not just because of the excitement, but also because of the tradition behind them.

We have both parish and independent Catholic schools here and from friends and colleagues with kids that age I know a couple of the schools have had the children wear their uniform at their first communion for awhile now. Apparently the schools got sick of having some girls turn up in obviously very expensive dresses and having to remind parents every year that a first communion is supposed to be a simple, serious affair, not a fashion competition.

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by camelot23ca

We have both parish and independent Catholic schools here and from friends and colleagues with kids that age I know a couple of the schools have had the children wear their uniform at their first communion for awhile now. Apparently the schools got sick of having some girls turn up in obviously very expensive dresses and having to remind parents every year that a first communion is supposed to be a simple, serious affair, not a fashion competition.

Ah, I see. I can understand the schools' frustration because even though I still of course like the traditional dresses, some families do go rather over the top with them and spend a fortune finding the perfect one.

[ladejesus]

I still don't get why Ana Togores is never in the family pics even though she's goes to the events.

Anyway, congrats to la Infanta Sofia! She and Leonor looked beautiful! I was also surprised to see KJC looking so well.

[Countessmeout]

Maybe she doesn't feel comfortable.

It's also a little different. Yes she is married to Letizias father but she was never a stepmother. Not in that she was around when Letizia grew up. It isn't like Prince Charles who has been around his step kids since birth.

She has been invited to events and seen with the family. It's not some kind of snub. IMO, could be wrong, may be a comfort decision.

[ladejesus]

@Countesmeout, I guess that make sense. It just always looks strange to me.

[Blog Real]

Vídeo:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6o2qER...ature=youtu.be