Sunday Snippets – First communion remembrances

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This time of year lots of people are looking for gifts to give to first communion children. I have a suggestion.

My grandmother got me a simple little paper remembrance book for my first communion.

Try to find one that tells a little something about the time period. For example, my remembrance has a picture of Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI because I received my first communion in 1967, very close to both pontificates. A remembrance now with a picture of Pope Benedict will serve as a special reminder in the decades ahead. My remembrance also captures the flavor of the time, with the little girls kneeling at the communion rail and receiving on the tongue (something I still try to do incidentally, unless I have a cold, or have used a cough drop during mass).

But what makes this little book even more special to me is that my name and the date are in my grandma’s handwriting.

I also note that even today, the best first communion prayer books have a prayer before a crucifix printed in them.

My little book also had the names of my grandparents, uncle and sister, all in my grandma’s handwriting. Mom signed her name at the bottom as simply, “Mama.”

This simple little first communion remembrance is one of my little treasures that I cherish more than 40 years later. I think those personal and timely things are what make it so special.

Incidentally, if you are looking for some unique chaplets or rosaries for first communions, confirmations, birthdays or other occasions, please check out the Handmade-Rosaries eBay Store. I purchased several beautiful wooden chaplets from this seller to give to our RCIA candidates at the Easter Vigil.  They are well made, beautiful and affordable.  The seller delivered them quickly too. I will definitely purchase items from him again in the future.!

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