COMMUNION: SOLEMN VS. FIRST

Many of us, especially those of the Christian persuasion, are familiar with first Communion. Nowadays most youngsters will make their First Communion around the age of seven or so, but that wasn't always the case.

I love sharing old family photos here. This is my maternal Grandmother 

celebrating her Solemn Communion.

Prior to 1910, children in the Catholic Church, didn't receive the sacrament of Holy Communion until they were in their teens. This was known as their Solemn Communion, which had its roots in many European countries.

This is my mom on her First Communion day.

In 1910, Pope Pius the X issued a decree saying that children should receive the sacrament of Communion at an earlier age, which led to most children receiving the sacrament at around seven years old. However, some European countries continued to celebrate both First and Solemn Communions well into the late 1900's.