First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church occurs when children are about seven or eight years old. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—lay the foundations of every Christian life….”
For this reason, it’s a special occasion requiring teaching, practice and preparation. As part of the preparation and in keeping with the reverence of receiving the Eucharist for their first time, the children wear nice clothes, some purchased solely for this special occasion. first communion dresses for the girls has become a tradition that in many communities and cultures involves a very fancy white communion dress, matching white shoes, a veil and sometimes gloves and other accessories.
While traditionally, a white first communion dress is worn; in some parishes a very nice dress of any color may be worn. For girls, pastels matching the spring season are common. The white communion dress and the veil both have their history in the symbolism of the young girl as a bride signifying purity and fidelity.
For both boys and girls, dressing up for first communion symbolizes the importance of the event but should not detract from the deeper meaning spiritually.
