First Communion

Monday was not a normal school day.  It was First Communion Day for the third graders.  The students at the elementary school in Salvacion had learned their prayers and had studied their catechism and were ready to receive the host for the first time.  At 8:00, they began to come to the neighborhood church and their teachers and spiritual instructors were their to orchestrate the ceremony for their big day.  Not all the parents could attend because it was a work day but all of the celebrants had at least one person to walk them up the aisle for their first Communion.  Before that moment happened, each of the children went up to Father Mendoza and made their first confession. This was a private time and it was not rushed or hurried. After the last child had returned to their seat, the children lined up with their lit candles and walked in procession up the main aisle.  Then mass started.  The children were the lectors and they did a wonderful job.  Each read their part with clarity and calm.  It was uplifting.  Songs were sung and after an hour a few heads were whirling and veils were slipping but the boys did not fish any toys out of their pockets or throw any spit wads, so the solemn moment was just that, solemn. Those children who brought an offering, took it forward.  There was fruit, pesos and a few bottles of rum.  The families gave what they had to give. Each child came forward with a parent and each received their host. In the children's hands were lit candles.  The candles remained lit for the rest of the mass and I watched each and every one as they flickered close to the netting of the veils and the rayon of the boys' shirts.  All went well. It was truly a privilege to be invited to this monumental event in these children's lives.