Figure 1.--This German boy wears a very formal knee pants suit for his confirmation. The cap is his school cap. Note the Eton-like collar and small bow. He wears black long stockings and low-cut shoes. German children commonly wore long stockings for warmth, but they were also worn for formal occasions. The portrait was done as apostcard and boy and parents sent portraits like this to family and friends. The boy is unidentified. The portrait is undated, but we would guess it was taken in the late-1920s.

Confirmation is an important event in the life of a German 14-year old girl or boy in the Protestant („evangelisch“) confession. The primary Protestant confession is the Lutheran Church. Confirmation is primarily an event for Protestant boys. Lutheran confirmation is a public profession of faith prepared for by long and careful instruction. In English, it is called "affirmation of baptism", and is a mature and public profession of the faith which "marks the completion of the congregation's program of confirmation ministry". [Lutheran Book of Worship - Ministers Desk Edition, p.324.] Confirmation is a recognized Christian sacrament, accepted by both Protestants and Catholics. For catholics, however, the First Communion at about age 8 years is the most important religious event for a boy or girl. The Catholic Confirmation plays an only very minor role and is not much visible in the commuities. Protestant families commonly send out photographs of their sons in their new suit bought for confirmation. Sometimes these are regular suits, but some boys wear very formal suits. Friends and relatives send the boiys cards with congratulations. Germany since World war II has become an increasingly secular country. Thus not as many children do Confirmations today as was common in earlier years.

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Created: 7:45 PM 11/4/2008
Last edited: 7:45 PM 11/4/2008