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Polish boys clothes religion -- First Communion chronology
Polish First Communion: Chronology
Figure 1.-- This Polish boy is dressed for his First Communion. We note German boys dressed similarly. Even the candle looks German. A reader believes the portrait was taken in the 1940s, we believe the 1930s is more likely. We are told that the usual age for first communion at the time in Poland was about 9-10 years which looks about right for this boy. I'm not quite sure what sort of blouse the boy is wearing. It has a dicky as well as a large Schiller-style collar, but doesn't look like an ordinary shirt with buttons down the front. The suit is the common double breasted model with short trousers done like knee pants--note the buttons. The suit is worn with the customary black long stockings and Leibchen (bodice with hose supporters). Black long stockings were seen as appropriste for formal occassiins. Poland remains today devoutly Roman Catholic for the most part. This looks like a studio portrait, probably taken in one of the major cities, Warsaw or Cracow.
First Communion is very important in Poland. The country is perhaps the most Catholic country in Europe. As such the cere We don't yet have much historical information on First Communion in Poland. And unfortunately our photographic archive is very limnited. We know nothing about the 19th century. At the time, Poland was mostly under Russian rule with smaller areas controlled by Prussia/Germany and Austria. There was a varying degree of religious freedom in these countries, although Austria was the only Catholic ruler. The situation was complicated, especially because the Catholic Church was the symbol of Polish nationalism at a time when Tsar Alexander III launched a major Russification program. All of our information on First Communion comes from the post-World war I era when Poland gained its independence. The few examplws we have found show the children dressed much as German children dressed at the time for First Communion. In fact, it is very difficult to identify Polish First Communions unless the children are identified. We alsdo notice First Communions during the Communist era (1945-88). We are not sure just how many children did First Communion during this era are what rules were set by the Communist authorities. Communist rule ended (1988), but we do not yet have much information on hiw First Communion is celebrated in modern Poland.
The 19th Century
We know nothing about the 19th century. At the time, Poland was mostly under Russian rule with smaller areas controlled by Prussia/Germany and Austria. There was a varying degree of religious freedom in these countries, although Austria was the only Catholic ruler. The situation was complicated, especially because the Catholic Church was the symbol of Polish nationalism at a time when Tsar Alexander III launched a major Russification program to create a more unifirm Russian state rather than a multi-national empire. The two groups most affected by this effort were the Jews and the Poles.
Poland underwent enormous change in the 20th century. It began as aestive province in the Tsarist Empire bent on Russification. World War I brought the reappearance of an independent Poland (1918). This ended with the NAZI ahd Soviet invasions,both intent on destoying Poland (1939). The Catholic Church was a key aspect of Polish nationlism. The NAZIs prepared plans to eliintes the POlish people as well as the country. The NAZIs invaded theSoviet Union and occupied eastern POland that had been occupied by the Soviets (1941). The Soviets drive out the NAZis and install a Communist Government (1944-45). The Communists attempt to destroy the Church, but fail. The Polish people finally ocerthrow Communis (1988). Though all this, children continued to do their First Communion, but we are unsure just how the ceremony and anility to observe it was affected. All of our information on First Communion comes from the post-World war I era when Poland gained its independence. The few examplws we have found show the children dressed much as German children dressed at the time for First Communion. In fact, it is very difficult to idestinguish Polish First Communions from German celebrations unless the children are identified. Surprisingly the great threat to the Church and First Ciommunion my be the growing seculrization of Polish society simnce the fall of Communism. Hopefully our Polish readers will provide some further details with u\information bout their First Communion experiences.
The 21st Century
We do not yet have much information on hiw First Communion is celebrated in modern Poland. One report suggests that albs have become more common. One report suggests th albs have become more common. Some parishes are now requiring that children attending their First Holy Communion wear an 'Alba', which is basically a robe. This makes everyone look equal.
This has become a norm over the last few years because since the fall of Communish, Poles are becoming more affluent. The better off families are prone to display their children in the most elegant, expensive newest fashion in order to show iff their success. The seem to compete against other families. This isparticular true for the girls. The girls are dressed in very expensive almost bride-like creations, look like models. Some even wear make-up and sport fabulous hairdos. They get perms and highlighted. Their ears get pierced. The boys wear expensive wool suits. Even the parents dress extravagantly, some wearing fur coats. Communion gifts are becoming equally expensive, such as computers, bicycles, watches, gold rings and other toys. This is sending an unfiortunate messageamong the poorer parents and making them feel embarased, even ashamed. The mentality behind this is very un-Christian. The trend is to show how much money one has and for everyone to see, not what the occassion stands for. As a result, the Albas are becoming more popular, leaving less stress on the families and enjoying the occasion. Another Polish reader tells us, "In the early 21st century, the age for receiving First Communion was standardized to 10 years.
In my city, that meant raising the age by a year. Suitsalong with Albs, suits appeared again."
