Figure 1.--These French boys in Oran, Algeria are doning their First Communion in 1957. They are doing it at the Eglise Saint Andre (St. Andrew Church). Presumably these bos attended state schools and thus did their First Communion through the Church rather than their schools. Note the variety of suits. Some styles especially for First Communion and others ordinary suit styles. These boys all wear long pants suits. We suspect that in France itself some boys woyld have had short pats suits.

First Communion is one of the important step's in a French child's life. The children in Catholic schools were prepared in school for their First Communnion. We are not sure about state schools. The French Revolution which had a strong anti-clerical strain may have ended this, but France at the time was only beginning to develop a national school system. The perogatives of the Church were regained both under Napoleon and ten during the Bourbon Restoration. Presumably during this era children were prepared for their First Communion in the schools. The Third Republic following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) brought major changes in the church-state relationship. Just when religion instruction and preparation for First Communion was ended in the schools we do not yet know.

First Communion

First Communion is one of the important step's in a French child's life. French boys like American boys used to get dressed up in new suits or fancy outfits for their First Communion. The suits have changed over time. Some were simplly new suits. I have unfortunately, little historical information on the suits worn before the 20th Century.

Schools

The children in Catholic schools were prepared in school for their First Communnion. We are not sure about state schools. The French Revolution which had a strong anti-clerical strain may have ended this, but France at the time was only beginning to develop a national school system. The perogatives of the Church were regained both under Napoleon and ten during the Bourbon Restoration. Presumably during this era children were prepared for their First Communion in the schools. The Third Republic following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) brought major changes in the church-state relationship. Just when religion instruction and preparation for First Communion was ended in the schools we do not yet know.

Created: 12:38 AM 11/10/20048
Last updated: 8:07 PM 11/23/2004