First Holy Communion Veils...now.

First Holy Communion, such an important and beautiful day, the beginning of a child's Eucharistic life. This Sacrament is so spectacular that a child must prepare their  entire soul, mind and physical being for it. They will experience the monumental Sacrament of Holy Confession, where their sins are washed away by Christ's Precious Blood, and only then, can they approach the Holy Altar and receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Blessed Lord, a Treasure so beautiful it is hard to verbalise. The young girl's attire will be that of a young Bride of Christ, usually a white dress and matching mantilla; pure, innocent and free from all iniquity. 

My eldest daughter, Marie, who made her First Holy Communion on the Feast of Corpus Christi. 2005. She wore a Spanish mantilla which had lace edging.

Receiving Our Dear Lord in the Traditional Rite. I love the blue shawl and sash the young Communicant is wearing.

Beautiful mantilla with small Crosses, perfect for a First Holy Communion.

Pure white modest veil and dress from Zelie's Roses.

A stunning First Holy Communion veil depicting the Sacred Body and Blood of Our Lord.

'Hoc est corpus meum'

First Holy Communion Veils...then.

First Holy Communion ; what a sacred and special time in a small child's life! It is only right that a young girl meets her Lord in perfect attire, as a young Bride of Christ. May all our young daughters love Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament all the days of their lives.

A beautiful young Holy Communicant around the late 1900s. The very long clear veil with the circle of flowers to hold it on was popular.

Five young Brides of Christ receive Him for the very first time...

1925 - A full veil with a flower style band.

A few years later and the veil remains long and full.

All in pure white, ready to meet Our Lord.

Beautiful painting depicting First Holy Communicants in a Procession following the Sacrament.

Dear St Therese of Lisieux on her First Holy Communion day on May 8th, 1884.

Pouring her love out before His Real Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament, her mission “to make God loved” began.  Of her First Communion, in which Therese received Love Himself personally for the first time, she writes, “It was a kiss of love, I felt myself loved, and I replied, ‘I love You and I give myself to You forever.”

In days of olde

Some beautiful lace mantillas from days past. It is lovely to think that the mantilla is alive and well in many traditions today, especially within the Traditional Latin Mass community. Veiling inside a Church where no one veils is also important as it shows people just how beautiful and humble a custom it is, and with prayers, they may follow this example of wearing a head covering to honour God. 

Late 19th century lace mantilla

German cabinet card of a young woman in a lace veil.

Praying at Holy Mass in the 1950s.

Crocheted mantilla in the 1940s with roses.

When in Spain...

A lady wearing a traditional Spanish mantilla during a Procession in Spain.

The peineta (comb) holds the mantilla in place and also elevates it to create an almost 'fan' behind the face.

A very high peineta...

During Holy Week in Spain even tiny Senoritas wear the black mantilla. I love her pearls!

Grace Therese was spotted to have made her own peineta from her rose in her hair! How very Spanish of her.

One of many different and varied peinetas. 

Our Lady's Nativity

On this special feast of Our Lady's Nativity we look to the epitome of perfection in womanhood- Our Blessed Mother. She would have undoubtedly covered her head and always been modestly attired. Let us always keep her as the exemplary woman for our little ladies and growing girls!

'O Mary, by thy pure and immaculate conception, make my body pure and my soul holy.'

The most perfect of women.

Mary most pure, Mary most holy.

The mantilla in art

The mantilla has been depicted in paintings very beautifully. 

These paintings show real femininity and humility. 

May we always wear our mantillas with reverence and piety, knowing we are doing so for the glory of God and so He can increase and we can decrease.

A lady at prayer.

Enshrouding the face to enable concentration in prayer.

A more traditional style mantilla.

Beautiful red veil.

Pretty in Pink!

Mantillas come in all shapes and sizes, and all colours. I think it is quite lovely to wear a matching mantilla. At Weddings bridesmaids look especially beautiful in them, as below.

Little bridesmaid Lucia looking beautiful in a bright pink mantilla and matching basket - I love the contrast of the sunny orange dress!

Kiara, Lucia's older sister also looking stunning in a pink mantilla too.

The brightly coloured mantillas look lovely on these young ladies too- I love the orange bouquet!

The Mother of the two darling girls above, Mary, looking pretty in pink.