Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is one of the greatest Feasts of our Holy Catholic Faith. For hundreds of years magnificent Processions have held place where Priests and lay people reverently and proudly process the streets behind Our Lord. Never has it been more vital than today to bring Jesus through the streets, to publicly show our deep love and gratitude and adoration of Him, and not of the world.

Corpus Christi is the perfect feast day for First Holy Communion where a little child receives Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity for the first time. 

1950s England - beautifully stylish and classical First Holy Communion girls. Lace caps, flowers and gloves were all very popular.

Corpus Christi in Serbia. Traditional dress looks so beautiful!

German First Holy Communicants in glorious national dress. I love their intricate hair styles and jewelled head dresses.

Our annual Corpus Christi Procession in Oxford. The First Holy Communicants wear their dresses and veils and scatter rose petals in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Grace Therese with her rose petals before the Procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi. 

'O Sacrament most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving

be every moment Thine'

Holy Trinity Sunday

On Holy Trinity Sunday we went to the First Holy Communions of three dear children- Columba, Elizabeth and Frances.

There was a beautiful Missa Cantata and they received Our Blessed Lord's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, with a pure white Holy Communion veil (otherwise known as a houseling, a domenical or a manutergium) which was spread across the Altar rails in case any Pieces of the Host are accidentally dropped. 

Afterwards there was a joyful celebration in the Church grounds with champagne and a magnificent Holy Communion cake.

Elizabeth and Frances on their First Holy Communion Day. Elizabeth wears her Grandmother's dress with a beautiful veil and flower crown from Etsy. Frances wears a long, antique veil.

Elizabeth's veil was very pretty and detailed with flowers and frills down the back.

The First Holy Communion boy, Columba, looked resplendent in his kilt, sporran and tie.

A fabulous First Holy Communion cake by Lucy Shaw cakes http://lucyshawcakes.blogspot.co.uk/

Modesty is beautiful

Modesty and purity shine through the soul. When  a lady remains pure of heart it is to be honoured. Covering one's head in reverence to Our Lord shows great respect and humility to Him who made us. 

Teaching our little girls, by example, to always veil on entering a Church, and especially when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament helps with their formation, teaches them modesty, purity and humility. 

Veiling a small baby teaches them modesty from a tender age.

As the young girl reaches her First Holy Communion Day she will be familiar with wearing a mantilla and showing her reverence to God.

As she grows into a young, godly lady she will learn that covering her head before God helps with prayer and teaches true humility.

On her Wedding Day a lady will veil before her bride groom and Our Lord. 

As a young Mother she will pass on the tradition of veiling to her children.

Directing her heart towards God.

Mantillas, or head coverings, can look elegant at any age. This painting is of an older lady humbly attired in a long black mantilla.

'Purity is the fruit of prayer'

Blessed Mother Teresa