First Holy Communion is a special time for many families. It often involves extensive preparations, choosing a unique, original outfit for a child, a party for loved ones in a restaurant and expensive gifts for the hero/heroine of the celebration. Some people ironically say that this custom begins to resemble the “pompous” preparations usually associated with a wedding. Still others openly criticize it. These include, among others: priest prof. Andrzej Kobyliński from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw.
The priest gave an interview to the website in which he referred to the current shape of the first Holy Communion. He stated that “if he became pope”, his first decision “would be to cancel the first Holy Communion in Poland in its current version.”
During this religious ceremony, focusing on money, makeup, perfumes, branded clothes, restaurants, guests and gifts is very harmful to the development of children’s conscience and religious sensitivity. This has gotten out of control in Poland over the last 20-30 years. This harmful social phenomenon must be radically stopped
– said the philosopher. He explained that receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion it should have a more spiritual, religious dimension, whereas currently it is mainly consumerist. In his opinion, “lavishly organized” communion events bring “more harm than good”. At the same time, he pointed out that this is not always the case. There are exceptions, but according to the priest, they are relatively few.
First Communion. in Poland. Priest: “This madness can no longer be stopped”
What would have to change to receive First Holy Communion? has it taken on a more sublime character? According to the ethicist, the ceremony should take place on a weekday, not on Sunday. A smaller group of children should also participate. – Without all these different decorations, photographers, glitter (…). Not a nouveau riche wedding, but the first Holy Communion. in a modest version – said the priest.
He also added that it is not possible to persuade parents to completely give up organizing First Communion parties for their children. According to the professor, lavish parties have become a “tradition”. – It was reduced to celebrations and rituals, and became to a large extent a pagan religion (…) – he said.
(…) We are returning in Poland to pagan religiosity focused on money, rituals, nice photos and good dinners in restaurants
– says the priest. In an interview with o2.pl, he added that “this madness associated with organizing a First Communion party can no longer be stopped.” According to him, the first Holy Communion is already a thriving business from which restaurant and shop owners make money. Besides, children are happy mainly at the thought of gifts. – We got what we wanted, we ruined religion. Religion has been stripped of its spiritual content and ridiculed, Fr. summed up bitterly. prof. Kobyliński.
Source: Gazeta
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