First Communion

The First Communion in Naples is not only a religious sacrament, but it is experienced as a real rite of passage to be celebrated properly. It can be considered a community event that holds many levels of interpretations and meanings, far from being limited to religion. For the young person involved and for his/her family the Holy Communion is filled with social and moral public obligations to be fulfilled in many ways, from wearing expensive clothes to the setting of great banquets and often “spectacular entertainment”, such as the participation of representatives of the Neapolitan contemporary pop music called neomelodic. In recent years Communions often became more important than weddings, especially if parents have had children before marriage: the celebration of their child’s Communion becomes the feast of their dreams, the one they did not have for their marriage, and it is also perceived as an entrance into society. As the age of the first Communion occurs at the age of nine, in this context appears to be still related to the incoming puberty, especially for the female communicants, often seen as and called “spose bambine” (young brides). They are in fact dressed, fully embellished and treated like young brides, with elaborate and expensive dresses, made in the best ateliers in the city. The celebration of the First Communion, as it involves the very young generations and the whole community, holds a great social meaning. It is a premise and a promise for future success. And it has to be a day to remember forever.