Last Sunday, I attended a First Holy Communion service for my friend’s son. Our entire family was invited but due to the perceived length of the ceremony and the expected crowd, Mien Mann and I decided I would go to the church service and he and the boys would join me at the celebration afterwards. Being raised Catholic, I was excited to support my friend and her son in this special expression of faith.
I got to the church about twenty minutes early and managed to squeeze into a spot in the last pew while people continued to file in. Grateful for my seat, I flipped through the program and looked over the songs printed in German. My language skills are slowly progressing but I’m still somewhat clueless. I eventually sat back and took in my surroundings. I love old churches!
A coughing spell came over me a few minutes before the ceremony started. I stepped outside, in attempts to catch my breath, and caught sight of a procession coming towards the church. Music from a brass band filled the air while children dressed in cream-colored robes walked in two lines.
At the end of the procession were the proud families of the children. I was so glad I had stepped out and caught sight of this! As I took pictures, my cough settled again allowing me to return back to my seat once everyone had entered the sanctuary.
For the next hour and a half, I witnessed the sacredness of sacrament. Though I couldn’t understand every word that was spoken, the message was not lost on me. Candles were lit, songs were sung and the children participated in various aspects of the Mass with the culmination of taking their first Holy Communion amongst their families and friends.
Near the end of the service, it was announced that the family of the child who I had come to support would be singing a special song. My friend is from Cameroon, Africa though she now calls Germany her home. She and her extended family filled the church with an amazing A cappella song from her homeland. The significance and beauty of it all almost brought me to tears. Shortly after, the celebration was over…
BUT, the party was just beginning!
Our family went to the reception together. When we arrived, the room was full of voices speaking in French, German and English. Traditional Cameroonian food was displayed on a long buffet table while bright decorations filled the room from floor to ceiling. Appetizers and drinks were out for the taking as we mingled.
My friend and her son welcomed the crowd in all three languages. A song was sung together to open a time of prayer before we were all invited to dine on some seriously TASTY food! A kind woman gave me the run down on what the different dishes were as I filled me plate. My tongue still waters just thinking about the delicious flavors I savored during that meal. Mmm…
After lunch, the dancing was kicked off with a special performance! My friend was beaming while she watched her son dance. I couldn’t help but smile.
What a rich and meaningful day! I’m so thankful we were invited to be a part of the celebration. Here’s my sweet friend and I alongside a family picture we had taken that afternoon.
Sacred moments have a beautiful way of bringing another dimesion to life. Gott sei mit dir!
