Historical information

According to the donor, Fr Fitzpatrick is the priest on the RHS of the Communion group.

Significance

This is one of a series of photos that document John Turnbull’s First Communion. They are representative of this important rite of passage in the Catholic Church in the 1950s.
The sacrament of First Communion is an important tradition for Catholic families and individuals. Originally this was celebrated when a child was 10, 12 or even 14 years of age, however in 1910, Pope Pius X issued the decree Quam singulari, which changed the age at which First Communion is taken to 7 years old.
Traditions of celebration surrounding First Communion usually include family gatherings and parties to celebrate the event. The first communicant wears special clothing. The clothing is often white to symbolize purity. It is more elaborate for girls but boys wear ‘Sunday best’; it could be a suit and tie or even a tuxedo.
Many families have formal professional photographs taken in addition to candid snapshots in order to commemorate the event and some churches arrange for a professional photographer to attend after the ceremony.

Physical description

A black and white photo of 16 visible boys (plus one additional boy almost completely obscured to the right of the group), 23 girls and 2 priests. The boys are wearing shorts and white shirts with ties. The girls are wearing white dresses and veils. The children are grouped with 12 boys in the back row and 4 kneeling in the front. The girls are in the front and centre rows and the priests are either side of the group. Behind the group is a large cypress tree and to either side the church and (?) school building. One of the boys is John Turnbull.

Inscriptions & markings

On rear in black ink: "John's 1st COMMUNION / 1951 / JOHN IS BACK ROW / 2ND FROM LEFT".