PREPARING TO receive the Catholic Church’s “blessed sacrament” used to centre on fasting from midnight and getting into a “state of grace”. Not any more.
“Complementary curling”, “colour confidence consultations” and “goody bags” filled with “pampering treats” were among the attractions at what is believed to be Ireland’s first Holy Communion expo.
Timed to coincide with the bank holiday weekend and modelled on the successful wedding fair concept, the Holy Communion fair and beauty demonstrations at Kilkenny’s Market Cross shopping centre represent the latest manifestation of the commercialisation of religious occasions.
Stallholders offered a panoply of accoutrements and services, from personalised mini-candles with photo (10 for €30) to a magician-for-hire (€150 for 90 minutes).
“Mall entertainment” was provided by saxophonist Eoin O’Brien who, despite being retained for the occasion, thought “the idea of having a Communion fair is a bit mad”. His twin daughters will be among those participating in the ceremony later this month and he reckoned the day would cost him “€1,000 without being extravagant”.
But there were plenty of temptations on offer to encourage parents to splurge even more. And, with children distracted by a “bouncy castle” and a display of juggling, the adults could, as one woman commented, “go all out”.
Peter Mark hairdressing salon manager Emma McCarthy said “a lot of people are coming in to make appointments”. A girl’s hairdo would range “from €30 to €45” with curls and upstyle most popular. She was planning to spend about €1,500 on her daughter’s big day, “not including gifts”. Apart from the €450 cost of the dress, shoes and accessories, which included a €30 diamond hair clasp, the family would be buying outfits and she’s hired a hotel room to host “lunch for 30 people”.
“I can’t really afford it but we’ve chosen to do it,” she said. “It’s her special day.”
Staff from local hotels handed out flyers for lunch “packages” and home catering services. The “Communion menu” offered by the Club House Hotel featured “jalapeño stuffed chicken with whiskey sauce” and “peach and brandy Charlotte”.
Superquinn had laid out a table groaning beneath quantities of sample party food. Their piéce de résistance, a green-and-yellow Communion cake, was decorated with a gold chalice, a Host imprinted with IHS, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and a rosary beads which an assistant pointed out was “not edible”.
Nicky Roche of the Unicare pharmacy was taking bookings for women “to have their make-up done on the morning itself”.
There was little evidence of the economic downturn. The car park was full and traffic gridlocked. Businesswoman Jennifer McCreery had no doubts about what was happening: “There’s a huge amount of pride and people are not going to admit they can’t afford things. Parents will do anything to give children a Holy Communion to remember.”
Lesley Cleere, the shopping centre’s assistant manager, was delighted with the brisk pace of business and said next year will be “bigger and better”.
