At the moment, First Communion is being celebrated in many communities, so it almost looks as if the old Catholic Bavaria still exists, as if Pope Benedict XVI. took the remains with him to his resting place under St. Peter’s Basilica. After, of all things, his becoming a pope had revived popular piety – or something that looked like it – in the Free State.
The churches are emptying, but those who turn their backs on religion don’t have to give up all the nice customs right away. Leonhardiritte, Corpus Christi processions, Christmas trees, everything makes a lot.
And so those who cannot complete the church pew triathlon standing-sitting-kneeling in the right timing and who shake their outstretched hands with a helpless “Good day” at the peace greeting also come to First Communion.
The rest is easy, relatives, lots of gifts, sumptuous food, it’s no different today than it was 30 years ago. There have recently been reports of new smartphones on the gift table, of Apple Watches and all sorts of expensive gadgets. For comparison: The gift list from 1987 documents, among other things, a wristwatch from the godmother, an – analog – camera from grandpa, two glass figures from the neighbor, a horse book with five marks in it from the other neighbor. Neatly written down back then, so that no one is forgotten when giving thanks and so that the gift is given back appropriately at the next First Communion.
Anyone who gives a gift to a child receiving communion today will receive a thank you card designed on the computer, perhaps even a bottle of sparkling wine with the image of the child celebrating on the label. In the past, homemade cakes had to be distributed. Three pieces of cake, different ones of course, plus different pieces of cake, apple, eggnog, something with chocolate. And Küchla, undressed, dozens of which were made for this purpose, in order to then select only those without blemish. This cake package had to look perfect and at the same time effortless. So that afterwards nobody could help but ask for the recipe of the delicious coconut and pineapple cake.
What does that have to do with the old Catholic Bavaria? Nothing at all, but it’s a pity about the beautiful cake challenge. After all, who can still bake perfect cakes these days?