The first communion is a very special moment for Catholic children and their families. At around the age of seven, a Catholic child is given the Host – the body of Christ – for the first time. In the past it was considered essential that on the day of this rite of passage they should have nothing to eat or drink beforehand, not even a sip of water. This plate is part of the personal crockery set traditionally given to children as a souvenir of this event. It commemorates their first breakfast after the Mass. Other commemorative communion gifts were just as ‘cute’ as the communicants themselves; from Holy Water fonts, to spoons, cups, bowls, paintings, plaques and figurines. And, of course, there was also a lamb-shaped ice cream cake... Nowadays, the ritual transition of the first communion – and its secular counterpart the spring festival – is celebrated a little differently.