SOME PRETTY FRENCH CUSTOMS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 44, 1 November 1900, Page 20

SOME PRETTY FRENCH CUSTOMS

Writixc from Paris to the \\ < >t< m Wati-hman, Father Phelan nays — This is First Communion time, and you see hundreds of boys and girls walking the streets in the clothes they wore at their First Communion , the girls wearing white dresses and veils and the boya white ribbons and bows on their left arms. Everyone stops to kiss the girN and '•oin<* < yen to ki»s the boys. They do it with an intensity of expression that indicates that they are thrilled with the memory of their own First Communion. I think it is a beautiful way of pleaching, and one that we have not. Another beautiful custom is the election of a Rosiero. This is tho girl in the parish who has been the most edifying during the previous 12 months. This is not merely a matter of honor; there i- a sum of money allotted to her, in some instances reaching 1000 francs At a meeting la.st Sunday in one of the suburbs of Paris the fortunate girl was the daughter of a washerwoman. She had be.-n gentle and modest to all, and especially kind and helpful to her mother. The meeting was held in the public square. The Maire made a speech. The Cure came out with the sodalities and altar b >ys in procession and conducted the happy girl into the the church, where she was solemnly crowned. The ceremonies ended with B -nediction. The young Rosiere is expected to visit the hick of the parish for the next year, attend all the funerals of the young people, and h tve a special care of the altar of the Blessed Virgin in the parish church. Every citizen uncovers to her and the gendarmes present arms to her for the next 12 months. This is another way they have over here of preaching goodness.'