My religion

Everyone has their own religion and, in the process, their own beliefs. My religion is Christianity, which makes it one of my subcultures. Let me tell you a bit more about my religion and what it involves.

Baptism

The first tradition that comes up in my religion is baptism. A few months after the birth of a child, parents choose to have their child baptised in church. It is a kind of ceremony where the child is given baptismal water over the head and the following words are spoken: 'I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit'. It is the first sacrament of Christianity and gives access to other sacraments such as Holy Communion.

First communion

First communion is the next tradition celebrated within Christianity. This ceremony and celebration happens when the child is in the first grade at the age of 6 or 7. They approach the Eucharist for the first time. A fun tradition done during the banquet after the ceremony is that during dessert, an ice cream cake in the shape of a lamb is placed in front of the child. The latter has to cut off the head of the lamb with a knife and then red juice oozes from its neck. The lamb symbolises Jesus Christ taking away the sins of the world. It is a beautiful ending to the feast.

Solemn Communion

Solemn communion or confirmation is the third sacrament celebrated. The person baptised receives the power of the Holy Spirit to profess his faith steadfastly. It is an anointing based on the New Testament. During the ceremony, there is the laying on of hands by both parents and the child's godfather and godmother. Confirmation happens when the child is in the sixth grade, i.e. 11 or 12 years old.

Marriage

Then, when we finally grow up, find the love of our lives and want to settle down, marriage often comes into play. In Belgium, you always marry before the law first. Then you can get married in church with a ceremony that you can largely put together yourself. According to tradition, you can only get married in church once.

Funeral