After the christening medal, three steps mark a young Christian's path: First Communion, the profession of faith and confirmation. For each, French tradition associates a piece of jewellery, often the first one the child chooses and truly wears. Here is the meaning of each step, the piece that goes with it, and how to choose one that will be kept for life.
The three steps at a glance
| Step | Usual age | What it means | Traditional jewellery |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Communion | Around 8 | The child receives the Eucharist for the first time | A cross, or a medal larger than the christening one |
| Profession of faith | Around 11 or 12 | The child personally renews the promises of their baptism | A cross, worn over the alb and then every day |
| Confirmation | Often in adolescence, sometimes as an adult | The sacrament of the gift of the Holy Spirit | A dove medal, a cross, or a patron saint medal |
Ages vary between parishes and dioceses; the jewellery follows the meaning of the step more than the age.
For a First Communion: the cross or a larger medal
First Communion is often the occasion for a first cross. La Croix, a Latin cross with a square section and no ornament, comes in four sizes; 13 x 20 mm is the classic communion size. For a child who already wears a christening medal, you can also give a 20 mm medal with a bolder relief, or simply a longer chain, 45 cm, so they can keep wearing their christening medal as they grow (see how to choose a chain). A cross and a medal look very good together, on the same chain.
For a profession of faith: a cross to wear for life
The profession of faith, specific to the French tradition, is not a sacrament: the child repeats personally, before the community, the promises their parents and godparents made on their behalf at baptism. The cross is its natural sign. It is the moment for a more personal cross, one that will be kept into adulthood:
- The Mayaud Cross, the House's signature cross, with branches bordered in beads and palmette ends; or the slimmer Mayaud Cross No. 2.
- The Jerusalem cross, the pilgrims' cross, five crosses in one.
- The Domed Cross, a Latin cross with a curved profile, sober and modern.
For a confirmation: the dove, the cross or the patron saint
Confirmation completes Christian initiation: it is the sacrament of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which Christian art has always represented as a dove. Three choices make sense:
- The dove: our Dove medal and the Divine Dove, in gold, silver or mother-of-pearl.
- A bolder cross, for a young person approaching adulthood: the Royal Cross, pierced with Gothic tracery and ending in fleurs-de-lys, or the Rose Window Cross II, which transposes a cathedral rose window's tracery into a cross.
- A patron saint medal: some confirmands choose a saint to accompany them; see our guide to finding the patron saint medal.
Gold, silver or gold-plated?
For a piece kept for life, 18-karat yellow gold (750/1000) remains the choice for passing down. The solid silver of our crosses and medals is rhodium-plated: it does not tarnish and needs no care. Gold plate allows a lighter gift, for a medal. For the chain, 9-karat gold (375/1000) is a good compromise: it contains half as much fine gold as 18-karat, and is better chosen for the chain than for the cross or medal. Details in our guide to materials.
Engraving: name, date and occasion
An engraving on the reverse, the name and the date of the ceremony, turns a medal into a dated keepsake; our engravings are done in Paris. For crosses, engraving remains a special request, possible on solid designs; openwork crosses, through which light passes, cannot be engraved.
When to order?
Our crosses are made to order in our Paris workshop: allow 10 to 15 days before shipping. For a communion or a profession of faith in spring, order several weeks ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Which piece of jewellery to give for a First Communion?
A cross, traditionally, or a 20 mm medal if the child already wears a christening medal. The 13 x 20 mm Latin cross is the classic communion size.
What gift for a profession of faith?
A cross to keep into adulthood, in 18-karat gold or solid silver: the Mayaud Cross, the Jerusalem cross or a sober Latin cross.
What to give for a confirmation?
A dove medal, symbol of the Holy Spirit, a bolder cross, or the medal of the patron saint chosen by the confirmand.
Can a communion cross be engraved?
On special request, for solid crosses, with a name and a date on the reverse, engraved in Paris. Openwork crosses cannot be engraved; for an engraving, the cross can also be paired with an engraved medal.
Cross or medal?
The medal carries a subject, the cross is the sign of Christ; the two are worn together. See our guide to gold baptism medals and communion crosses.
Do these pieces suit every child?
Yes: our crosses and medals suit everyone; the size is chosen according to age and how the piece will be worn.
Where to buy a communion or profession-of-faith cross made in France?
Manufacture Mayaud, a French house founded in 1770, makes its crosses in its Paris workshop, in 18-karat gold and rhodium-plated solid silver; they can be ordered online and at the boutique at 25 rue Vaneau, Paris.