posted on June 17, 2009 06:43:52 AM new
It's about 2" across and heavy for the size. Copper I think and has 2 dates - 1862 & 1874.
Looks like a date for confirmation was never completed.
Does anyone know what these would be called? I've tried researching it but no luck so far.
posted on June 17, 2009 11:07:50 PM new
It looks like he was baptised on December 15th 1862 and received his first ( Prem ) Communion on June 4th 1874.
Could this have been a memento give to his parents by the Church to celebrate both events.
posted on June 18, 2009 07:16:18 AM new
fruscia - I guess it could be the same person but he waited much later in his life to get baptized? I think this is French and that would fit.
I was hoping that someone would know if this was some type of religious custom or something in the 1800's.
posted on June 18, 2009 08:52:44 AM new
ebabes - I'm not sure what you mean about waiting later in life to be baptized. It looks like he was baptized in 1862 had his first communion in 1874. And either he never was confirmed or no one followed through and had the medal engraved with the confirmation date.
The space between baptism, communion and confirmation would make sense if it's a Catholic medal. I'm not sure that it is Catholic, but it's a possibility.
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___________ http://www.rubylane.com/shops/ceeceescollectibles
posted on June 18, 2009 09:08:41 AM new
It would be interesting and helpful if you would give the lettering around the rim on both sides of the medallion. I think I see something in French about renouncing Satan which is definitely Catholic.
Jane
posted on June 18, 2009 09:09:40 AM new
The website that fruscia posted stated that George DuBois was born in 1811. If it's the same Dubois he would have been 51 when he was baptized. Isn't that a bit late in life?
posted on June 19, 2009 09:33:40 AM new
The side with the dates reads:
et.je.m'attache.a.Jesus.Christ.pour.toujours.
je.renonce.a.Satan.a.ses.pompes.a.ses.ceures
Side 2:
celuimange.ma.chairet.bolt.mom.sang.a.la.vie.
eternelle.et.je.le.ressusciterai.au.dernier.jour
posted on June 19, 2009 10:29:47 AM new
First, I would describe it as a medal or token and not as a medallion.
Next, it is likely a communion medal which would have been carried in the pocket both for sentimental reasons and also to inform others that the individual was Catholic (or Presbyterian) should the carrier be involved in an accident while traveling.
The Baptism date suggests the carrier was born sometime in 1862 since baptisms are usually performed in the first year. Prem-communion would have been the date of instruction and Communion (if it has been inscribed) would have been the date of their first communion. The medal might have also served as proof to a priest that the individual was allowed to receive communion.
see "/1-1 Bronze circular medal
Front: Standing figure of Christ flanked by two standing angels and two kneeling devotees above panel with incised dedication to Pierre Henri Gelis and text below and around edge" on this page: http://www.dhub.org/object/385249,mai
You can also search ebay for "Communion Medal". Ironically, most of the returned results are medallions or pendants <G>
