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This cabinet card portrait shows two brothers, John and Joseph Ruick, participting in a religious ceremomy. The boys look to be about 8-13 years old. The clothing and mount style suggests that the portrait was taken in the 1910s, probably the early-10s. They are dressed identically in double-breasted knickers suit. The only difference we see is the youngest boy's sash and the older boy's medal. They are ethnic Germans, although their first names suggest the family has been in America for some time. There names as best we can make out the writing. We are not entirely sure just what is happening here. We think the younger boy is celebrating his First Communion. That is probably what the sash signifies, although we do not see that all that commonly. The tall candel is commonly associated with First Communion in Germany. We see that a lot in German First Communion portraits. His older brother may be celebrating his Confirmation, or perhaps he is just participating in his brother's celebration. Notice that he does not have a candel of of his own, but is holding a prayer book and rosary--also First Communion accesories. Confirmation is more associated with Protestants in Germany, but as it was so important, the Catholics began give more attention to it and there were some similarities beween Luthern (the main German Protestant denomination) and Catholic ritual.
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