The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

( HOLY WEEK CUSTOMS )

SOME OF THE OLD WORLD CUSTOMS THAT ARE CELEBRATED BY
POLISH-AMERICANS, AND ARE A BIG PART OF OUR HERITAGE STEM FROM
OUR CATHOLIC FAITH. THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS EASTER.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF HOLY THURSDAY SERVICES OUR ALTAR IS
STRIPPED OF ITS VESTMENTS AND IS LEFT BARE. THE TABERNACLE
IS LEFT OPEN AND THE SACREMENT REMOVED. AT THE SIDE ALTAR THE
SEPULCHRE IS PREPARED. AT 3:00 ON GOOD FRIDAY THE FIGURE OF
CHRIST WILL BE LYING IN THE TOMB. ON GOOD FRIDAY ( , )
BEGINNING AT 12:00 NOON ( , ) THE CHURCH IS FILLED TO CAPACITY
WITH WORSHIPPERS COMMENORATING ( COMMEMORATING ) CHRIST'S
CRUCIFIXION. THE CROSS IS CARRIED THROUGH THE AISLES COVERING
CHRIST'S FOOTSTEPS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY. AT 3:00, THE PRIEST
LEADS THE PROCESSION TO THE SEPULCHRE AND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST IS
UNCOVERED.
THE MORNING OF HOLY SATURDAY FINDS THE PEOPLE COMING TO THE CHURCH
TO RECEIVE HOLY WATER AND THORNS. IN POLISH HOMES YOU WILL FIND
A RECEPTACLE FOR HOLY WATER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE BEDROOMS FROM
WHICH THE MOTHER BLESSES HER FAMILY WHILE THEY ARE ASLEEP AT
NIGHT. A VISIT IS PAID TO THE SEPULCHRE WHICH IS GUARDED BY
SOLDIERS. THE PARISHIONERS BRING EASTER LILIES TO ADORN CHRIST'S
TOMB. AT 1:00 WE BRING FOOD BASKETS TO THE CHURCH TO BE BLESSED,
WHICH WILL BE EATEN FOR BREAKFAST ON EASTER. THE FOOD CONSISTS OF
POLISH SAUSAGE (KIELBASA) ( , ) BUTTER SHAPED IN THE FORM OF A
LAMB WITH A RED RIBBON AROUND ITS NECK, SIGNIFYING CHRIST,
THE SLAIN LAMB. A SWEET BREAD MADE OF EGG AND SWEET RAISINS IS
BRAIDED INTO A LOAF, HORSERADISH AND COLORED EASTER ( EGGS ) ARE
ALSO IN THE BASKET.
EASTER MORNING AT 5:00 A.M. THE SUNRISE SERVICES BEGIN.
CHILDREN DRESSED IN WHITE ( , ) WEARING BLUE CAPES ( , ) COME IN
PROCESSION CARRYING FLOWERS. THEY ARE MET AT THE ALTAR BY THE
PRIEST AND WITH A TRUMPET FANFARE PROCEED TO THE TOMB. THERE
THEY FIND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST HAS BEEN REMOVED AND WHERE HE LAID
FLOWERS EN-MASSE. ARTIFICIAL SUNRAYS PROFUSE FROM THE TOMB, AND
THE SOLDIERS ARE GONE. CHRIST IS RISEN.
IN THE OLD COUNTRY EASTER MONDAY FINDS THE BOYS CHASING THEIR
GIRLS WITH LONG SWITCHES TO SWITCH THEIR LEGS. THEY IN TURN,
ARE CHASING THE BOYS WITH BUCKETS OF WATER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; MUSIC ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL ; WATER

Date learned: 11-10-1971

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TRADITIONAL POLISH CELEBRATION OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

ON HOLY THURSDAY THE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS WASH THE FEET OF 12
POOR PEOPLE IN MEMORY OF THE LAST SUPPER.
ON GOOD FRIDAY THERE IS A SPECIAL MASS WITH PRAYERS FOR ALL.
THE HOLY SACRAMENT IS PUT INTO A DARK CELL, AS CHRIST WAS, TO BE
ADORED CONSTANTLY. THERE IS A SPECIAL TOMB PUT UP AT A SIDE ALTAR
WHICH IS DECORATED WITH FLOWERS AND OFTEN DOVES. HERE THE PEOPLE
COME TO VISIT AND PRAY BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.
ON HOLY SATURDAY WATER AND THORNS ARE BLESSED IN THE MORNING AT
CHURCH. IN THE AFTERNOON, A BASKET OF FOOD IS TAKEN TO THE CHURCH TO
BE BLESSED. THE BASKET TRADITIONALLY CONTAINS BREAD, SALT, PEPPER,
EASTER EGGS (BOILED), KIELBASA (SAUSAGE), AND BUTTER IN THE FORM OF
A LAMB. ALSO, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO VISIT AS MANY CHURCHES AS POSSIBLE
THAT DAY.
AT DAWN OF EASTER SUNDAY, THE RESURRECTION MASS IS HELD.
AFTER THIS MASS, THE FAMILY COMES HOME TO EASTER BREAKFAST
COMPOSED OF THE EASTER BASKET FOOD. AS A CUSTOMARY PRACTICE, THE
MEAL IS STARTED BY THE OLDEST MEMBER, WHO TAKES A BLESSED EGG, WHICH
HAS BEEN QUARTERED, AND SHARES IT WITH EACH MEMBER, WISHING HIM
HAPPINESS AND HEALTH. THE EGG IS REPRESENTATIVE OF LIFE. THEN
EVERYONE SITS DOWN TO EAT THE EASTER MEAL.
MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM PRACTICE TO THIS DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Date learned: 10-27-1967

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MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY ( : ) HOLY WEEK CUSTOMS

IN GERMANY, BEGINNING ON HOLY THURSDAY AND LASTING UP TO EASTER
SUNDAY THERE IS NO DANCING, PARTIES OR POPULAR MUSIC PERMITTED.
EVEN ON THE RADIO FOR THIS THREE DAY PERIOD THE ONLY TYPE OF MUSIC
PERMITTED ARE SELECTIONS BY MOZART, BACH ( , ) ETC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): MUSIC

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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EASTER

HER GRANDMOTHER NEVER EATS FROM HOLY THURSDAY TO EASTER SUNDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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HOLY WEEK

ON HOLY THURSDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY PEOPLE HAVE ELABORATE
PROCESSIONS THROUGH THE STREETS OF MALTA VISITING SEVEN DIFFERENT
CHURCHES. CHILDREN CARRY SYMBOLS OF THE PASSION--E.G. ( , ) THE
NAILS, ROBE, DICE.

Data entry tech comment: 100% OF THE POPULATION OF MALTA IS ROMAN CATHOLIC.
THIS IS DONE TO SYMBOLIZE THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE

Date learned: 03-08-1970

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HOLY THURSDAY

ON HOLY THURSDAY, THE FLOWERS ON THE SIDE ALTAR OF THE CATHOLUC
CHURCH WERE ARRANGED IN AN ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL MANNER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 10-12-1970

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HOLY WEEK CUSTOM

ON HOLY THURSDAY NIGHT YOU SHOULD VISIT SEVEN CHURCHES TO GAIN
SPECIAL BLESSINGS AND INDULGENCES.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

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HOLY THURSDAY

MY MOTHER AND HER FAMILY WOULD VISIT AS MANY CHURCHES AS
POSSIBLE ON HOLY THURSDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 00001930S

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HOLY THURSDAY

A CANDLE BLESSED IN THE CHURCH ON HOLY THURSDAY HAS A SPECIAL
MEANING FOR UKRAINIANS: IT IS BROUGHT OUT IN TIME OF GRAVE
DANGER AND PLACED LIGHTED BEFORE THE ICONS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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HOLY THURSDAY

EASTER ACTUALLY BEGINS ON HOLY THURSDAY (JULIAN CALENDER) WITH
EVENING SERVICES AT WHICH THE GOSPEL FOR EACH OF THE APOSTLES IS
SAID. ONE LARGE CANDLE IS LIT AND RE_LIT UNTIL EASTER SUNDAY.
AFTER THAT THE CANDLE IS THEN PRESERVED FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR IN A BOX.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RELATED THAT DETROIT'S ADVENT OF THE HOLY GHOST
ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH HAS AN ENTIRE ROOM FILLED WITH CANDLES.
NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY THE ORTHODOX CONSIDER THE CANDLE A
SACRED OBJECT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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A RELIGIOUS TRADITION

ON HOLY THURSDAY MY MOTHER WOULD TAKE US KIDS AND WE WOULD WALK
A PILGRIMAGE OF SEVEN CHURCHES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. AT EACH CHURCH
WE WOULD STOP AND PRAY. THIS WAS DONE TO COMMEMORATE THE SEVEN
LAST WORDS OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS.

Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD IN HER MOTHERS HOME

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

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HOLY THURSDAY

VISITING NINE CHURCHES ON HOLY THURSDAY, LIKE A NOVENA. IF A
WOMAN WAS BARREN, IN DOING SO THEY THOUGHT SHE WOULD BECOME PREGNANT.

Submitter comment: HER MOTHER

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 04-15-1967

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RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

ON HOLY THURSDAY EVENING, IT IS A CUSTOM IN MY PARENTS HOME TO
VISIT CHURCHES IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CITY IN ORDER TO PRAY.
THE CHURCHES ARE PICKED ACCORDING TO DIFFERING TRADITIONAL AND
NATIONALITY BACKGROUNDS. EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER, IT
HAS BEEN MY FATHER WHO MOST ENCOURAGED THIS ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 03-14-1970

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HOLY THURSDAY

IN THE UKRAINE, ON HOLY THURSDAY, THERE IS A SPECIAL CHURCH
SERVICE AT NIGHT, DURING WHICH THE TWELVE GOSPELS ARE READ, AND THE
PEOPLE BOW DOWN AND TOUCH THE GROUND WITH THEIR FOREHEADS 365 TIMES.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 12-03-1967

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HOLY THURSDAY

HOLY THURSDAY IS COMMEMORATED BY A TRADITIONAL DINNER. THERE
IS SERVED CODFISH SOUP WITH HOMEMADE WHITE BREAD. THIS IS THE
ONLY MEAL ALLOWED DURING THE DAY. ALSO, IT IS TRADITIONAL THAT
THE FATHER OF THE FAMILY AND THE YOUNGEST CHILD BEGIN GRACE BEFORE
THE MEAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 10-15-1969

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO WASH CLOTHES ON HOLY THURSDAY. THIS IS A ROMANIAN
BELIEF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS ; POPP RESIDENCE

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 10-06-1969

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HOLY THURSDAY RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

INFORMANT STATED THAT EVERY HOLY THURSDAY THE MOTHER SUPERIOR
OF THEIR COMMUNITY WOULD KISS THE FEET OF THE OTHER SISTERS IN THE
HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE APOSTLES KISSING THE
FEET OF CHRIST AT THE LAST SUPPER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITA CONVENT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 03-01-1970

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A RELIGIOUS TRADITION

"ON GOOD FRIDAY AT HOME WE WERE ALLOWED TO EAT ONLY
APPLES AND SODA CRACKERS FROM MIDNIGHT HOLY THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT
GOOD FRIDAY, AND WE COULD ONLY DRINK WATER."

Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD AT HOME.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING

Date learned: 03-10-1967

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ON HOLY SATURDAY FOOD IS BROUGHT TO BE BLESSED AT THE CHURCHES
IN GERMANY. THE FARMERS HAVE A CUSTOM OF USING SOME OF THE BLESSED
PALM WHICH THEY GOT FROM THE CHURCH ON PALM SUNDAY ( , ) ALONG WITH
SOME SHELLS OF THE BLESSED EGGS FROM THE BLESSING OF THE FOOD, AND
PLACE IT IN THE FOUR CORNERS OF THEIR CROP FIELDS AND PRAY THE ROSARY
AND SPRINKLE HOLY WATER AS THEY PRAY FOR A GOOD CROP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): METONYMY: FOUR CORNERS ; SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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EASTER FOOD

UKRAINIANS PLACE CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS, BUBBLE GUM, CATSUP, POTATO
CHIPS, ETC. IN THEIR EASTER BASKETS TO REPRESENT MODERN DAY
SACRIFICES DURING LENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE ; SYMBOL

Date learned: 03-17-1970

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