The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOLY SATURDAY

IS TO HAVE THORNS BLESSED WHICH ARE PUT ON THEIR CHIMNEYS IN ORDER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 10-03-1968

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TO PROTECT THEIR HOUSES FROM LIGHTNING.
DURING THE AFTERNOON TO HAVE IT BLESSED. ANOTHER THING THEY DO ( , )
ON HOLY SATURDAY ( , ) MANY POLISH PEOPLE BRING FOOD TO THEIR CHURCH

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FOOD BLESSED

ON HOLY SATURDAY ( , ) SEVERAL PEOPLE GET TOGETHER AT AN APPOINTED
HOUSE AND EVERYONE BRINGS VARIOUS ITEMS OF FOOD. THEY WOULD INCLUDE
HAM, BREAD, EGGS AND SALT. ALL OF THIS FOOD WOULD BE BLESSED AND
IT WOULD BE THE FIRST FOOD EATEN ON EASTER SUNDAY.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM IN THE UPPER PENINSULA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CALUMET

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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CUSTOM HOLY SATURDAY

THE FAMILIES TAKE A BASKET OF FOOD TO CHURCH IN THE AFTERNOON AND
HAVE IT BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. THIS BASKET ONCE CONTAINED ONLY SMALL
LOAVES OF BREAD, BUT NOW CONTAINS BREAD, BUTTER, SALT, SAUSAGE, AND
COLORED EGGS. THIS IS THE FIRST FOOD EATEN WHEN THE FAMILY RETURNS
FROM MASS ON EASTER SUNDAY.
THIS IS A REMEMBRANCE OF THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES AND THE FISHES; IT
IS ALSO A REQUEST THAT GOD WILL MAKE THE YEAR PLENTIFUL.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 11-27-1967

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HOLY SATURDAY RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

ON HOLY SATURDAY MORNING OF EASTERTIDE, MOST POLISH-AMERICANS HAVE
THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOM OF TAKING FOOD FOR THEIR EASTER DINNER IN A
LARGE BASKET TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR A
BLESSING BY THEIR PRIEST. THE BASKET IS USUALLY OF THE WICKER
TYPE AND CONTAINS SUCH ITEMS AS HAM, HARD BOILED EGGS, BUTTER, SMALL
LOAVES OF BREAD, AND KIELBASA (THE SPECIAL SAUSAGE MADE BY
POLISH-AMERICANS THEMSELVES). THE TOP OF EACH BASKET IS USUALLY
COVERED WITH A SMALL CLOTH OR TOWEL, AND WHEN THE PRIEST COMES DOWN
THE MAIN AISLE OF THE CHURCH, THE PEOPLE REMOVE THESE TOWELS SO THAT
SOME HOLY WATER IS SPRINKLED ON THEIR FOOD. THEN THE TOWEL IS
REPLACED AND TUCKED OVER THE FOOD AFTER THE BLESSING WITH HOLY WATER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 10-03-1969

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EASTER SATURDAY

THE UKRAINIANS BLESS BASKETS CONTAINING: A SPECIAL EASTER BREAD
"PASKA", MEAT, EGGS, CHEESE, BUTTER, SALT, HORSERADISH AND
SPECIALLY PAINTED EASTER EGGS, IN CHURCH ON EASTER SATURDAY, IN A
SPECIAL CEREMONY. A LIGHTED CANDLE IS PUT BY EACH BASKET.
(ORIGINALLY, AND IN SOME CHURCHES EVEN NOW, THE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE
BEFORE SUNRISE EASTER SUNDAY. WEATHER PERMITTING, THIS CEREMONY IS
PERFORMED OUTSIDE.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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PRE-EASTER CUSTOM

SWIECONKA--ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER, A POLISH PERSON WILL TAKE
HIS EASTER BASKET TO CHURCH AND HAVE THE PRIEST BLESS IT TO INSURE
GOOD FORTUNE ON HIMSELF.

Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER SPELLING FOR THIS CUSTOM, WHICH EXTENDS TO ALL SLAVIC
PEOPLES, IS SWIECZONKA. BOTH SPELLINGS APPEAR TO BE ACCEPTABLE.

Where learned: TELEPHONE ; TOLD BY

Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 11-02-1971

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EASTER CUSTOM

A BASKET OF FOOD CONTAINING HARD-BOILED EGGS, KHOBASI, SALT, HOMEMADE
NUT OR/AND POPPYSEED CAKE, AND BREAD (HOMEMADE IF
POSSIBLE) IS TAKEN TO THE CHURCH ON HOLY SATURDAY TO BE BLESSED BY
THE PRIEST WITH HOLY WATER. THIS FOOD CANNOT BE EATEN UNTIL
EASTER SUNDAY MORNING. ALL OF THE FOOD MUST BE EATEN. IT CANNOT BE
THROWN AWAY.

Submitter comment: (1890'S)
INFORMANT'S PARENTS FOLLOWED THIS PRACTICE AND INFORMANT ALSO STILL
FOLLOWS IT.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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POLISH EASTER CUSTOM

AT MASS ON EASTER SATURDAY EACH POLISH FAMILY BRINGS A BASKET OF FOOD
WITH THEM. INSIDE IS EVERYTHING THEY ARE PLANNING TO EAT ON EASTER
SUNDAY, BREAD, KILBASA, HAM, COLORED EGGS, BUTTER, SALT. THE FATHER
OF THE FAMILY BRINGS THIS BASKET TO ( THE ) ALTAR TO BE BLESSED.
AFTER MASS EACH FAMILY COLLECTS THEIR OWN AND LEAVES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 11-22-1971

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EASTER CUSTOM ( HOLY SATURDAY )

ON HOLY SATURDAY, POLISH PEOPLE TAKE A BASKET OF FOOD TO THE CHURCH
TO BE BLESSED. THIS FOOD MUST INCLUDE SAUSAGE, BUTTER, EGGS, GARLIC,
SALT, FRESH BREAD AND CHEESE. THE PRIEST BLESSES THIS FOOD WHICH IS
THEN EATEN COLD FOR EASTER SUNDAY BREAKFAST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 10-15-1971

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EASTER BASKETS

IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR POLISH PEOPLE ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE
EASTER SUNDAY (HOLY SATURDAY) TO TAKE A BASKET OF FOOD TO A
NEARBY CHURCH TO HAVE IT BLESSED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT KNOWS THIS THROUGH HER MOTHER WHO IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED
STATES FROM POLAND. THE PRACTICE IS COMMON NOW TO THE POLISH PEOPLE
OF BOTH COUNTRIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 11-01-1971

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ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER SUNDAY, FOOD, USUALLY SAUSAGES, COLORED
EGGS, BREAD, CAKES, ETC., ARE TAKEN TO THE CHURCH IN GAILY DECORATED
BASKETS TO BE BLESSED. ON EASTER SUNDAY MORNING, AFTER THE
RESURRECTION MASS, THE FOOD WHICH WAS BLESSED THE PREVIOUS DAY IS
EATEN FOR BREAKFAST.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND STILL PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM
ALTHOUGH IT IS ONLY ACKNOWLEDGED IN OLD POLISH-CATHOLIC PARISHES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 11-07-1971

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POLISH EASTER CUSTOM

ON HOLY SATURDAY, MY BROTHERS AND I USUALLY ACCOMPANIED MY MOTHER TO
CHURCH. WE TOOK WITH US FOOD THAT WOULD BE EATEN ON EASTER SUNDAY.
NOT ALL OF THE FOOD WOULD BE TAKEN, OF COURSE, BUT MERELY
REPRESENTATIVE PORTIONS. OUR BASKET WOULD CONTAIN A FEW LINKS OF
KIELBASA, SOME SLICES OF HAM, SEVERAL BOILED EGGS, A PORTION OF A
COFFEE CAKE WHICH MY MOTHER BAKED ONLY AT CHRISTMAS AND EASTER,
( AND ) SOME POTATOES WHICH WERE TO BE USED IN THE POTATO SALAD. I
BELIEVE WE WENT TO CHURCH IN THE AFTERNOON, WHEN LENT WAS
OFFICIALLY ENDED AND THERE THE PRIEST WOULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE
AISLES AND BLESS THE EASTER BASKETS WITH HOLY WATER. SOME PARISHES
IN WHICH WE LIVED DID NOT PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM AND FOR MANY YEARS WE
DID NOT HAVE OUR FOOD BLESSED. NOW, MY PARISH, WHICH IS BY NO MEANS
COMPRISED OF A POLISH ETHNIC GROUP, HAS BEGUN THE PRACTICE. THE
PEOPLE IN OUR SUBURB ARE CLAIMING THAT THIS PARISH IS THE ONLY ONE
TO DO THIS AND ( THAT ) IT IS A ROSEVILLE CUSTOM, NOT RELATED
IN ANY WAY TO POLISH CUSTOMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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BLESSING OF FRUIT

EASTER SATURDAY ( , ) A POLISH FAMILY WOULD FILL A BASKET WITH FOOD,
ENOUGH FOR SUNDAY BREAKFAST, WHICH WOULD CONSIST OF BREAD; SALT;
MEATS, USUALLY HAM AND SAUSAGE; ( AND ) EGGS, HARD BOILED WITH NO
SHELLS. THIS BASKET WOULD BE TAKEN TO A CATHOLIC CHURCH AND BLESSED
BY A PRIEST. SUNDAY MORNING A WHITE BROTH WOULD BE MADE. THE FOOD
THAT WAS BLESSED IS CUT UP, AS MUCH AS EACH INDIVIDUAL WILL EAT, AND
THE WHITE BROTH WOULD BE POURED OVER IT. THIS BLESSED FOOD WAS NEVER
EATEN AFTER TWELVE NOON SUNDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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EASTER CUSTOM

ON HOLY SATURDAY, SLOVAK PEOPLE GATHER AT THEIR CHURCH TO HAVE THEIR
EASTER BASKETS BLESSED BY THE PARISH PRIEST. THE BASKETS CONTAIN
DYED EASTER EGGS, HAM, KIELBASA, BUTTER--USUALLY MOLDED IN THE FORM
OF A LAMB SIGNIFYING CHRIST, HOME-BAKED BREAD, SOME CANDY AND
"HRUTKA", AN EGG AND MILK CONCOCTION FORMED LIKE A HUGE PIECE OF
CHEESE. A PREVIOUSLY BLESSED CANDLE IS LIGHTED AND PROPPED UP IN THE
BASKET. IT IS A QUICK CEREMONY IN WHICH THE PRIEST RECITES
TRADITIONAL PRAYERS AND WALKS AMONG THE BASKETS, SPRINKLING HOLY
WATER, ( AND THEN ) THE PEOPLE RETURN HOME WITH THEIR BLESSED FOOD.
IF ANY OF IT IS NOT EATEN, IT CANNOT BE THROWN TO THE GARBAGE BUT
MUST BE BURNED BECAUSE IT IS SPECIAL--IT HAS BEEN BLESSED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL ; WATER

Date learned: 03-22-1970

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HOLY SATURDAY EVENT

EVERY HOLY SATURDAY WE TAKE A BASKET OF FOOD TO CHURCH TO BE BLESSED.
THIS BLESSED FOOD IS EATEN ON EASTER SUNDAY. THIS FOOD SYMBOLIZES
THE NEW LIFE OF EASTER AND IT IS CONTRASTED TO THE BITTER VINEGAR OUR
LORD RECEIVED ON GOOD FRIDAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED OF THE SYMBOLANCE ( SYMBOLISM ) FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: HOME ; WARREN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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POLISH CUSTOM

AT EASTER, THE MOTHER OF A POLISH FAMILY PREPARES A BASKET WHICH IS
FILLED WITH KIELBASA, EGGS, HAM, SWEETBREAD, SALT, PEPPER,
HORSERADISH AND BUTTER. (THE BUTTER IS USUALLY IN THE SHAPE OF A
PASCHAL LAMB.) SOMEONE FROM THE FAMILY TAKES THE BASKET TO CHURCH ON
HOLY SATURDAY TO HAVE IT BLESSED. THE FAMILY EATS THE FOOD, WHICH
IS COLD, FOR BREAKFAST ON EASTER SUNDAY. POLISH PARISHES CONTINUE
THE CUSTOM OF BLESSING THE PASCHAL FOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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LENTEN CUSTOM

ON HOLY SATURDAY, CZECHOSLOVAKIAN FAMILIES TAKE A PIECE OF BUTTER IN
THE FORM OF A LAMB AND HAVE IT BLESSED AND EAT IT DURING EASTER WEEK.
THIS SYMBOLIZES THE LAMB OF GOD SACRIFICED ON GOOD FRIDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 03-30-1968

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POLISH RELIGIOUS CUSTOM SWIECZONKA--BLESSING OF FOOD

FOOD, CONSISTING OF FRESH SAUSAGE, HAM, SALT, PEPPER, COOKED EGGS,
CAKES, FANCY SWEETBREADS AND BREAD, ARE ( IS ) TAKEN TO CHURCH HOLY
SATURDAY MORNING AND THE PRIEST BLESSES EACH BASKET. PURPOSE OF THIS
CEREMONY IS TO HAVE THIS BLESSED FOOD EASTER SUNDAY TO BEGIN THE
PASCHAL SEASON WITH THE NEW RISEN CHRIST.

Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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EASTER CUSTOMS

BASKETS FULL OF CANDY ARE PREPARE(D) THE DAY BEFORE EASTER AND ARE
TAKEN TO THE CHURCH TO BE BLESSED. A LITTLE PIECE OF EVERYTHING MUST
BE EATEN THAT DAY. ALSO, A LITTLE HORSERADISH MUST BE EATEN ON
EASTER.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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