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"WEGILIJA"

EVERY YEAR THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT SUPPER, A WAFER IS
BROKEN AND DISTRIBUTED. THE WAFER IS CALLED "OPLATEK." THE
DINNER STARTS AFTER THE FIRST STAR SHINES. YOU HAVE TO HAVE
AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WITH AN EMPTY SEAT.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT STILL HOLDS TO THIS CUSTOM AND GETS THE OPLATEK
FROM POLAND EVERY YEAR FOR THIS CUSTOM.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-05-1972

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ON CHRISTMAS EVE WE ALWAYS ATE OUR BIG MEAL BY
SUNDOWN. ON THE TABLE WE ALWAYS HAD A WAFER. ABOUT THE SIZE OF A
DINNER PLATE. FATHER WOULD BREAK THE WAFER, DIP A PIECE IN
HONEY AND GIVE EACH ONE OF US A PIECE TO EAT, BEFORE OUR MEAL
STARTED. AT THE END OF THE MEAL MOTHER WOULD GIVE EACH OF US A
CLOVE OF GARLIC DIPPED IN HONEY TO EAT. THIS WAS TO KEEP THE
SICKNESS AWAY FOR THE YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 02-04-1972

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WAFER

A WAFER SHOULD BE SHARED WITH EACH FRIEND THAT ATTENDS YOUR HOUSE
DURING CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 00001920'S

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CHRISTMAS FAMILY CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING THE MOTHER COMES TO WAKE HER CHILDREN AND
BRINGS THEM "COMMUNION." THIS IS A LARGE WAFER OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
WHICH THE PRIEST GAVE HER AND SHE BREAKS OFF A PIECE FOR
EACH CHILD.

Submitter comment:

PRACTICED IN PITTSBURG, PA. ABOUT 1910

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; Communion ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; RELIGION ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 01-13-1964

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CHRISTMAS BLESSING

DURING THE CHRISTMAS MEAL, IN POLAND, THE HEAD
OF THE HOUSE TOOK A RECTANGULAR PIECE OF BREAD, OF ABOUT THE
CONSISTENCY OF A HOST, BROKE IT AND GAVE A PIECE TO EACH
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. EACH MEMBER THEN ATE PART OF HIS
PIECE OF BREAD AND GAVE A BLESSING TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY
THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A GOOD YEAR.
THIS BLESSING WAS ALSO A WAY OF FORGIVING ANY WRONG
DONE TO THEM DURING THE PAST YEAR AND BEGINNING ANEW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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POLISH CUSTOM

THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM WHERE THEY HAVE A CHRISTMAS WAFER AND FOR
EASTER A HARD BOILED EGG. ANYONE WHO TAKES A BITE OF YOUR EGG OR
WAFER WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND IT IS PRACTICED IN THEIR HOME
STILL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

Date learned: 02-24-1970

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LEAVEN BREAD

IT IS AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM TO SHARE WAFERS OF
LEAVEN BREAD ON CHRISTMAS DAY TO REPRESENT THE
MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES BY CHRIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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CUSTOMS

POLISH CUSTOM OF BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER ON CHRISTMAS.
THIS BREAD IS A TYPE OF A WAFER.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.
 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 02-24-1970

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - FOOD

ON CHRISTMAS, THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS SERVED AN
UNLEAVENED PIECE OF BREAD WITH THE DINNER. ON IT
IS INSCRIBED A HOLY SCENE, GENERALLY THE NATIVITY.
EACH MEMBER BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND SHARES IT
WITH ANOTHER. THE FINAL PIECE IS THEN CONSUMED
BY THE ORIGINAL PERSON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 01-17-1968

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CHRISTMAS FOOD CUSTOM

BEFORE CHRISTMAS OR EASTER DINNER, A WAFER
IS BROKEN AND PASSED AROUND THE FAMILY TO
INSURE UNITY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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POLISH CUSTOM

BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS MEAL EACH
PARTAKER TAKES A PIECE OF EACH OTHER'S
CHRISTMAS WAFER AND WISHES HIM
GOOD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - BREAKING OF "OPLATEK" (ANGEL BREAD)

BREAKING OF THIS OPLATEK WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
AT CHRISTMAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF WISHING EACH
OTHER GOOD TIDINGS AND BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR.
EACH ONE SAYS TO THE OTHER "WESOLI SWIAT
BOZEGO NARODZENIA I SCZELIWEGO NOWEGO ROKU."

Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS CUSTOMARY IN POLISH FAMILIES ON
CHRISTMAS TO OBTAIN A CHRISTMAS WAFER - OPLATKI (OPWATKEY)
AND AT THE DINNER TABLE IT HAS A PIECE BROKEN OFF BY
EACH PERSON AT THE TABLE. IT IS THEN EATEN AS A WISH FOR
A HOLY AND HAPPY HOLIDAY. IT SYMBOLIZES THE COMMUNION
WAFER IN THE CHURCH AS CHRIST'S BODY.

Where learned: TOLD AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 11-21-1969

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

A WAFER IS BROKEN AND EATEN BY THE ENTIRE
FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS TO SYMBOLIZE SHARING IN
THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 11-18-1967

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IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM ON CHRISTMAS EVE TO SERVE A BIG MEAL.
THE NUMBER OF COURSES SERVED IS ALWAYS AN ODD NUMBER AND THEY MAY
INCLUDE DISHES LIKE MUSHROOMS, CABBAGE, PEROGI, STEWED FRUIT AND
HERRING, BUT NO MEAT OR POULTRY IS EVER SERVED. THE TABLE IS
SET WITH AN EXTRA PLACE SETTING IN CASE AN UNEXPECTED GUEST SHOULD
ARRIVE. A PIECE OF STRAW IS PLACED UNDER THE TABLECLOTH TO SIGNIFY
THE REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST BEING BORN IN A BARN. THE HOST IS BROKEN
AND PASSED ON BY EACH MEMBER SEATED AT THE TABLE AND EACH PERSON
WISHES SOMETHING TO THE NEXT PERSON AS THE HOST IS BEING BROKEN.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS VERY COMMON AMONG POLISH PEOPLE WITH SOME VARIATIONS
AS TO WHAT IS SERVED AND HOW MANY COURSES ARE SERVED. THIS IS
ESPECIALLY STILL CARRIED ON BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME FROM POLAND OR
IF THEIR PARENTS HAD COME FROM POLAND.
OPLATKI

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Menus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: CA00001960

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CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, POLISH PEOPLE HAVE THE CUSTOM OF SHARING
AND EATING THE OPLATKI (WAFER) WHILE WISHING EVERYONE AT THE
DINNER TABLE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY,
USUALLY THE FATHER, TURNS TO HIS WIFE FIRST, EACH BREAKING OFF
A PIECE OF THE OTHER'S OPLATKI, AND WISHING ONE ANOTHER A
MERRY CHRISTMAS. THEN THE PARENTS TURN TO THEIR CHILDREN AND
GUESTS, REPEATING THE PROCEDURE UNTIL EVERYONE AT THE TABLE
HAS SHARED A PIECE OF HIS/HER OPLATKI WITH EVERYONE PRESENT.
THE OPLATKI MAY BE EATEN DURING THE PROCESS, OR AFTER, DURING
THE MEAL.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: CA00001950S

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CHRISTMAS EVE

WAFER SHARING IS CELEBRATED ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THE BREAKING AND
SHARING OF A WAFER WITH ONE ANOTHER SIGNIFIES PEACE ON EARTH AND
GOOD WILL TO MEN.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A POPULAR CUSTOM IN POLAND AND IN POLISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE U.S.A. WE LOVE TO FOLLOW THIS CUSTOM IN OUR HOUSE.
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS CRIES WHEN OFFERING THE WAFER TO THE FAMILY.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 04-02-1979

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FOOD

"OPLATEK", IS A WAFER THE POLISH SHARE AT CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER.
THEY EACH GET A PIECE WHICH THEY BREAK BETWEEN THEMSELVES, WHILE
WISHING EACH OTHER WELL.

Submitter comment: CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER IS CALLED "WIGILIA".

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00001920S ; 02-16-1980

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OPLATEK

OPLATEK (ALSO CALLED 'ANGEL BREAD') IS A RECTANGULAR WAFER
MADE FROM THE SAME INGREDIENTS THAT HOSTS ARE. EACH FAMILY MEMBER
OR GUEST THAT IS SHARING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER RECEIVES A WAFER.
AFTER BREAKING OFF A PIECE OF THEIR OWN OPLATEKS, THE INDIVIDUALS
SHARING THE MEAL PASS THEIR OPLATEKS TO THE PERSON SEATED NEXT TO
THEM. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL EACH PERSON HAS SHARED HIS WAFER OF
OPLATEK WITH EVERY OTHER PERSON PRESENT AT THE DINNER TABLE.

Submitter comment: SHARING OPLATEK IS A SIGN OF MUTUAL LOVE, FORGIVENESS, AND BEST
WISHES.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POLISH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980

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"OPLATEK" IS THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PARTAKING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE BREAKS OFF A PIECE OF THE UNLEAVENED BREAD AND
PASSES AROUND THE LOAF UNTIL EVERYONE HAS BROKEN OFF A PIECE. THIS I
CONSIDERED A SHARING IN THE COMMUNION WITH GOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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