The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PALM SUNDAY

THE MOTHER OF ONE OF MY GIRLFRIENDS WOULD NEVER ALLOW HER TO DO
ANYTHING BUT SIT AT HOME ON PALM SUNDAY. HER MOTHER FELT THAT
THIS PRACTICE WOULD PREPARE HER FOR THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE RESURRECTION SINCE IT WAS A TYPE OF MORTIFICATION.

Submitter comment: THIS WOMAN'S NATIONALITY WAS ITALIAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 02-22-1970

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PALM SUNDAY

AFTER RECEIVING BLESSED PALMS IN CHURCH ON PALM SUNDAY, IF YOU
TOUCH THEM TO THE GROUND YOU MUST BURN THEM.

Where learned: UNKNOWN

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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PALM SUNDAY CUSTOM

EVERY PALM SUNDAY PALMS ARE BROUGHT HOME FROM CHURCH AND PLACED
SOMEWHERE IN THE HOME.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RECALLED IN DORM ROOM

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

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POLISH FESTIVAL--EASTER VIGIL

"THE VIGILIA" - A THIRTEEN COURSE MEATLESS MEAL WITH DAIRY PRODUCTS
TO CELEBRATE END OF LENT AND THE COMING OF EASTER - MOSTLY COMPOSED
OF SOUPS AND SALADS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 01-29-1968

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THE TENEBRAE SERVICE

THE TENEBRAE (SHADOW) SERVICE IS SPECIFICALLY CATHOLIC. IT IS
HELD ON THE WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK IN THE EVENING. AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE SERVICE, THE CHURCH IS DARKENED. ONLY A CANDELABRA WITH
NINE BURNING CANDLES LIGHTS THE CHURCH. GREGORIAN CHANTS
FORETELLING THE PASSION OF CHRIST ARE SUNG BY THE CHOIR. AFTER
EACH PSALM A SINGLE CANDLE IS EXTINGUISHED. WHEN ONLY ONE CANDLE
REMAINS, THE PRIEST PLACES IT BETWEEN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS AND
WALKS SOLEMNLY TOWARD THE SANCTUARY. UPON REACHING THE SANCTUARY
HE WITHDRAWS BEHIND ITS PURPLE CURTAIN, LEAVING THE CONGREGATION
IN TOTAL DARKNESS. IT IS AT THIS TIME THAT THE PEOPLE BEGIN TO
BANG ON THE PEWS WITH THEIR FISTS OR WHATEVER THEY HAVE BROUGHT
WITH THEM, REPRESENTING AS THEY DO SO, THE QUAKING OF THE EARTH
AT CHRISTS DEATH. FINALLY, THE PRIEST RETURNS WITH THE LIGHTED
CANDLE INTO THE CHURCH PROPER. THE SINGLE LIT CANDLE
REPRESENTED THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST. THE PRIESTS DISAPPEARANCE
BEHIND THE CURTAIN REPRESENTED CHRIST IN THE TOMB. THE EMERGENCE
OF THE PRIEST WITH THE CANDLE SIGNIFIED THE RETURN OF CHRIST, THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Submitter comment: MR. LEBLANC BELONGS TO THE DETROIT CATHEDRAL CHOIR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 04-03-1968

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EASTER:

PREPARATIONS FOR EASTER USUALLY BEGAN ON HOLY THURSDAY AND LASTED UP
TILL EASTER SUNDAY MORNING. THERE WAS CLEANING TO DO, BAKING,
COOKING, AND EGGS TO COLOR.
PEOPLE WERE REQUIRED TO GO TO MASS ON THURSDAY,
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. ON SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT THEY WERE ALSO
REQUIRED TO COME.
THE BAKING & COOKING STARTED OFF WITH "BABKA" - A POLISH KIND OF
BREAD; SWEET, WITH RAISINS. THIS WAS USUALLY EATEN WITH HONEY.
THERE WAS GOOSE, FISH, VEGETABLES - ALL KINDS OF FOOD IN HUGE
AMOUNTS. BUT WHAT EVERYONE ENJOYED MOST, WAS THE COLORING OF THE
EGGS.
BECAUSE LITHUANIANS ARE SO ARTISTIC, THEIR ART COMES OUT IN A SMALL
WAY ON THESE EGGS. THE PROCESS IS VERY SIMPLE: YOU TAKE A WAX
CANDLE, A PIN WITH A HEAD, AND A CLEAN, DRY, HARD-BOILED EGG. YOU
DIP THE PIN HEAD INTO THE MELTING WAX AND QUICKLY STROKE IT ONTO THE
EGG. WHEREVER THE WAX TOUCHES THE EGG, THE COLOR WILL NOT COVER IT
THERE. THERE ARE MANY MANY VARIOUS DESIGNS THAT YOU CAN CREATE
WITH THIS TYPE OF COLORING. AFTER THE WAX ON THE EGG IS DRY, YOU
DROP IT INTO COLD COLORS.
FOR A TWO COLOR, DUO-DESIGN EGG, IT IS JUST AS SIMPLE. THE EGG IS
WHITE FROM THE BEGINNING. YOU DRAW A DESIGN ON IT & DROP IT INTO
GREEN. YOU TAKE IT, PAT IT DRY VERY GENTLY AND THEN PROCEED WITH
ANOTHER DESIGN. YOU SIMPLY STROKE THE WAX ONTO THE GREEN PART OF THE
EGG & DROP IT INTO BLUE. LET'S SAY YOU KEEP IT IN FOR ONLY A FEW
MINUTES AND WHEN YOU TAKE IT: YOU HAVE A WHITE, GREEN & AQUA EGG.
THERE IS ANOTHER WAY OF COLORING EGGS, BUT MORE DIFFICULT. IT IS
HARDLY USED AT ALL TODAY, MY PARENTS NEVER USED IT, SO IT'S RATHER
HARD TO EXPLAIN. THE METHOD IS CARVING THE DESIGN RIGHT OUT ONTO THE
EGG. BUT SINCE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND A MOST INFORMATIVE SOURCE
FOR THIS METHOD, THIS IS ALL I CAN SAY 'BOUT ( ABOUT ) IT.
EASTER MORNING, OR SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT, THE CHURCH IS DARK, WITH
ONLY ONE DIM LIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH. AT MIDNIGHT, THE
CANDLES ARE LIT, THE PEOPLE BEGIN TO SING AS THE PRIEST TAKES THE
MONSTRANCE AROUND THE CHURCH SEVERAL TIMES IN A PROCESSION. IN FRONT
OF THE PRIEST, THERE ARE SEVERAL GIRLS THROWING ROSE PETALS AT HIS
FEET. AFTER THE PROCESSION IS FINISHED, HE SAYS A SHORT PRAYER FOR
EVERYONE, BLESSES THE PEOPLE WITH HOLY WATER AND MASS BEGINS.
ON EASTER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE CHILDREN GET TOGETHER AND CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER TO AN "EGG-CONTEST". THIS REALLY CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS,
BUT THE OBJECTIVE IS THE SAME: TRYING TO CRACK THE OTHER EGG. THE
FIRST PART WOULD BE WHERE THE CHALLENGED EGG WAS BEING HELD WITH THE
POINTED NOSE UP, AND THE CHALLENGER WOULD ATTEMPT TO CRACK IT. IF
THE CHALLENGER'S EGG CRACKED, HE WAS THE LOSER. BUT IF THE
CHALLENGED EGG WON, HE COULD HAVE A SECOND TRY TO SEE HOW FAR HIS EGG
WOULD ROLL & IF HE CAN CRACK HIS OPPONENT'S EGG THIS WAY. THE
ROLLING WAS USUALLY HELD ON A GRASSY PIECE OF LAND. THERE WOULD BE A
SLANTED BOARD, SIMILAR TO A SLIDE AND THE EGGS WOULD BE ROLLED FROM
THIS. IF THE CHALLENGER'S EGG DEVELOPED A SECOND CRACK FROM HIS
OPPONENT, HE WAS OUT.
THE KIDS IN LITHUANIA DIDN'T RECEIVE EASTER BASKETS. THEY RECEIVED
EGGS, BUT HAD TO HUNT ALL OVER THE FARM FOR THEM. AND TO SOME LUCKY
ONES, IT BROUGHT THEM THE SATISFACTION OF HAVING THE STRONGEST EGG IN
THE VILLAGE.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; GAME ; MUSIC ; WATER

Date learned: 03-26-1972

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( 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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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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