The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BREAKING THE OPLATEK

THE OPLATEK IS RICH IN POLISH CULTURE AND CUSTOM.
THE OPLATEK IS A VERY THIN WAFER OF BREAD THAT IS BROKEN AND
SHARED BY PEOPLE AT CHRISTMAS.
THE SHARING IS ACCOMPANIED BY THESE WORDS: "I WISH YOU
HEALTH, WEALTH, AND HAPPINESS, AND WHAT YOU WISH FROM GOD ALONE.

Submitter comment: THE BREAKING OF THIS BREAD IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE
IT IS BLESSED, AND THEREFORE IT IS SACRED , ESPECIALLY TO THE POLISH
CULTURE. IT IS A SYMBOL OF LOVE AND GOOD WISHES ESPECIALLY
IN THE FAMILY SETTING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT