The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SWIECONKA

EVERY YEAR ON HOLY SATURDAY, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY TAKES AN EASTER BASKET FULL OF FOOD, USUALLY
HAM, BREAD AND BUTTER, MIXED SALT AND PEPPER, HORSE
RADISH, AND SOME COLORED EGGS, TO CHURCH WHERE IT
IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. ON EASTER SUNDAY, THIS
BLESSED FOOD IS SERVED AT THE MAIN MEAL. BEFORE IT IS
SERVED, HOWEVER, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, USUALLY
THE GRANDFATHER, CUTS UP THE BLESSED EGGS AND SERVES
A PIECE TO EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, WHILE WISHING
THAT MEMBER A HAPPY EASTER. EACH MEMBER THEN EXCHANGES
WISHES WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS BY MEANS OF A KISS OR
A HANDSHAKE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT AGAIN HAD MERELY TO FILL IN DETAILS AND
SUPPLY THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE NAME SWIECONKA,
FOR THIS TRADITION IS ALSO VERY MUCH ALIVE IN OUR
FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-08-1964