The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BLESSED FOOD

ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THE DAY BEFORE
EASTER, MY MOTHER WOULD PREPARE A BASKET
OF FOOD THAT WE WOULD TAKE TO CHURCH TO
HAVE BLESSED. THERE WERE CERTAIN ITEMS
THAT WERE ALWAYS INCLUDED IN THE BASKET:
SEVERAL SLICES OF THE EASTER HAM (HOT
OUT OF THE OVEN), A SMALL, ROUND LOAF
OF PUMPERNICKEL BREAD (MADE SPECIAL
FOR THE BASKET), A RING OF FRESH KIELBASA
(FRESH, NOT SMOKED), SIX HARD BOILED EGGS
(WITH THE SHELLS REMOVED), BUTTER (MADE IN
THE FORM OF A LAMB) AND SALT AND PEPPER
(MIXED TOGETHER IN A SPECIAL SALT SHAKER
THAT WAS ONLY USED FOR THIS OCCASION--
N-E-V-E-R AT ANY OTHER TIME DURING THE YEAR.
THE WICKER BASKET AND SPECIAL COVERING TOWEL
(THAT MY MOTHER HAD EMBROIDERED MANY YEARS
BEFORE WERE USED TO CARRY THE FOOD TO CHURCH.
THIS FOOD WAS EATEN ON EASTER MORNING WHEN WE
RETURNED HOME FROM CHURCH (ALONG WITH MORE FOOD
SINCE THE BLESSED FOOD WAS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT
FOR OUR FAMILY). EVERY BIT OF THE BLESSED FOOD
HAD TO BE EATEN AT THE BREAKFAST--NOT A CRUMB
COULD BE THROWN AWAY.

Submitter comment: GOING INTO OUR POLISH CHURCH ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON
WAS WONDERFUL. THE SMELL OF HAM AND KIELBASA WOULD
FILL THE CHURCH. THE PEOPLE WOULD SET THEIR
BASKETS IN THE AISLE AT THE END OF THEIR PEW AND
THE PRIEST WOULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE AISLE
SPRINKLING HOLY WATER. EVERYONE WOULD BE HUNGRY
FOR THE FOOD, BUT WE COULD NOT EAT MEAT ON THAT
DAY!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1950