The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Blessing Stick

It is Polish custom for the father of the bride to bless the
marriage on the day of the wedding. Before going to the church,
the bride and groom kneel before the father and mother of the
bride. The father of the bride has a stick made of straw and/or
twigs or small branches which he dips in holy water, and then
blesses the couple; a prayer may accompany the ceremony.

Submitter comment: While my grandmother was telling me the story behind the
blessing stick, my mother asked if she still had the stick (since
all my grandmother's children are married). It was in a drawer.
My Great-grandfather Witkowski (my grandmother's father) had passed
down this blessing stick to my grandfather so that he could bless
the marriages of his children.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Date learned: 00001920S