The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AGNUS DEI

AFTER THE EASTER LAMB CAKE IS MADE AND DECORATED, IT IS TAKEN TO THE
CHURCH ON EASTER MORNING TO BE BLESSED BY THE PRIEST FOLLOWING THE
MASS. THIS LAMB CAKE, BEARING A TINY SILK BANNER WITH A CROSS ON
IT, REPRESENTS CHRIST, THE VICTORIOUS LAMB OF GOD.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT IS MY GRANDMOTHER. THIS IS A VERY POPULAR POLISH CUSTOM, WHICH IS EVEN OBSERVED IN MANY POLISH PARISHES IN THIS COUNTRY. MY GRANDMOTHER HAS KNOWN THIS CUSTOM ALL HER LIFE.

Data entry tech comment:

AGNUS DEI MEANS "THE LAMB OF GOD" WHEN TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Grandmother

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 04-08-1965