Holy Saturday blessing of baskets is
an Easter tradition
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published April 14, 2006
Wyandotte – In the Easter basket traditional to some cultures, a loaf of bread symbolizes how Jesus is the Bread of Life; horseradish symbolizes Jesus' suffering; and eggs represent His tomb.
And although the particulars of every family's Easter basket are likely a bit different, what unifies them all is blessing the basket of food that represents the breaking of the post-Lent fast. Traditionally an eastern European custom, more and more parishes are celebrating blessings of Easter baskets as a preparation for Easter.
"It certainly is a beautiful (tradition), in terms of connecting the Church to one's home," said Fr. Randall Phillips, pastor of St. Blase Parish in Sterling Heights.
There is a strong Polish population at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Wyandotte, where pastor Fr. Walter Ptak has to have five sessions – every half hour from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Holy Saturday – to bless all the baskets brought in. The bread, eggs and horseradish are common items, but "Everyone's basket is different," he said. "Just like everyone's celebration of Thanksgiving is different."
Geraldine Madison of Trenton, a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wyandotte, displays some of the traditional items in Polish Easter baskets, including horseradish, smoked meats and a loaf of bread. |
Salt is often included because it's a staple of life and to remind people that they are the salt of the Earth; smoked meats are included to represent how certain foods were forbidden under old laws and how Jesus brought a new covenant, Fr. Ptak explained.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel will also have a tomb set up at a side altar where people can pray when they bring in their Easter baskets.
Parishes with strong Polish populations aren't the only ones having services to bless Easter baskets. More and more, it's becoming popular at parishes throughout the diocese; parishes in suburbs of Warren, Royal Oak, Clawson and more all offer such services.
At St. Lawrence Parish, in Utica, pastor Fr. Robert Fisher will bless Easter baskets with incense at 10 a.m. and noon Holy Saturday services. At the end of his parish's services, Easter eggs filled with small candy and a prayer will be handed out to the children.
Eating blessed food for the first meal after Lent makes for a good tradition to help people prepare for Easter, he said, and all the food brought in causes the church to smell wonderful afterward.
The blessing of the Easter baskets is also being passed down through the generations at St. Blase Parish, as many families come to the service. Fr. Phillips will bless food at 11 a.m. and noon Holy Saturday.
Because he's not of Polish heritage, Fr. Phillips hadn't heard of the tradition before becoming a priest, he said. But he's found that some members are insistent their baskets get enough holy water; if they think it didn't get sprinkled or didn't get enough, they'll come up to him after the service for another sprinkle, he said.
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 Traditional Baskets
Food in an Easter basket traditional to eastern European cultures is shared after the family receives Communion on Easter Sunday. In Polish, the baskets are known as swieconka.
Bread: Usually a round loaf marked with a cross, to symbolize Jesus as the bread of life; how bread is one of life's staples; and the Eucharist.
Lamb: Cake, butter or sugar in the shape of a lamb represents how Christ is the Lamb of God, and his victory over death.
Kielbasa, ham, pork: Food forbidden under Old Testament law, these represent Jesus' new covenant.
Eggs: The shell represents Christ's tomb, and the yolk the sun.
Horseradish, vinegar, pepper: These are reminders of Jesus' suffering and how those who follow him must also bear their crosses.
Wine: In Psalms, wine is said to gladden the heart; also for the fullness of joy at the Lord's table.
Salt: People are the salt of the earth, and Jesus' followers preserve all that is good.
Sweets: As children often give up sweets for Lent, this symbolizes the end of fasting and the sweetness of the heavenly kingdom. Rising cakes represent the sunrise and Jesus' rising from the tomb.
Cheese: A ball of cheese symbolizes moderation Christians should have.
Pussy willow: It blooms when spring and sunshine return.
Spring greens: Parsley, boxwood, myrtle or grass represent new life and spring.
Candle: Often shaped like the Paschal candle, it represents how Christ is light of the world.
Second basket: Families often share their bounty with the needy and homeless. |
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