EASTER BASKETS
It has been traditional at every parish I belonged to, since my birth, to take a basket of goods for the Easter breakfast to be blessed on Holy Saturday morning. Here is a little bit about the contents of the basket. Perhaps it will spark an interest to begin (or continue) this tradition in your family.
Blessing of the Easter Food Baskets on Holy Saturday is a tradition among Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian Central and Eastern Europeans, including Czechs, Croatians, Hungarians, Lithuanians, Poles, Russians, Rusyns, Slovaks, Slovenes, and Ukrainians.
As to what goes into a food basket depends on the region one is from and the family's preferences. Lavish displays are less common and just a sample of many foods with symbolic meaning now line the basket.
Bottles of superior vintage wine go into the basket, and others add green spring vegetables to theirs. While tastes vary by region and family, the basket usually contains smoked meats, sausage, butter, cheese, bread, salt, cake, andpysanky(decorated) eggs. A candle is placed in the basket so it can be lit during the blessing. Some families tie a bow or ribbon around the handle of the basket. (See the accompanying insert in this week’s Bulletin.)
Finally, a richly embroidered cloth basket cover rests atop the food. Since Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians fast during Lent, not one morsel of this blessed food is eaten until after Mass on Easter Sunday and, thus, becomes the traditional Easter breakfast. As custom dictates, each member of the household must eat a sampleof everything in the basket lest misfortune befalls them.
As we enter this final week of our journey to Easter, I pray that each of us will renew our Lenten reserve and prepare to participate in all the activities of the Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday.
PB&J,
Deacon Stan
FAQs
The tradition of blessing the food consumed on Easter — often Easter breakfast — is a Polish/Slavic custom that dates back to Medieval times. The Christian community asked God's blessing on the foods that will break the Great Fast (Lent) from which they have abstained for 40 days.
What is the blessing of Easter baskets? ›
The ritual of assembling Easter baskets with symbolic foods and having a priest perform a rite of blessing with holy water on the day before Easter dates to the early 12th century in Poland. The activity spread to other countries and churches, including Catholic and Orthodox.
How to bless an Easter basket at home? ›
God of glory, the eyes of all turn to you as we celebrate Christ's victory over sin and death. Bless us and this food of our first Easter meal. May we who gather at the Lord's table continue to celebrate the joy of His resurrection and be admitted finally to His heavenly banquet. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Do Roman Catholics bless Easter baskets? ›
Blessing of the Easter Food Baskets on Holy Saturday is a tradition among Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian Central and Eastern Europeans, including Czechs, Croatians, Hungarians, Lithuanians, Poles, Russians, Rusyns, Slovaks, Slovenes, and Ukrainians.
What is the tradition behind Easter baskets? ›
Worshipers brought baskets of food with them to church to be blessed by the priest as part of the celebration of the end of Lent. Many of the other secular traditions connected with Easter — such as candy eggs, the Easter egg hunt, the Easter parade, and sending Easter cards — began in earnest in the Victorian era.
What is the German Easter basket tradition? ›
As I wrote about German Easter traditions last year: While in my childhood Easter egg hunting meant scouring our garden for actual eggs, German children fill their baskets with egg- and bunny-shaped treats from the finest chocolates and marzipan.
What is a short blessing for Easter? ›
Blessed are you, Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth and Father of all your people: we give you glory for your goodness and for your loving care for us. Bless this food [this bread] and grant that all who eat it may be strong in body and grow in your love.
What age do you stop giving Easter baskets? ›
Many responded that of course there's no limit on the tradition. Others thought that by a certain age, kids should outgrow egg hunts and a belief in the Easter bunny, but Easter baskets? The consensus was clear: No one is too old. And experts agree.
Are Easter baskets pagan? ›
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, many pagan customs were absorbed into Christian traditions, including the practice of giving baskets during Easter. Over time, the symbolism of the Easter basket evolved to reflect the Christian themes of rebirth, renewal, and the triumph of life over death.
What are the blessings for the Easter house? ›
May God bless this house from top to bottom, May He bless each lintel, each stone and beam of wood, May He bless the household and the table on which we place food May He bless each bed room in which we seek a peaceful sleep, May He bless the door we open generously to the stranger and the meek - as well as to our ...
The Christian significance of Easter is symbolized in the items used and foods chosen for this special Easter tradition. Baskets are lined with a white cloth and decorated with ribbons, flowers, and greenery to symbolize spring, renewal, and, of course, the Resurrection of Jesus.
What is the prayer for the Easter basket? ›
Lord Jesus Christ, living bread of everlasting life, + bless these cakes and pastries as you once blessed the five loaves in the wilderness. As we eat them may we receive the health we desire for body and soul. We ask this of you, our risen Lord, who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Who blesses Easter baskets? ›
The Blessing of the Easter Baskets is an Eastern European tradition, where, as you can guess from the title, families had the first foods of Easter (usually breakfast) blessed by their priest on Holy Saturday morning.
What is the Catholic word for Easter? ›
Easter, also called Pascha (Aramaic, Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.
What is the blessing for Easter in Poland? ›
Przez Chrystusa Pana naszego, Amen. English Summary: The blessing addresses Christ, our Life and Resurrection. It asks Him to bless the eggs, the sign of new life; asks Him to remember our family, those near as well as guests, especially those who wait in the hope of being with Him.
What is the Polish opłatek tradition? ›
Family members each hold their own opłatek and take turns breaking off pieces of others' crackers while wishing each other good fortunes for the coming year. Someone can wish their loved one health, happiness, money, or even to break their habit of smoking cigarettes.
What is the traditional Polish Easter greeting? ›
POLISH EASTER GREETINGS
Some may say simply: ''Wesołych Świąt'' (Happy Holidays) or ''Wesołych Świąt Wielkanocnych'' (Happy Easter Holidays), while others will say ''Wesołego Alleluja'' (Happy Hallelujah) or even create their own, fun greeting or wishing someone Happy Easter in Polish.
What is the blessing of oplatki? ›
Loving Father, let this fragile wafer remind us of the birth of Jesus as we share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. With the sharing of this wafer, let us offer greetings of forgiveness, love, peace, and the joy of this holy season and for the year ahead. +Amen.
