Swięconka (Blessing of Easter Basket) – April 15 at 10 am

Posted on 30-03-2017 , by: Art Gmurowski , in , 0 Comments

Blessing of food derives from old traditions and religious character of Polish people. We do believe the food we enjoy is a great gift from God and it needs to be blessed as our appreciation for all His grace. Preparation of Easter food and items placed in the Blessed Basket is done at home with all family involved, traditionally mother takes care of the baked goods, father helps with meat preparation and children make Pisanki eggs. Most of the food is prepared on Holy Saturday morning and then a sample of each food item is placed in the wicker basket lined with white linen or lace. The basket is then decorated with spring greens and flowers and the food is covered with a special Easter Basket Doily that displays Easter symbols.

WHEN:  Saturday, April 15  at 10 am

WHERE: University Catholic Center, 2010 University Ave., Austin, Tx., 78705

Blessing of food takes place in church on Holy Saturday, the baskets are set up around the altar, the food is uncovered and priest blesses it with Holy Water while making prayers. Three groups of food are being mentioned – eggs and dairy, breads and pastries, meat and roasts. Items in the basket have symbolic meaning: eggs – symbolize life and Christ’s “Resurrection”, bread – symbolic of “Jesus”, lamb – represents Christ, salt – represents purification, horseradish – symbolic of the bitter sacrifice of Christ, ham – symbolic of great joy and abundance.

List of items to place in Swięconka Basket:

– Pisanki eggs – Butter Lamb – Ham – Kielbasa or Sausage – Bread – Pastries or cakes – Horseradish – Salt – Easter Palm

Prayer for the Blessing of the Breads and Holiday Baked Goods:
The blessing addresses the Bread of Life who died and rose for the life of the world, invoking Him to bless the bread and holiday baked goods in memory of the Bread which is offered at the Priest’s hands which becomes His Body.

Prayer for the Blessing of the Meats and Sausages

The blessing addresses the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. The Lamb is invoked and asked to bless the meats and sausages, which will become the holiday meal in memory of the Paschal Lamb, as He gave to the Apostles at the Last Supper.

Prayer for the Blessing of the Eggs and Pisanki

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.We wait to accompany Him to His Father’s house, where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

The priest then sprinkles the individual baskets with Holy Water. More traditional Polish churches uses a straw brush for dispersing the Water; others use the more modern metal Holy Water sprinkling wand. In some parishes, the baskets are lined up on long tables; in others, parishioners process to the front of the alter carrying their baskets, as if in a Communion line.

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