The Blessing of food on Holy Saturday at Easter in Poland is one of the central and most meaningful aspects of the Polish Easter tradition. Specially prepared Baskets of crisp linens, ribbons and sprigs of boxwood are filled with Easter Bread: “The Bread of Life”, a round rye loaf topped with a cross, symbolic of Jesus; Butter often shaped in the form of a Lamb, reminding us of the goodness of Christ that we should have towards all men; Eggs, indicate new life and Christ’s Resurrection from the Tomb, Ham & Bacon symbolic of abundance and God’s mercy and generosity; Salt representing “You are the salt of the earth” and Holy Water, used to bless the home, animals, fields and used in religious rituals throughout the year. This year our Church ( St Patrick’s) was filled with families and aromas of beautiful food presented for Blessing.
