![]() ![]() Francis University in Loretto, Pa., gathers with members of Pax Christi USA before joining an anti-war rally on the National Mall in Washington Jan. sessions.įather Scherer, who is not of Polish descent, said he was introduced to the tradition of Easter food blessing when he became a Franciscan and noted that parishioners of various ethnic backgrounds participate in the blessing at Our Lady of the Cross, parish formed when the city’s former Irish parish, Holy Cross, merged with its former Polish parish, Mater Dolorosa, in 2011.įather Scherer said he is especially inspired by the Polish American parishioners who are dedicated to the special Easter blessing.Tom Cox, 26, from St. Conventual Franciscan Father Albert Scherer, pastor of Our Lady of the Cross, estimates that a total of more than 100 people participate in the blessing of food during the 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. Stanislaus Basilica and Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke, the blessing of Easter food is done in three separate time slots. ![]() The liturgy includes blessings for each type of food and concludes with the priest’s blessing of the worshippers.Īt local parishes, including St. Baskets are lined up on tables or at the altar or carried by parishioners to be blessed by the priest. The blessing of the Easter food is done during a brief liturgy in a church or parish hall. “The food becomes a work of art, surrounded by beauty, surrounded by art,” said Father Milunski. The baskets also sometimes contain a bottle of holy water and beautiful embroidered linens, symbolic of Christ’s burial shroud, envelop all of the items. ![]() Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica Parish in Chicopee, begins the liturgy of the Blessing of Food at Easter, held in the St. In the Polish tradition, the food in the baskets includes colored and decorated eggs, butter or bread molded into the shape of a lamb, Easter bread, kielbasa (sausage), candy, fruits, pastries, and wine, all of which are symbolic of Christ’s Resurrection and God’s generosity.īaskets can also include dried flowers or other greenery, symbolic of spring and new life and white candles, signifying Christ as the light of the world.Ĭonventual Franciscan Father Brad Milunski, pastor of St. It really expresses the joy of getting together and a sense of hospitality and trying to bring the family together.” He noted the efforts parishioners put into decorating their baskets of Easter food and drink, saying, “It’s not just the food itself, it’s the decorations surrounding it. ![]() “The tradition is about the thanksgiving (for) and blessings of God’s abundance after the fasting and penitence of Lent,” he said. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica Parish in Chicopee, he is inspired by the parishioners who carry on this tradition that, he says, is about much more than food. SPRINGFIELD – Conventual Franciscan Father Brad Milunski remembers participating in the Eastern European Catholic tradition of Blessing of Food at Easter at his home parish, St. May we eat them in joyful celebration of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. When we break them, we see a sign of your Son rising to new life from the tomb. (iObserve photo/Fred LeBlanc)įather in heaven, let your blessing come upon these eggs. Conventual Franciscan Father Albert Scherer, pastor of Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke, blesses parishioners’ Easter baskets during the annual blessing of East food on Holy Saturday, April 16. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |