Our neighbors of Polish descent celebrate swieconka
By John T. Ryan
A few years ago a few North Country people of Polish descent asked St. Augustine’s Pastor Father Alan Shnob to conduct a blessing of baskets known as swiecenie. Father Shnob agreed to perform the blessing and the tradition has been continued. Conducted on Holy Saturday, the Eastern European tradition dates to the 15th century or earlier. The white linen that lines the baskets represents the shroud of Christ. The hard-cooked eggs represent new life or Christ rising from the tomb. The other foods also have symbolic meanings. Every family member must have a bite of all the blessed foods after Mass on Easter Sunday. Click here for more photos. Click here for more information on the tradition.
Posted: April 12th, 2012 under General News.