Blessing of baskets ushers in Easter season
Catholic Spirit, March 2007, In Our World
By Mary P. Walker
Senior Correspondent
In central and eastern Europe, there are many ethnic customs for the observance of Lent and celebration of Easter. One of the most popular is the blessing of the Easter food. On either Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday, families bring decorated baskets of specially chosen and prepared food to church. The priest or deacon blesses this food, which will be eaten to mark the end of the penances of Lent and the celebration of the Resurrection.
For many years, St. Mary Catholic Center at Texas A&M University and St. Louis Parish in Austin have observed this tradition. Deacon Bill Scott of St. Mary’s explains, “The university brings people together from many parts of the world. Whether they have just arrived in Texas or have been here for years, they want to honor their heritage and remember their ancestors by having their baskets of food blessed.”
This blessing also recognizes that food itself has an important place in the Resurrection story. Proving that he was truly risen and not a ghost, in Luke’s Gospel Jesus asked for something to eat. He also ate with the disciples on other occasions; and in Acts St. Peter testified that they had eaten with the risen Lord.
In both parishes, the blessings began as a grass roots effort, with parishioners introducing a cherished tradition to their parish community. Forty years ago, Joan and Joe Yura moved to Austin from Pennsylvania. Joe’s family was originally from Slovakia, and Joan’s family is German. They grew up observing the Lenten and Easter customs of their heritages, and when they realized St. Louis Parish did not bless food on Holy Saturday, they approached then pastor, Msgr. Edward Matocha.
“When we asked him, he said, ‘Sure!’ We brought our food to the rectory, and he blessed it,” said Joan. Over time, others wanted to participate in the blessing, particularly those of Polish descent. The blessing also attracts Catholics from other parishes.
Although many ethnic groups celebrate the blessing, each culture has made its own adaptations regarding the foods, prayers and ways to decorate the basket.
In earlier times, Lenten fasts were strictly observed and lasted throughout the season. Also, the consumption of meat and dairy products were restricted.Because the blessing marks the end of the Lenten penances, ham, veal, sausage, butter, eggs and cheese are often included in the baskets.
Each food has a symbolic meaning. The meat is a sign of abundance and the symbol of the end of Lenten penance. The hardboiled eggs symbolize the tomb and new life. Butter and cake in the shape of a lamb remind us that Jesus is the Lamb of God, sacrificed for humanity’s sins. Salt may also be included because it is necessary to sustain life and a reminder to be the “salt of the earth.” Slovaks make a horseradish and beet mixture to symbolize the bitter passion of Jesus. Candles in the basket acknowledge that Christ is the light of the world.
A special bread, which varies by ethnic group and symbolizes Christ as the bread of life, is usually included in the baskets. Pascha bread is formed in a round loaf from white flour, eggs, raisins and milk. Margit Garay, who is Hungarian, explained that her mother used pure white dough to make braided bread with a soft consistency. For today’s Catholics, who may lack the knowledge or time to make bread, some ethnic breads can be found in grocery store bakeries.
Bogumilia Styblinski of St. Mary explained that in Poland, where the culture is strongly influenced by Catholicism, Lent is not only a time of self-denial regarding food, but a time of somber reflection. Easter is a mood-changing feast that is joyously anticipated and enthusiastically celebrated.
“On Holy Saturday, the churches open early, around 7 a.m. There are tables covered with fine white cloths. All day long, people bring their baskets and place them on the tables. Every half hour, the priest comes and blesses the food,” said Styblinski. For her family, the traditional foods were hardboiled eggs, bread and salt.
The family ate the blessed food for breakfast after the early morning Easter Mass. An egg and bread were cut into pieces, with one piece for each per person. Before eating, the family offered wishes for each other that relate to the resurrection. For example, parents may wish that their children would grow in faith and goodness.
The Yuras’ basket typically contains food for a full meal: ham, bread, eggs, butter molded into the shape of a cross, a candle and hardboiled eggs decorated with names of children and grandchildren. “When we eat the food, it is a holy time and a religious tradition,” said Joan.