Sharing Christmas wafers remains cherished custom
The customs bridge the generations and unite families.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
WARREN -- The Rev. John A. Rencewicz II carries on a tradition that is some 1,000 years old.
The pastor of Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, 327 Belmont St. N.W., said the custom of oplatki (Christmas wafers) is tied to church history and usage. "It's bread with no yeast ... similar to a communion host. It's made from flour and water," Father Rencewicz said.
The priest said he recalled when he was a boy helping his father make communion hosts. The process is similar to the Christmas wafers. Batter would be poured onto long-handled irons, coated in beeswax so they wouldn't stick, that were a nine-inch circular shape. Father Rencewicz explained the irons would be placed over gas burners, seared and baked.
"As kids, we would eat the edges, the extra batter that would cook," Father Rencewicz recalled the memory.
The Christmas wafers also were obtained directly from Poland.
Now, Father Rencewicz said he orders them from the Christmas Wafer Co., Lewistown, N.Y. The company offers white, pink and yellow wafers in two sizes, 5-by-7 inches and 2-by-3 inches. White is the most popular choice. Christmas images, such as the Nativity scene or images of the Wise Men, are usually imprinted on wafers.
Tradition continues
The Christmas wafer tradition continues today among Polish, Lithuanian, Czech and Slovak people and plays an important role in the Christmas Eve meal, Father Rencewicz said.
The youngest child takes the role of a messenger of sorts, and alerts the family when the first star of the night sky is visible. Wigilia is the word that describes this Christmas Eve vigil and gwiazdka is the Polish word for star.
After the star is seen, the meal, which is meatless, may begin. The meal is meatless out of respect for the animals who were "the first witnesses to the birth of Christ child," Father Rencewicz said. It is another custom to share pink oplatki wafers with animals.
An odd number of items, from seven to 11, are served. Among foods that might be on the menu are a clear beet broth with mushroom dumplings; marinated herring; other fish dishes including carp, pike, perch or walleye; sauerkraut stewed with mushrooms or peas; pierogi with potato or sauerkraut filling; golabki (cabbage rolls filled with rice or barley and mushrooms); noodles with poppy seed and raisins; almond soup, stewed prunes; dried fruit; wheat and honey pudding; and rice and apple casserole. Traditional cakes are poppyseed rolls, fruitcakes and honey-spice cakes. And, nuts, raisins, dates and figs also are served.
Prayer
The husband and head of the household, Father Rencewicz explained, would offer a prayer asking for "God's choicest blessings of the new year" then the custom of sharing the Christmas wafer would begin.
First, he would share a piece of the wafer with his wife, who in turn would share it with another family member. Each person at the table would get a piece of wafer then share it with another family member or guest.
"This is an emotional part of the Christmas Eve meal, and kisses and hugs are shared. It brings the generations together," Father Rencewicz said. "It is a tie that binds families.
"This angelic bread has religious overtones like Communion," Father Rencewicz said. "It's sharing God's love ... Christ was sharing his very self with us. ... We share the Eucharist and experience that."
The Christmas wafers, which now come packaged in cellophane, are easily tucked into holiday greeting cards and sent to family and friends who won't be able to attend the yule gathering.
"Even those who aren't at the meal to share the wafer at the table can break bread with them," Father Rencewicz said of this practice.
Other customs
For this special Christmas Eve meal, other protocols also must be observed. A white linen tablecloth is used. It is symbolic of the linen in which the crucified Christ was buried.
Hay is placed under the table to symbolize a welcoming place for the Christ child. And a bit of straw is placed in the four corners of the table to symbolize four corners of the world.
"An odd number of dishes are served and one place at the table is left empty for a potential visitor," Father Rencewicz said. A visitor or stranger visiting the home might be Christ in disguise according to custom.
Father Rencewicz said the phrase, "A guest in the home is Christ in the home," is another Polish adage.
After the meal, it's another custom to sing koledy (Christmas carols) then attend pasterka or shepherd's midnight Mass.
XFor more information on Polish customs, visit the Web site www.polishcenterofcleveland.org for the Polish American Cultural Center in Cleveland.