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One of the most cherished customs that has endured within Polish heritage in the United States is the Christmas Eve vigil celebration known as “Wigilia” (pronounced Vee-geel-ya). The name comes from the latin word vigilare, meaning “to watch.” It is the special night to wait for the coming of the Infant Jesus.
Although specific traditions vary from family to family Wigilia is considered a sacred night of unity among all family members and includes specific foods and unique customs steeped in rich symbol.
Preparations for Wigilia meal include setting the dinner table with white cloth under which is placed hay. These symbolize the manager and Mary’s veil used to swaddle the Baby Jesus. An extra is always set in memory of ancestors or to accommodate an “unexpected guest” – perhaps even the infant Jesus.
The first star in the sky commemorates the birth of Christ and represents the star of Bethlehem. After the first star is seen, the Christmas tree is lighted and the dinner customs commence.
Dinner is preceded by a prayer and the sharing of the Christmas wafer, the Oplatek (pronounced oh-pwah-tek). This is an unleavened wheat wafer much like the hosts used at mass. It is passed from the head of the household to each family member, with a kiss and a wish for health, wealth and happiness in the coming year. In many families, each person also in turn wishes the same to each other.
The evening meal is always meatless and consists of numerous courses. Many families serve twelve courses, symbolizing the Apostles and/or the months of the year, while others serve an odd number of courses. Foods represent four areas of the earth: mushrooms for the forest, fruits from the orchards, grains form the fields and fish from the water. Typical ingredients in Wigilia dishes include whitefish, carp, herring, mushrooms, cabbage, beets, cheeses, potatoes, eggs, noodles (including filled dumplings called pierogi), fruits, poppy seeds, honey and nuts.
It is also a night of family and fun with the telling of a magical legend, as Wigilia folklore suggests animals can talk in a human voice on Christmas Eve. And speaking of animals, the family pet also receives a special treat which commemorates Polish farmers of olden times taking leftovers from the family Wigilia meal to the barn animals.
Following dinner, gifts are exchanged and Polish carols (koledy) are sung, either at hoe or at the traditional vigil Mass attended by many families. The Christmas Eve Mass is known as Mass of the Shepard or “Pasterka” as the shepards were the first to visit the infant Jesus after his birth.
Greetings are exchanged by saying “Wesolych Swiat, Bozego Narodzeniz i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku” – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wigilia
One of the most cherished customs that has endured within Polish heritage in the United States is the Christmas Eve vigil celebration known as “Wigilia” (pronounced Vee-geel-ya). The name comes from the latin word vigilare, meaning “to watch.” It is the special night to wait for the coming of the Infant Jesus.
Although specific traditions vary from family to family Wigilia is considered a sacred night of unity among all family members and includes specific foods and unique customs steeped in rich symbol.
Preparations for Wigilia meal include setting the dinner table with white cloth under which is placed hay. These symbolize the manager and Mary’s veil used to swaddle the Baby Jesus. An extra is always set in memory of ancestors or to accommodate an “unexpected guest” – perhaps even the infant Jesus.
The first star in the sky commemorates the birth of Christ and represents the star of Bethlehem. After the first star is seen, the Christmas tree is lighted and the dinner customs commence.
Dinner is preceded by a prayer and the sharing of the Christmas wafer, the Oplatek (pronounced oh-pwah-tek). This is an unleavened wheat wafer much like the hosts used at mass. It is passed from the head of the household to each family member, with a kiss and a wish for health, wealth and happiness in the coming year. In many families, each person also in turn wishes the same to each other.
The evening meal is always meatless and consists of numerous courses. Many families serve twelve courses, symbolizing the Apostles and/or the months of the year, while others serve an odd number of courses. Foods represent four areas of the earth: mushrooms for the forest, fruits from the orchards, grains form the fields and fish from the water. Typical ingredients in Wigilia dishes include whitefish, carp, herring, mushrooms, cabbage, beets, cheeses, potatoes, eggs, noodles (including filled dumplings called pierogi), fruits, poppy seeds, honey and nuts.
It is also a night of family and fun with the telling of a magical legend, as Wigilia folklore suggests animals can talk in a human voice on Christmas Eve. And speaking of animals, the family pet also receives a special treat which commemorates Polish farmers of olden times taking leftovers from the family Wigilia meal to the barn animals.
Following dinner, gifts are exchanged and Polish carols (koledy) are sung, either at hoe or at the traditional vigil Mass attended by many families. The Christmas Eve Mass is known as Mass of the Shepard or “Pasterka” as the shepards were the first to visit the infant Jesus after his birth.
Greetings are exchanged by saying “Wesolych Swiat, Bozego Narodzeniz i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku” – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!