Holy Family Parish & St. Joseph’s Church will bring back a lost but cherished tradition; the blessing of the Easter Baskets. Father Slezak will bless the baskets on Easter Sunday after each Mass.
*Blessing of the food is a festive occasion with people taking special pride in preparing a decorative and tasteful basket. Linens line the basket and cover the food which symbolizes the covering of Christ’s burial shroud. These covers are usually passed down from generation to generation. The basket could also be decorated with colorful ribbons and greenery or dried flowers to symbolize spring, renewal, and the Resurrection.
The creativity of the parishioners brings a special joy to this event. Children are eager to help prepare and decorate the family basket and proudly carry it into the church. Please place your basket on the side altars before the Communion rail.
Symbolic Food suggestions to put in your basked: • Bacon - is a symbol of the abundance of God's mercy. • Bread - usually a braid, representing the staff of life given by God. • Easter bread (babka) - is a round cake of rich, eggy yeast dough with raisins that is reminiscent of the risen Lord. • Butter - is one of the dairy products included to celebrate the end of Lent and the richness of our salvation. The butter is often shaped into a lamb, which is symbolic of the Paschal Lamb • Candles - symbolize Jesus, the "light of the world" • Cheese - is a symbol to remind Christians of moderation. • Colored eggs/Uncolored hard-cooked eggs - hope, new life, & Christ rising from his tomb. • Ham or other meats - symbolizes great joy & abundance celebrating Christ's resurrection. • Sausage links (kiełbasa) - are symbolic of the chains of death that were broken when Jesus rose from the dead and God's generosity. • Horseradish – a reminder of the bitterness and harshness of the Passion of Jesus, and the vinegar it is mixed with symbolizes the sour wine given to Jesus on the cross. • Salt - is present to add zest to life and preserve us from corruption. • Sweets – pastries, candy, etc. suggest the promise of eternal life or good things to come. We hope you take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and start a new family tradition in your home. God Bless! *thespruceeats.com