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Ann Lupkowski, writer of the Blossburg Banter column for the Wellsboro Gazette, tells about the Wigilia celebration. Ann, 18, a stu dent at the University of Scranton; her brother, Peter, 19, a Student at Kings College, Wilkes-Barre; and their parents Tony and Betty, will celebrate the traditional American Christmas on December 25 with turkey and all the trimmings, but Christmas Eve is set aside for a spe cial family time in the Polish tradi tion. Betty, a native of Blossburg, and Tony, a native of New Jersey, are third and second generation Polish descendants, respectively. Their parents instilled in them these special Polish customs, and they in turn are passing these customs along to their own children. Polish Christmas by Ann Lupkowski Americans of Polish origin and heritage have been given a beautiful legacy by their ancestors. Many area Polish-American homemakers are busy cooking and preparing for their family’s Wigilia. The Wigilia is the Christmas Eve supper— the most deeply beloved and beautiful of the many customs handed down from Polish immi grants to their descendants. Fami lies gather from far off places to cele brate this occasion which arouses deep feelings of kinship among fam ily members. On the day before Christmas, the table is set, and a thin layer of hay is placed under a snow white table cloth as a reminder of the infant Jesus in a manger. An extra place is set and a light ed candle is placed in a window with the hope that the Christ Child, in the form of an unexpected guest, will come to share the vigilia. When the first star appears in the sky (gwiazdka) the feast commemo rating the birth of Christ begins with the sharing of the oplatek. The oplatek is similar to altar bread used in Roman Catholic Churches. It is an unleavened wafer that has figures of the Christ Child, his blessed Mother and angels stamped on it. In a deeply moving moment, often accompanied by tears of love and joy, the individuals present break this bread of love with one another and exchange good wishes of health and happiness in the New Year. After all have broken the oplatek and exchanged greetings, it is time for the traditional vigil supper. Usu ally the meal is meatless and may in clude; mushroom soup, boiled pota toes, pickled herring, fish, pierogi, beans and sauerkraut, fruit compote, sweet breads called babka and pla cek, and assorted pastries, nuts and candies. Following the meal, family mem bers sing Polish Christmas carols, kolendy, and then attend the Mid night Mass, called Pasterka, or Shep ard’s watch. From our family to yours —we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’ Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narod zenia! BETTY RECEIVES THE opiatek from Tony during the Wigitia. Their Costumes were brought to Blossburg from a 1975 trip to Poland. Betty wears a costume from the Lowicz, region, and Tony, a Goral costume of heavy wool from the highlands. Their Ruad Street home is laden with Polish creations, brought home to Blossburg after visiting Poland. The four members decorate their Choinka. Polish C hristmas tree, with straw ornaments they of the Lupkowski family traveled to Poland
Newspaper Details
Wellsboro Gazette
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, US
Wed, Dec 24, 1980
Page 16
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 23 Jun 2026
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