Polish heritage cherished in Troy at Wigilia dinner

On the weekend of the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6-7, parishioners of St. Joseph's Church in Troy will gather at the Polish American Club to celebrate the Polish holiday traditions of Wigilia and Oplatek.

Wigilia is usually celebrated on Christmas Eve, but many people in Troy with a Polish heritage have been celebrating their version at Epiphany since Holy Trinity Church, a Polish parish, was established in 1909.

How the two churches -- St. Joseph's and Holy Trinity -- came to mark the occasion together is a story of ongoing cooperation.

Coming together

Parishioners of Holy Trinity initially held the dinner at their parish hall, said Fran Luke, coordinator of the annual festival. When the parish closed a few years ago, members moved to St. Joseph's.

Mrs. Luke recalls when, as a child, she would go to the parish hall to watch women make pierogis and Polish bow-tie cookies called kruschicki.

"They were the ladies from the Altar Rosary Society, and they were very serious about cooking that food for Wigilia," she said.

Oplatek

During the Wigilia, "we observe the Christmas Oplatek blessing," Mrs. Luke noted.

Oplatek, which is similar to a communion wafer, rests on a small dish or bed of hay in the middle of the family dinner table. Before the meal is eaten, families break the Oplatek and express good wishes to one another. Those no longer alive are remembered during the ceremony.

"We have developed the custom where each family breaks the wafer first with each other and then table by table until all have been blessed," she explained. "This builds the community."

Into the future

This year, the Lukes asked for help with the celebration, which has grown to include many people. Now supported by about 12 volunteers, Mrs. Luke thinks the event will continue into the future.

"The work is really too much for just two people," Mrs. Luke said. "It takes at least three months to coordinate the meal and everything else that goes with it. We will carry on this special, much-loved tradition as long as we can. I hope that some of our younger members come forward and get involved.

"As long as members of our parish are willing to volunteer their time, we will be able to have this celebration."

(Wigilia, which means "vigil" in Polish, is traditionally a meatless meal eaten on Christmas Eve with 11 items on the table, including fish, dairy and vegetables. The Lukes have expanded the celebration to include a raffle and door prizes, including hand-made afghans, wreaths and even a trip for two to what Mrs. Luke calls "a special destination." For additional information on the Wigilia, go to www.polishtraditions.net.)

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