Christmas Eve Polish Style

1. Christmas Eve Polish Style Enjoy a mixture of churches, traditions, and genealogy!

2. Christmas is often a time of reflections about our family and childhood. Recently, I was thinking about the Catholic Midnight Mass services we would attend with our mom and the importance of the church in the daily lives of the Polish people. I began to think of the Catholic churches my ancestors attended that I had visited in Poland. This is a product of that reflection. I have made no attempt to explain relationships of the individuals, so do not worry about how they relate to you or each other! I have simply woven the traditions together with images of some of the churches my ancestors would have attended on Christmas Eve. Enjoy reading the traditions they had, their unusual names, and celebrating our “Polishness!”

3. Wigilia Wigilia is the Polish name for Christmas Eve. On this day, preparations would be made for the coming days as no work (including cooking) was to be done on Christmas Day. As preparations were completed and the sun began to set, everyone would gather for the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper. Often, the meal consisted of 12 courses in honor of the 12 disciples of Jesus. Though specific food served at this meal varies somewhat across Poland, several items are fairly common. Because the meal was observed as a Black Fast, it was a meatless dinner with carp, herring, or other fish served.

4. This Catholic parish was first mentioned in documents dating back to about 1350. Obviously, this is not the original church. This one was built in 1978 after the previous one had been struck by lightning and burned. St. Woicech the Bishop and Martyr Boleslaw, Poland This church location is where FelixCybulski was christened following his birth in 1780 in the nearby village of Lelice. His wife, AntoninaLewandowska, was probably born in the area too. They are my great, great, great, great grandparents.

5. When the first star, known as the Gwiazdka, appears in the sky, the family gathers to begin the evening.Before the meal, the father breaks the Oplatek in half and passes one half to his wife. They wish each other joy and happiness for the coming year. Then they share the wafer with their children, other family members and guests making similar wishes for family members. Then everyone sits to begin their special meal. The “Oplatek" is a thin wafer, made of flour and water. Historically, they were baked by the church organist and were distributed from house to house in the parish during Advent. Today, they are produced commercially.

6. No history of this church has been located, but a church has been in this location for centuries. Many events occurred in this church. Important specific records include: 1. Marriage of FelixCybulski and AntoninaLewandowska in 1805. 2. Christening and deaths of several of their children. Also christening of our ancestor, SylwesterCybulski, in 1814. They lived in a small village called Świerczyn. St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Drobin, Poland

7. The breaking of the Christmas wafer is a custom that began in Poland in the 10th century and is practiced by people of Polish ancestry around the world. It is considered the most ancient and beloved of Polish traditions.

8. This church was visited by family members for over 50 years. During this time the families lived in the very small villages of Niedroz Mlody and Druchowo. Some significant events that occurred at this church include: 1. Death of Felix Cybulski and Antonina Lewandowska 2.Marriage of their son, Sylwester Cybulski to Joanna Staniszewska in 1832. Also their deaths. (3 greats) 3. Christening of their children including our ancestor, JakobCybulski, born in 1848. 4. Marriage of Jakob Cybulski to Franciszka Jablonska in 1872. (great, great grandparents) 5. Christening of their children including our ancestor, Antonina Cybulska in 1893. (great grandmother) St James the Apostle Koziebrody Parish current building - 1880

9. The Wigilia Table A white tablecloth is used and hay is placed under the cloth. The hay is a reminder that Jesus was born in a manger. An extra place is always set for an “unexpected” guest to celebrate the tradition of hospitality. The empty seat is left vacant in case a family member, traveler, or a friend knocks on the door. They too would be given a piece of the wafer.

10. Church of St Joseph Rościszewo Events located that occurred at this church: 1. Marriage of FranciszekJablonski to MaryannaMalicka in 18 (4 great grandparents) 2. Birth of their children including our ancestor, FranciszkaJablonska, in 1812. She had a twin brother who died soon after birth. 3. Birth of her daughter (illegitimate), our ancestor, FranciszkaJablonska(2 great) in 1847. At the time, her mother was working in the manor house of the local nobility.

11. Sauerkraut/red cabbage Mushroom soup Some traditional favorites Noodles with poppyseeds Perogi

12. Church of St. Catherine Łęg Probostwo While in this church parish, records locate our family living in two different villages – Kowalewo and Chudzynek. 1. Marriage of great grandparents JanJaroszewski and AntoninaCybulska in 1893. 2. Birth of their children including my grandmother, PelagiaJaroszewska, in 1898.

13. The meal on Christmas Eve was a meatless one, so herring and carp are often included. Looking back, I now understand an unusual memory from childhood. Carp in aspic My dad loved to go fishing, and for a while we had a second home on Lake Lanier in north Georgia. He caught many kinds of fish and we ate most of them (bass, crappie, bream, catfish) but we never ate the carp he caught. To most southern people, carp are very undesirable fish. They eat the eggs laid by other fish (reducing their number) and were not considered “good eating.” When my grandparents would visit in the summer, my dad would bring the carp home and my grandmother would bake them in the oven with tomatoes. I HATED the smells coming from the oven! Looking back, I now realized that the cooking of the carp probably reminded her (and my grandfather) of many happy Christmas Eve dinners shared with family before coming to America!

14. This small parish church is located in the village of Swiecieniec. I did not visit this church, nor have I been able to find any information about it. Our family lived in two villages within this parish – Pepłowo and Samborz. The following family records from this parish have been located. 1. Birth of great grandfather JanJaroszewski in 1868. 2. Death of his grandmother, ApoloniaKwiatkowskaSzczawinska in 1855. 3. Additional marriage, birth, and death records related to the Szczawinski family. St. Vincent and Anastasius Swiecieniec Parish

15. Makowiec This is a sweet roll made with poppy seeds and is similar to a stollen. Gołąbki – stuffed cabbage with rice and mushrooms Some traditional favorites Borscht – beetroot soup Babka - also the name for “grandmother”

16. It was only after returning from Poland and following a clue from information learned on the trip that I realized the importance of this church and a nearby village called Zaskrodzie – and it was only 7 miles from where we were staying in Kolno. Some located records are 1. Marriage of IgnacyWierzbicki to JuliannaWyrwas in 1861. (great, great grandparents) 2. Marriage of Julianna’s parents, JozefWyrwas and EwaPiasecka in 1826. (3 greats) St. Woicech the Bishop and Martyr Poryte 3. Marriage and birth records of Ewa Piasecka mention parents – Machiej and ZofiaPeasecki (4 greats). 4. Mention of Jozef Wyrwas’ parents - KalikstWyrwas and wife AgnieszkaWygnat (4 greats). 5. Most important of all – birth record of my grandfather’s father – JanWierzbicki in 1862.

17. After dinner, it was customary to feed the domestic animals the remaining Oplatek and dinner items to give them good health in the coming year. Old stories were told and carols were sung. These activities continued until time to leave for Midnight Mass. In Poland, this service is called Pasterka (Mass of the Shepherds) in honor of the shepherds who saw the star and first greeted baby Jesus. The churches you have been viewing were never more than a couple miles away as most people had to walk to church. Because most of my ancestors were listed in the records as peasants, day laborers, or farmers, they most likely came by wagon or sleigh if they owned a horse to pull it; or if not, they walked. Polish artist Juliusz Słabiak

18. The only definite facts I know about this church is that my grandfather, RajmundWierzbicki, was christened here in 1892 after his birth in the village of Rydzewo-Świątki. He attended this church with his parents, Jan and BarbaraDąbrowskaWierzbicki, until he left for America in 1909. Annunciation Blessed Mary Virgin Lachowo While visiting the cemetery, I found this cute little angel in a trash pile, “adopted” it, and brought it home with me!

19. Every able-bodied person went to Midnight Mass regardless of the weather. Only the very young, sick, or feeble did not attend. They traveled in the dark with little to light the way except handmade torches. Knowing the location of the villages where my ancestors lived, it would have been a very dark trip. As they traveled through their small village, neighbors would join in the walk. None of our relatives lived in the village where their church was located.

20. An example shown here is a trip between Lachowo and the village where Grandpa Wierzbicki was born (Rydzewo-Świątki). To get to church, the villagers had to walk about 2 ½ miles. The dark green indicates forests. This Google image was taken over 100 years after Grandpa left Poland. Imagine how dark and cold a walk it would have been 100 to 200 years ago. With snow on the ground, it could have taken quite a long time!

21. Once coming to America and settling in Brooklyn, New York, our kin had to find a new church. Once again, because they had no easy means of transportation, the Polish Catholic families living together in Brooklyn went to the same church. Documented events that occurred here include: 1. Marriage of RajmundWierzbicki and PelagiaJaroszewska in 1920. 2. Christening of all their children including WandaMariaWierzbica in 1921. 3. Christening of RaymondClydeFortenberry in 1945. Our Lady of Consolation 84 Metropolitan Avenue Brooklyn, NY

22. After marrying a Southerner and moving to Georgia in 1945, Wanda Wierzbicka Fortenberry had to locate another Catholic church. Though raised as a Baptist, Reggie, Terry, and I were christened at St. Thomas More Church in 1952. Mom gave up her adherence to the Catholic Church not long after that. The whole family attended Clarkston Baptist Church in Clarkston, Georgia. I think that choice was made to fit in with her new Southern Baptist family and out of love for her husband, Adrian Fortenberry.  St. Thomas More Decatur, Georgia This is the church where, as children, we attended Midnight Mass with our mother.

23. Over time, the Wierzbicki/Fortenberry family developed our own traditions! Polish Potato salad in the old red bowl Ham and Kielbasa biscuits Aunt Reggie’s Hickory nut pound cake Chopped Chicken Livers On another table and not Pictured: Chrusciki cookies Southern pecan pie 1981 It was a wonderful mix of our Southern and Polish foods!

24. There is a special emotional bond between the Catholic Church and the Polish people. This bond was formed because for the last several centuries Poland itself was partitioned and taken over by Russia, Germany, and Austria. For many years, there was no country called Poland. But their belief system gave the Polish people the courage to hold on to their culture and heritage regardless of political events. My grandparents’ immigration records say they were Russian citizens. Both considered themselves completely and totally Polish – even without a country.

25. It is hard to realize in today’s world just how important their church and faith was to our Polish ancestors. In many cases, they were very poor. Their faith gave them a hope for the future, whether here on Earth or beyond. The church provided small villages a unifying point of social and emotional stability. It is amazing to realize how many Midnight Masses my ancestors attended at these small parish churches in Poland through the years. Merry Christmas everyone!