If you live in or are from a Scandinavian country, you probably went begging in the streets with soot-covered faces, scarves around your heads, carrying broomsticks, coffee pots and bunches of twigs. Later in the evening, you most likely gathered around the huge Easter bonfires that are burned to ward off these “witches” who fly around on brooms during the holy days of the Triduum.
Polish Easter traditions include that of the “Smingus-Dyngus”, the custom of pouring cold water on one another using buckets, squirt guns or anything else the folks can get their hands on. Legend says girls who get soaked on Easter will marry within the year. This tradition is said to have its origin in the Baptism of Polish Prince Mieszko during Easter in 966 AD.
In France, omelets are the traditional morning fare of Easter Sunday. In the town of Haux, a giant omelet is prepared each year using more than 4, 500 eggs, feeding up to 1,000 people who gather in the town square. The tradition commemorates the entry of Napoleon and his troops into the south of France and the occasion upon which they stopped in this village to rest and eat the omelets the people enthusiastically prepared for them.
We Italians celebrate Easter and almost every tradition with food. Since Easter is the end of the Lenten Season of sacrifice, food is very much part of the Easter festivities. Traditional Easter foods across Italy may include lamb or goat, artichokes and special Easter breads that vary from region to region. Pannetone (sweet fruticake) and Colomba (dove shaped) breads are often given as gifts, as are hollow chocolate eggs that usually come with a surprise inside. On Easter Monday, some cities hold dances, free concerts, or unusual games often involving eggs. In the Umbrian hill town of Panicale, cheese is the star. Ruzzolone is played by rolling huge wheels of cheese, weighing about 10 pounds , around the village walls. The object is to get your cheese around the course using the fewest number of strokes. Following the cheese contest, there is a band in the piazza and of course, wine and cheese sampling.
Children in the American grow up expecting a delivery of eggs and candy from the Easter bunny each year, but it may seem odd to an outsider. Brought to this country by German immigrants in the 1700s, the practice is rooted in the belief that rabbits and eggs symbolize fertility and rebirth.
Whatever customs are observed in celebrating Easter, they are expressions of a deep and abiding faith and trust in the Mercy of the Lord witnessed in Christ Passion and Death and Promised in His Resurrection.
However you may have celebrated Easter Sunday, try to keep the spirit of that celebration in your heart and soul each and everyday. The Lord has forgiven us our sins, let us rejoice in His Resurrection and be assured of His Promise of Eternal Life to all those who believe in Him.
Happy Easter Season, everyone. God bless you always!
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