Blessing of the Easter Baskets

March 31, 2021

Blessing of the Easter Baskets - Holy Saturday

In many countries, the blessing of Easter foods was, and is, an important tradition going back many centuries.

They may include the following:

1. eggs: symbols of eternal life, of new life, of Christ’s Resurrection.
2. butter: God’s goodness, often molded into the form of a paschal lamb; the Lamb of God.
3. bread: the bread of life, often a round loaf symbolizing eternal life.
4. horseradish & pepper: like the bitter herbs offered to Christ on Calvary.
5. links of sausage or kielbasa: indicating that Christ broke the chains of death.
6. ham or bacon: representing God’s abundance.
7. lamb: the meat eaten as Passover.
8. salt: hospitality and prosperity.

The food is covered with linen reminiscent of that which was placed over Christ’s body (the linen cloth that covered His head). The food is placed before the priest for his blessing, he being the conduit of the Source of all blessing. The blessing reminds the faithful that the sadness of Holy Saturday (before the Vigil) will soon give way to the joy of Easter Sunday, the joy that Jesus Christ is alive and has broken the chains of death forever!