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- What is Oplatki?
- Where did it come from?
- What do you do with it?
- How can you make this tradition your own?
- How can Oplatki be kept fresh?
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Read on to find out!
WHAT IS OPLATKI?
Oplatki, pronounced oh-pwaht-kee,
are thin wafers,
similar to
Communion hosts.
They are made of two
ingredients:
wheat flour and water.
These wafers have
beautiful
Christmas
images stamped into them.
WHERE DID OPLATKI COME FROM?
This tradition originated
in 10th-century Poland.
It is now
popular all over
eastern
Europe,
but is
most
beloved
in
Poland,
Lithuania,
and Slovakia.
The significance
of the Oplatki wafer
shadows the Eucharistic meal that
Catholics
participate in at each Mass.
Just as we share in
the Eucharist as one
body
in Christ and receive Jesus and
His love
through
the Eucharist, Oplatki allows for
family
and
friends
to come
together and
to
share
the
love they have
for one another.
(And remember that the word
"Bethlehem" means "House of Bread"!)
WHAT DO YOU WITH OPLATKI?
Just before the Christmas Eve meal,
the entire family gathers around
the table
with the Oplatki.
Usually the eldest member
of the family
will begin the ritual by breaking off
a
piece
of the wafer and passing it to another
family
member with a blessing.
Often the blessing includes an embrace for a
family member, and well wishes for
God's
blessings on them in the upcoming year.
It is also a tradition to ask forgiveness
for
any
misunderstandings or offences
which
took place during that year.
The wafer is passed from person to person
until all have taken a piece and received
blessings
from one another. Then each family member
consumes
their piece of Oplatki quietly.
The purpose of this act is primarily
to
express
unconditional love and forgiveness
for
each member of the family.
HOW CAN YOU MAKE THIS
TRADITION YOUR OWN?
You do not have to be Polish to enjoy
this beautiful tradition with your family.
Since our wafers comes in an envelope
with
the
Oplatki
tradition and history printed
on the
back,
you can share this explanation
with
your
loved
ones.
Use it at
your
Christmas
meal.
"Last year my sister used the last of her Oplatek,
and was wondering how she was going to get more.
The Catholic Company sent me a notice that Oplatki
was now available so I immediately ordered 10 sheets
for each of us. It's a Polish tradition we've practiced for
well over 65 years...The Oplatki came wrapped
(sturdily)
in a box packed with bubble-wrap and arrived
quite
quickly after being ordered. Thanks!"
—Katherine
Some families even bring Oplatki
to their
Thanksgiving feast!
Customer Reviews:
"We like them very much...used
[the Oplatki]
at Thanksgiving
dinner with family."
"These are lovely, pretty
with
beautiful
envelopes,
well packaged,
shipped promptly."
If you live too far away from loved ones
to be with them over the holidays, you can
still send them Oplatki in the mail.
Many people include Oplatki
in their Christmas cards.
It's available in family-friendly quantities,
so you can
buy Oplatki for just your immediate
family—or you can get
enough to send to all your
nieces,
nephews,
cousins, grandchildren and more!
Pink Oplatki have traditionally been
shared
with pets, since animals were some
of the first
creatures to greet the Christ
Child when He was born.
(The pink Oplatki is simply
dyed
a pinkish color
and is safe
for both people and pets.)
HOW CAN OPLATKI BE KEPT FRESH?
Oplatki wafers stay fresh for a long time.
It is safe to store them for several months,
preferably in a sealed container.
PINK & WHITE SETS
Set of 10 (8 white and 2 pink) = $6
Set of 20 (16 white and 4 pink) = $10
Set of 50 (40 white and 10 pink) = $22
Set of 100 (80 white and 20 pink) = $42 |
WHITE SETS
Set of 10 = $6
Set of 20 = $10
Set of 50 = $22
Set of 100 = $42 |
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Customer Reviews:
"I was thrilled to find this remembrance
of my
childhood…These Christmas wafers can be shared
out around Christmas and given to family, friends...
They are a beautiful way of reminding people
of
the
mystery and the glory of Our Saviour's birth. "
"These came in perfect condition
and
the simplicity was absolutely perfect."
"I purchased these 'Oplatki' for my Polish
Catholic friend. She was so thrilled with them
she wept, as she had been unable to find them
anywhere and they are an important spiritual
element in the Polish Christmas celebration."
"We have family reaching all ends of the earth
from Georgia (USA) to China. Not everyone can be
home for Christmas and this was our way of feeling
connected. It was wonderful knowing that we were
all breaking bread and staying together as a family."
"My dad is all about a traditional Christmas Eve
dinner, these christmas wafers were PERFECT!!!
They arrived on time, and not a single one was
broken
(a big concern of mine). My family loved
them
and they reminded my dad of
Christmas
eve dinners from his childhood.
Thank you so much!!!"
Learn more about Oplatki.
Click the video image!
Click the banner below
to
read
a helpful article
about
the Oplatki tradition.
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