Blessing the Easter Baskets

People carrying dainty Easter baskets filled with kielbasa, blessing bread, butter and ham made their way into St. John Brebeuf church in Niles Saturday for the traditional Polish custom of swiecoka, or the blessing of the baskets. It takes place every year on Holy Saturday to bless the foods families will eat on Easter Sunday.

Most people had put pretty linen doilies on their baskets and decorated them with flowers and foliage. Priests made their way down the aisles splashing holy water on the baskets--and often, on the people, as the photos attest.