South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-17
GERMANY ROBS
POLAND Of XMAS
Yuletide Customs Prevented
by Devastation and Famine
Caused by the War.

Nothing. perhaps. exercises a
greater spell on a person than the
arrival Of the holiday seasonal
time that brings with it centuries
OF history, progress and manners Of
mankind. That most universal holt
day-Christmas-is probably a time
that has more to do with the de-
velopment Of customs and rural
games than any other occasion that
presents itself
70 is then the peculiar traits OF the
different natiOnalities are awakened.
IL is then that each nationality has
its Individual characteristics mould
ed by its surroundings. Just as
nearly every nation has contributed
something to the celebration Of
Christmas. Poland developed Christ
mas customs peculiar only 20 this
country OF western Europe. The
Polish Christmas in America gives
"A fairly good idea OF these customs.
With the approach OF the Christ
mas holidays. JOY reigns in the
hearts OF the Poles in every Polish
settlement in the world. For hun
dreJs OF years special customs pre-
vailed among the Poles during
Christmas and these customs are
strictly observed. The customs
we're observed during the time when
Poland was one OF the leading ma
tions in Europe and they passed on
from generation TO generation.
horrible human carnage in Europe,
especially on the lands OF Poland.
innumerable Polish families will not
indulge in the festivities as they are
stricken with famine and poverty.
In Poland, the Niobe Of the ma
tons, Christmas Will be a sad one.
Prior TO the commencement of the
festivities. for four weeks during the
Advent, the Poles refrain from par
tiCipating in all entertainments and
Publications. All social activities
are suspended and the time is de-
voted 10 charity and prayer. It is
a custom among the Poles TO at
tend holy mass at dawn during the
sundays in Advent. II is a special
service called "Roraty." The head
of every Polish family insists upon
The other members of the family 10
attend these services. These services
during the four Sundays resemble
the Jews awaiting the birth of Jesus
Christ for 5000 years. Fast days
during Advent are strictly observed.
On Wednesdays. Fridays and Satur-
lays. foods containing meat are not
placed on the tables. The "ROraty"
services are specially observed in |
Europe and in some Of the dioceses /
q America.
TN Christmas eve members Of Po-
ism families meet and have supper
-ogether. This is a feast for which
everybody waits a long time. The
roash children enjoy it very much
as the others do. The Polish house
wives are very busy from morning
-peciaI food IS prepared. For this
annual supper every father strives
.o get these special dishes for his
amily. The supper consists OF 10
iInerent dishes at least. The poorer
roles strive to have at least six.
he table is covered with hay and
u .he center OF the table is found
plate with waters (oplatkD. Be
fore the members sit down TO par
take the food. the father of every
Polish household commences to
break the wafer and then partake
nth every member of the family
who do it mutually.
During the partakins Of the wa
Ter the me.ubers forgive each other
anG then express their wishes for
he approaching new year. 1t is a
custom that in all PROBABILITY will
never he forgotten by the Poles.
The Poles who travel a good deal
a-un months ahead of time to be
present at this supper. which is also
4 family reunion. Another charaC-
cristic OF the feast is that a mem
DER OF the family awaits the ap-
1earance of the first star Of the
vening and after that supper be-
sins.
After supper the weather. Poles
divide their foods with their neigh
5ors. In Europe the remains of the
supper are given 10 the cattle. Aft
ar the partaking of the supper is
lone. in a majority Of the families.
he Christmas trees are lighted. The
.lembers get around the fir tree and
sing Christmas hymns until mid
light. and then the Poles attend the
midnight mass. Christmas services
are always well attended. Churches