The Wigilia and the sharing of the opłatek are essential for all of us of Polish descent. It is something we were raised with, and it profoundly shapes our sense of self and personal identity through our Polish roots and ancestors.
Wigilia at Orchard Lake Schools has never been merely a festive gathering. It is one of the oldest and most enduring rituals of the Polish-American community— a ceremony in which memory, faith, and heritage intertwine across generations.
It’s gratifying to see the tradition of sharing the Christmas wafer continue at Orchard Lake. I remember the times when SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake Schools (Zakłady Naukowe) hosted Christmas Eve gatherings for the Polish American diaspora. The seminary closed after the 2021/2022 academic year, and the St. John Paul II Liturgical Center was established, which then took over the tradition of Christmas wafer sharing gatherings.
And let it stay that way forever!
Alicja
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