Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

201 Painter Street, Everson Pennsylvania 15631  --- Phone 724-887-6714

Wigilia

With the women working in the kitchen over the holiday delicacies and the children busy with decorations, Christmas Ever is climaxed by the elaborate ever supper or "Wilia," for which an odd number of meatless courses (5, 7, 11) is prescribed.  One place at the table is left vacant for a guest or beggar, for the Poles says: Gosc w dom, Bog w dom" - "A guest in the home is God in the home."  Under the white table cloth at the center of the table is placed a handful of hay over which is placed the "oplatek" or wafer.  When the first star appears in the heavens, the traditional "Wilia" begins.  Prior to the Wilia supper the Pole observes a scrupulous abstinence from almost all food.