A SYMBOL OF FAMILY UNITY

The Oplatki tradition is one that is easy, fun, and deeply meaningful to introduce to the family anytime during the long Christmas season.  All it requires is a simple wafer paired with love and affection, and the willingness to share it.  This is a heartwarming tradition that will complete your family’s time together during the Christmas season. 

HOW TO CELEBRATE THE OPLATKI TRADITION

The Oplatki are enjoyed by families, typically right before the Christmas Eve meal. The entire family will gather around the table with the Oplatek.  Generally 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.  This blessing can simply consist of what you desire for your loved one in the upcoming year – whether it be good health, success, or happiness. The purpose of this act is primarily to express ones unconditional love and forgiveness for each member of his or her family.

THE SYMBOLISM

The significance of the Oplatki Christmas wafer is in that it shadows the Eucharistic meal that Catholics participate in at each Mass.  Just as we share in the Eucharist as one family in Christ and receive Christ’s love through the Eucharist, the Oplatki allows for one’s immediate family to come together and share the love they have for one another.  This symbolism is deepened by the fact that the name of the town where Jesus Christ was born, Bethlehem, means "House of Bread," which makes the Oplatki tradition an especially beautiful way to celebrate the charity and unity so characteristic of the Christmas season.

YES, EVEN FOR FAMILY PETS!

Although this tradition is primarily enjoyed by the human members of the family, even the family pets can partake in this meal. Traditionally, this corresponds to the animals that were the first to greet Christ at his birth.In current times, this can also represent the important role that pets play in the family.  Whereas the wafers are generally white in color, there are colored Oplatki made especially for pets (although both colors are edible by people).  Our packs of 10 Oplatki wafers contain 8 white ones for the humans and 2 pink ones for the family pets.