“Blessing Ceremony at “Dom Weselny” (The Bride’s home): The blessing and symbolic farewells of the bride with her parents and relatives. Before the church ceremony everyone would gather at the home of the bride to accompany the bridal couple to the church, but also to witness the blessing and symbolic farewells of the bride with her parents, relatives and friends. The blessing by the parents before church was seen as more important than the church ceremony itself.
* “Serdeczna Matko” ( Beloved Mother ) solo performed in Polish as the bride and groom kneel before their parents
* Blessing by the mother of the bride
“May God Almighty grant you health, happiness and mutual love on your new road through life together and may He bless you with numerous, healthy children–the fruit of your love. And I also bless you: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen”
* The mother sprinkles the couple with holy water with a rose from the garden of the bride’s home
* Blessing by the father of the bride
* Blessing by the mother and father of the groom
* Blessing by the Godparents of the bride
* Blessing by the Grandparents of the bride
* “Chusteczka” Handkerchief Ceremony – performed by the“Starszy Druzba” Best Man and the “Starsza Druhna” Maid of Honor with the bride and groom
* After the Blessing – the bride and groom thank, hug and kiss their parents
* Musicans continue to play as the bridal party prepares for the wedding
Video from the wedding of Phillip Wilcox and Kathy Ann Mazurkiewicz in Bryan, Texas. Videography by Brianna Cammack
Jim Mazurkiewicz is a Texas native whose family originally settled in Washington County, Texas at the turn of the twentieth century. His family still owns and operates the family farm in Chappell Hill. He graduated from Waller High School and received a B.S. and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and a Masters from Texas Tech University. Dr Jim is currently a Professor and Extension Specialist for Leadership Programs as TALL Director for Texas AgriLife Extension a member of The Texas A&M System and its statewide Agriculture Program. Jim takes great pride in his Polish heritage and plays Polish music on his concertina accordion.