It is traditional in Poland for priests to visit the homes of their parishioners in the period between Christmas and February 2nd (the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple). Since the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become common for parishes to offer a way for people to sign up for a pastoral visit, rather than just going to every home in the parish and knocking on the door. (In St Charles parish, this is done by means of slips of paper found in the church before Christmas.) Depending on the practice in your local parish, you may not be informed about the dates for visits on the particular streets of your parish unless you go to your parish and read a poster or look up parish announcements online.
When the priest comes to your house, it is customary to have a few things set up for his visit:
- a crucifix,
- a Bible,
- some candles.
These are usually arranged in a prominent spot, on a white cloth.
It’s optional to have your own holy water and something to sprinkle it, or plain water to be blessed by the priest. If you have this, the priest can use it to bless your home and family.
You can buy a ‘kit’ for Kolęda visits in religious goods shops or online; or you can just look at the pictures to get an idea how to set up a table or other prominent place with your crucifix, Bible and candles, usually arranged on a white cloth. Here’s a link to a shop with pictures. Such a kit can also be used whenever a priest visits your home to bless it, or when visiting the sick or bringing Holy Communion to a dying person at home. You can also use the elements of such a kit as a kind of altar for personal or family prayer.
If you live in the south of the city (Krzyki, Grabiszyńska areas), we highly recommend the religious goods shop where the parish buys its supplies. Konkordia is family-owned and operated out of the family home (quite close to Carrefour and the Borek shopping center, a short walk from the swimming pool at the Modlińska bus stop in Racławicka street). Konkordia has better prices than the Cathedral shop or other religious-goods shops in the city. (You will often see priests shopping there – even priests who work at the Cathedral.) A young man working there also speaks English, which is a big help. Here’s a link to find directions. Be aware that they sell on a cash-only basis, and take real money with you if you intend to buy anything at Konkordia.
On January 6th, people who attend the English Mass will be able to take home a paper that has prayers and a procedure for you to bless your own home instead of having a visit from the priest. At the end of the visit, it is customary for the priest to mark your door using blessed chalk. Blessed chalk is usually available from churches on January 6th (a donation is customary). You can read about this practice here. You can use the paper provided at the English Mass to use the blessed chalk and mark your own door.
It is customary to make a donation to the parish during Kolęda visits, except in the diocese of Opole. This is done by enclosing your donation in a sealed envelope. There is no standard donation; it is voluntary (not obligatory; if you cannot afford a donation, you can still invite the priest! Do not let a lack of money stop you from having this visit.) The amount is at the discretion of the householder. You don’t put your name on the donation; it is anonymous. No one will know how much you donate.
If you are visited by a priest from your local parish, the traditional procedures will be expected: having a white cloth with a crucifix, Bible and candles; possibly having your own holy water and something to sprinkle it with; a donation in an envelope; a donation (in coin) for any altar-servers who accompany the priest. The priest may register you as a member of the parish during the visit (if you are not already registered), asking you the names and ages of members of the household, if they have all the sacraments they should have, and if there is anything the family needs from the parish. Children may be asked questions about their understanding of their religious formation as well. Also, typically these visits last about 15 minutes, as the priest usually has many visits to make in an evening (after all his regular parish duties are done). Kolęda visits may be a good time to get the priest’s contact details and invite him for a further visit, but it is usually NOT possible for a priest to have a meal or tea, etc., as he has many people to visit in each place, and is usually walking from flat to flat, possibly until rather late in the evening.