Seder meal continues to unite Catholic and Jewish faith communities

Once again, a Catholic community in Monmouth Junction is emulating its Jewish forebears by hosting a traditional Seder meal during Holy Week.

St. Cecilia Parish held their eleventh evening of prayer, food, music and fellowship March 27 under the guidance of pastor Father Charles T. O’Connor. Seder organizer Dr. Carol Funk explained the purpose of the celebration “is to honor our roots in Judaism and celebrate the meaning, prayers, ritual, and food that are so significant to our Mass and our Catholic liturgy.”

The event draws faithful from the parish, other area Catholic churches, even those from other faith backgrounds in a spiritual tapestry which reflects the diversity of the Garden State. “For me, it has been a thrilling experience to see how it has grown into a joyous event that touches our roots, shares liturgy and builds our faith community,” Funk said.

The Seder meal was modeled upon the foods and traditional prayers found in Jewish homes around the world and through the centuries as they mark the redemption and liberation of Jews from their Egyptian captors. The Passover Seder celebrated by Jesus before his crucifixion, the Last Supper, was when he instituted the Eucharist.

Participants were seated at tables labelled with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel: Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Judah, Levi, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon and Zebulon. Each table was adorned with tapered candles, a bottle of wine, and a communal plate upon which ritual foods rested.

Father O’Connor, with a prayer shawl (tallit) upon his head, led the group in the song “Gadol Elohai (How Great is our God)” in the Hebrew tongue, beseeching the people to love the Lord with their whole mind, soul and strength, and to love their neighbor as themselves. Blowing into a shofar, or ram’s horn, was followed by passing of a communal plate and readings from the Book of Exodus which described the first Passover while explaining the symbolism behind the foods consumed: egg, for sacrifice and the circle of life; bitter herbs, for a reminder of the suffering Jewish slaves endured; charoset, a mixture of apples, nuts and honey, which represents the sweetness of freedom; and matzoh, or unleavened bread, symbolizing the Jews’ flight. 

Four cups of wine were consumed throughout the meal, recalled the four terms in the Exodus story which described God’s actions in rescuing the Israelites: He brought out, He saved, He delivered and He redeemed. “Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe,” the people said in response.

Children, too, participated in the ritual; one youngster was appointed to ask the four traditional questions at the feast, beginning with, “Why is this night different than any other night,” to focus the attendees’ prayer and contemplation of the ritual actions. Distribution of Passover coloring books in English and Spanish, as well as an altar bread recipe encouraged those in attendance to learn more about their ancestors of faith. The evening concluded with those assembled dancing the hora (Israeli circle dance) and a potluck dinner. 

St. Cecilia parishioner Brenda Rebello said, “I had never witnessed a Seder before, and it was the most beautiful tradition our church started, honoring our Jewish roots and celebrating our Christian faith in the Holy Eucharist. We have seen the Seder grow in numbers and attended by young and old from several parishes, as well as our Jewish brothers and sisters. It’s a beautiful way to lead us into the Triduum.”