Les Vieux Temps

Good Friday was usually the most sacred of the holidays in olden times. Our grandparents would never think about tilling the soil on that day. I remember being cautioned not to shave on that day because any form of cutting was to be avoided. Good Friday was the day when Christ died and digging in the dirt or working with sharp tools on that day was equivalent to re-opening Christ’s wounds.

I also remember other old customs associated with Good Friday. One of which was the planting of parsley. Our elders would carefully prepare a space in the garden or in a flower pot for several days prior to Friday in order to avoid digging in the dirt on that date. Then on Good Friday, the parsley seeds were carefully sprinkled in the loose dirt and gently patted. Within days the seeds would sprout and began to grow and according to legend, any parsley planted on that date would produce very few seeds and thus the leaves could be used for longer periods of time without tasting bitter.

Another custom was the covering of all mirrors with sheets the night before because a person was not supposed to see ones image.

In addition to the familiar superstitions, I found a few more from the internet. Children born on Good Friday are doomed to be unlucky. It is said that clothes washed on that day will not come out very clean because Christ cursed the washing of clothes on Good Friday after he was slapped in the face by a wet garment while being led to his crucifixion.

Comments about Les Vieux Temps articles are always appreciated. Please call 337-754-9980 or e-mail yknott123@aol.com