Blog: Dolores Milazzo-Hicks
Everybody knows about St Patrick's Day but how many of you celebrate with equal vigor St Joseph's Day on March 19th. In case you have been uninformed all these years this is a big Italian Feast Day. Two days after the feast of the great Irish saint comes the day of the carpenter of Nazareth,h Saint Joseph, "the just man," of whom the Gospels say little but who is beloved by generations of Italians and Italian-Americans. He is known as the protector of the young Mary and her Child.
The tradition of a St. Joseph's Day began when there was a severe drought in Sicily in the middle ages. In desperation, people asked St. Joseph, their patron, to intervene. They promised, if rain came, they would prepare a big feast in his honor. The tradition says these prayers were answered with rainy weat her. In gratitude, huge banquet tables were set-up in public and poor people were invited to come and eat as much as they wanted. Today, special foods, linens, flowers, and statuary adorn the St. Joseph's Altar which is built with three steps representing the Holy Trinity.
Generosity marks this day, as it did the character of Joseph himself. In many nations it's a day of sharing with the poor and needy, and nowhere is this better carried out than in the nation that perhaps loves the most: Italy.
In many Italian villages, especially in Sicily, everyone of any means contributes to a table spread in the public square as an offering for favors received from prayers to this kindly saint. The bread made for this day is often shaped like a scepter or a beard; villagers representing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are guests of honor at the feast, and other guests are the orphans, widows, or beggars.
After Mass, all go in procession to this festive table. After the priest blesses the feast, everyone shouts, "Viva la tavola di San Giuse!" then eats. At the end of the meal every guest is given something to take home.
For this feast, a unique minestrone is made; people add any vegetarian ingredients that happen to be handy to the soup. [This is the origin of a Sicilian expression minestra di San Giuse, i.e., confusion or chaos.
Although all kinds of lentils and dried beans are eaten on Saint Joseph's feast, cheese, usually a popular a part of the Italian diet, is not served; instead of grated Parmesan, this minestrone is served with dry toasted bread crumbs.
In the Birmingham area many individuals and some church groups sponsor altars and give to various charities in the city. So if you get an opportunity to attend one of these celebrations go and enjoy the feast! |