Parishes celebrate St. Joseph’s Day (Photos)
St. Joseph’s Day, celebrated worldwide on March 19, commemorates the life of St. Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary and earthly father of Jesus Christ. For Italians, the feast day holds a special significance, particularly for Sicilians, who call him their patron saint.
Around the Archdiocese of Newark, Catholics commemorate this day by erecting traditional altars, also called the St. Joseph’s Table or “la tavala di San Giuseppe” in honor of the saint.
The tradition of St. Joseph’s Day traces back to Sicily during the Middle Ages. Legend has it that during a severe drought and famine, the people prayed to St. Joseph for relief and vowed to hold a special feast in his honor if their prayers were answered. When the rains finally came, they expressed their gratitude by setting up tables or altars laden with food. This event became an annual celebration observed around St. Joseph’s Day.
The focal point of the festivity is a table or altar adorned with an array of pastries and bread meant to be shared with loved ones, strangers, and the less fortunate. The bread may be shaped like St. Joseph’s staff or a crown of thorns. As a nod to the Lenten season coinciding with St. Joseph’s Day, the table traditionally features no meat dishes.
At Our Lady of Mount Virgin Roman Catholic Church (OLMV) in Garfield, parishioners celebrated the 28th annual St. Joseph’s Day Dinner on March 16, in honor of the saint and his upcoming feast day. The celebration included prayer, food, games, and a memorial for loved ones who have passed on.
“This year is the 28th year of the dinner and the eighth year of the Tavola,” said Lisa Buona, a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Virgin who volunteers with the St. Joseph Dinner every year. “This has turned into a true labor of love in honor of St. Joseph… on the table, we place foods and photos of people dear to us whose memory we put into St. Joseph’s hands.”
According to Buono, the tavola, established in 2015, was the brainchild of OLMV pastor Father Peter Palmisano’s sisters, Libera Milito and Michele Fazio, and their close friend Felicia Rubino. The tavala was established in honor of their late sister, Julia Palmisano, and Michele’s first husband, Ricardo Quintana. Each year, parishioners have the chance to dedicate the table in honor of loved ones they have lost and wish to remember by making a donation.
“Using this age-old tradition, we honor our ancestors, remember our friends and family, pray for good luck, and thank St. Joseph for the good fortune we have already received,” Buona said.
