St. Joseph's Day Foodways (2)

Summary:

The St. Joseph's Day Table is a primarily Italian American tradition that honors the saint on his feast day, March 19. It recalls the answer to prayers for rain from drought-stricken faithful in Sicily in the Middle Ages, and their subsequent offering of a meal for travelers, strangers, the poor and the entire community in thanksgiving. This slideshow gives a sampling of the food traditions associated with the holiday, their symbolism and current practice in western New York.

In the Roman Catholic Church, March 19 marks the feast day of St. Joseph, husband to Mary, foster father to Jesus, and the patron saint of carpenters, the poor, travelers, and of Palermo, Sicily.
St. Joseph’s Day altar, Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2014. In the Roman Catholic Church, March 19 marks the feast day of St. Joseph, husband to Mary, foster father to Jesus, and the patron saint of carpenters, the poor, travelers, and of Palermo, Sicily.