March 19th, right after Mardi Gras, a wonderful old Sicilian custom is created in churches and homes throughout Louisiana.  To honor St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, elaborate altars are prepared with traditional foods, wines, flowers, and breads to this patron of Sicily, who is known for delivering their ancestors from famine long ago.

According to most sources, the St. Joseph Altar or table started in the Middle Ages during a long drought and famine. The inhabitants were dying of starvation and invoked St. Joseph. for help. The rains began and the people were saved. To show their gratitude, they prepared a feast with the things they had grown from the harvest. After homage was paid to St. Joseph, the food was given to the poor and less fortunate. Another version is that the tradition began in 1282 after the islands rebellion against French rule, God causing the famine to punish the Sicilians for their acts against the French. Scholars agree that a group of Albanian refugees likely brought the St. Joseph Altar from Sicily fin the late 15th century.

Regardless of who made the first altar, ornamental breads shaped like carpenter tools, wreaths and fish, traditional cookies, cakes, other foods, wine, fruit and flowers are always found on the St. Joseph Altar. One must ‘beg” for the ingredients of the altar as it humbles the petitioner in the semblance of poverty and also recalls the starving of Sicily. St. Joseph rewards the outpouring of effort and charity and will intercede to help in recovery from everything: illness, childbirth, success in business, and safe return of soldiers. Everything is blessed on the altar and so, if you eat from the altar, you receive all these blessings.

I was taught by my best friend’s grandma while we helped bake that you must always have Pignolatti , ‘pine cone’ cookies and Cuccidati (Italian fig cookies), with all the specialty shaped breads, Biscotti in several flavors, Macaroons, Cream puffs, and Pasta made with anchovies or sardines is served as well. Stuffed Artichokes, eggplant, peppers and much more is served with the exception of no meat because of Lent. This is just a few examples of the foods prepared.

Symbolism and traditional significance is in everything! Here are a few examples; -The Fava bean was one of the only crops which survived the draught and therefore it has always been considered a lucky (mojo) bean. These are blessed and placed in a bowl for a person to take one to carry in his pocket for good fortune along with a St. Joseph Prayer card.

• Breadcrumbs (called “Mudrica”) used instead of Parmesan to symbolize sawdust of the carpenter.
• Ancestors pictures are always honored on the altar with “in memory” cakes placed strategically. Soldiers photos are positioned as well for safe return.
• Petition papers are found in a large bowl to ask for whatever one desires from St. Joseph.
• Cakes shaped like lambs and fish represent the “Miracle of Multiplication”
• Wine is for the wedding feast at Cana and Christ miracles - Pignolatti are for the pine cones Jesus played with as a child
• Lemons are for the single people to “steal’ from the altar so that they may find the person they are to marry before the next year’s altar!

I began these altars about 15 years ago and every few years on March 19th we have a large celebration then more personal altars between. We celebrate our birthdays with St. Joseph’s Feast day and we donate to our food bank monies collected from attendees and our own contribution. It was a wonderful custom to learn  and I treasure those sweet times with my friend learning from her precious grandmother.

St. Joseph is my patron Saint and my dearest guide. My father who watches me from heaven was named Joseph; my husband who is a carpenter daily says his prayer to St. Joseph and is always provided work as he requests. He has never failed me and it is my blessing to honor him on this day.

Should you wish to send a petition to Saint Joseph for this March 19th It will be placed on my altar for one year. You may email me at: Todomojo@gmail.com or the CONTACT page, or mail your paper, card, letter etc to: Sindy Todo #190, 6523 California Ave SW, Seattle WA 98136 or you can use the web form on the St. Joseph altar photos page where you will also find a Pay Pal donation button.

(My favorite, beautiful book and one that I have quoted from above is:    St. Joseph’s Altars, by Kerri McCaffety)