Joseph’s Table is an expression of gratitude for the simplest things in life, such as a crop of fava beans that grew at a time when the fields were otherwise dry and barren. The feast has been celebrated by Italians in New Orleans ever since. Joseph altar was built on the front steps of St. In New Orleans, for example, the first St. It is not merely a private celebration: In addition to private altars, public altars have been traditionally built at the village churches in Sicily and here in the United States.
Joseph’s Table is a celebration of family, in honor of the protector of families.
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(For more information about how to create the table, see the box on this page.)Īn important mark of a religious feast is its social dimension. Joseph’s Table is still celebrated today in many parts of the United States, and even where it is not, the memory of the feast persists, allowing for anyone to initiate this charming custom. The food that remains is given to the poor, along with any money that guests may have contributed. Joseph sfinge, which is a round cream puff filled with ricotta cheese or cream and adorned with candied fruits. Various soups made of lentils and vegetable dishes such as stuffed artichokes, broccoli and fennel, as well as the all-important fava bean, which is often served roasted and lightly salted, accompany the pasta.Īs with all things Sicilian, the meal is followed by a tasty assortment of desserts: various cookies, zeppole and the famous St. There are several names for this dish, but it is often called pasta con sarde, pasta con mudrica orpasta Milanese. The main course is a pasta dish containing sardines, tomatoes and fresh fennel, and sprinkled with breadcrumbs to represent the sawdust of a carpenter. Joseph falls during the Lenten season, meat is not a part of the meal. The various culinary treats that form the meal are each blessed by a priest thus the food is never to be thrown away or wasted. Bottles of wine are also placed upon the altar, as well as assorted fruits such as grapes and lemons. Some of these elaborate breads are not eaten as part of the meal, but later given to the poor. Joseph’s staff and various carpentry tools, a chalice, cross, monstrance, dove, lamb, fish or heart. Breads are formed and baked into the shapes of various Catholic symbols, such as a St. Vigil candles, usually green, brown and dark yellow, accompany the flowers, representing the colors of St. Palms and lily plants typically adorn each of the tables. The altar must never be a source of personal financial gain, and often it is customary for people to beg for supplies to build it. Often the altar is the result of a vow made in the previous year, in which an individual or family promised to build an altar if St. At the center of the last and highest table is a statue of St. Joseph’s table itself - also known as an “altar” - is traditionally comprised of three ascending tables, or “steps,” representing both the Holy Trinity and the ascent from earth to heaven.
All other attendees must wait until the Holy Family has finished their meal before they are allowed to eat. Joseph!”), which is heard throughout the day. The Holy Family enters the house and the bountiful feast begins with the cry, “Viva la tavola di San Giuseppe!” (“Long live the table of St. Come in and honor us with your presence.” The owner responds, “There is no room for you here.” The family proceeds to the second home, where the ritual is repeated, to the same response: “We have no room for you here.”įinally, the family approaches the third house where, after they knock, the host replies: “Welcome to this house. When asked who is there, they ex-claim, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph! We seek food and shelter.” The family approaches the first door and knocks.
The festival ritual begins by what is called tupa-tupa, or “knock-knock.” A group of poor or orphaned children is usually selected to portray the Holy Family, reliving their journey through the Holy Land for food and shelter. Joseph’s Table has been celebrated ever since. To offer their thanks the people prepared a special feast, inviting the poor and less fortunate among them to share in the meal. So bountiful the crop became that the famine ended. It was the only crop that would grow in such harsh conditions. Joseph helped them to survive by eating the fava bean. According to one tradition, during a famine brought on by a severe drought, starving villagers - many of them farmers - prayed to St. Joseph’s Table can be traced to the Middle Ages. The importance of this day in Catholic tradition extends throughout the world, but one related custom in particular originated on the island of Sicily: St. Joseph, protector of the family and patron of the universal Church and of workers. On March 19 each year Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of St.
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