|
St. Joseph's Day
March 19
Western
Christianity celebrates Saint Joseph's Day, the Feast of St. Joseph,
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, La Festa di San Giuseppe in Italy, and Jum
San Ġużepp in Malta on March 19th. Saint Joseph was the spouse of
the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This is the also the feast day for
persons named Joseph or derivatives of Joseph as well as, for schools
and parishes names after St. Joesph, and for carpenters.
An
altar, in three tiers symbolizing the Holy Trinity, display a statue
of St. Joseph, candles, fava beans, breads and pastries, baskets,
lilies and other flowers, carpentry tools, pineapple symbolizing
hospitality, lemons or limes for luck, bread and wine symbolizing the
Last Supper.
St.
Joseph's Day is a big feast day for Italians. According to legend,
St. Joseph saved the Sicilians from a famine cause by a serious
drought by bring rain during the Middle Ages. The fava bean crops
saved the people from starving. Foods traditionally served are fava
beans, foods with breadcrumbs which represent sawdust), and zeppole
(cream filled pastries with a cherry on top). Wearing red is also
customary.
In Spain this is Father's Day, referring to St.
Joesph. In Valencia, Falles is celebrated. The term Falles refers to
both the celebration and the monuments created during the
celebration.
created on March 23, 2009 |
