La Festa di San Giuseppe
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La Festa di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph's Day in English) is the feast day of St. Joseph. In Sicily, many Italian-American communities, and other Italian communities worldwide, thanks are given to St. Joseph ("San Giuseppe" in Italian) for preventing a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages.
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[edit] History
According to legend, there was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if he answered their prayers, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. The rain did come, and the people of Sicily prepared a large banquet for their patron saint. The fava bean was the crop which saved the population from starvation, and is a traditional part of St. Joseph's Day altars and traditions. Giving food to the needy is a St. Joseph's Day custom.
[edit] Traditions
In some Italian and Italian-American communities it is traditional to wear red clothing and eat a Sicilian pastry known as a Zeppole on St. Joseph's Day.
[edit] Altars
Upon a typical St. Joseph's Day altar people place flowers, limes, candles, wine, specially prepared cakes, and Zeppole; because the feast occurs during lent, no meat is allowed on the celebration table. The altar usually has three tiers, to represent the trinity.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- (English)St. Joseph's Day Table traditions
- (English)St. Joseph's Day Altars
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