"Setting a Table For St. Joseph" Mar 18, 2022

Setting a Table for St. Joseph

The St. Joseph's Altar is a Sicilian tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Sicily is a rocky island with erratic weather conditions which brought either droughts or torrential rains. The Sicilians' mere existence was a daily struggle. A lengthy famine seized the island and the dry, cracked earth yielded no life-giving crops. The starving farmers had only their deep faith remaining. They prayed to St. Joseph, the patron saint of Italy, to intercede to God for them.

Their prayers were answered as gentle rains fell to fill dry wells and streams and gave birth to crops. Even coastal fishermen pulled in abundant catches where there had been no fish. These poor farmers and fishermen wanted to pay homage to St. Joseph for answering their prayers. Since their very being was dependent on a fruitful harvest and the yield from the sea, they decided to offer these, their most valuable possessions to St. Joseph. An altar was constructed and foods that were common became elaborately decorated feasts for the eye as well as the palate.

Even though at times it was a great sacrifice, the tradition continued as a labor of love and devotion on the Feast Day of St. Joseph, March 19th. At first the altars were erected in family homes, usually in thanksgiving for favors granted, such as deliverance from the ravages of war or the healing of body or spirit of a loved one. When the Sicilians emigrated to the United States over a century ago, they brought this custom with them. These altars flourished in the New Orleans areas where the tradition continues today.

Despite hurricanes and pandemics, altars are still used to thank St. Joseph for answering a prayer or to ask for help. Those who cannot build their own altar are able to keep their promises to St. Joseph by working on altars in their community or church. The 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. At the center of the last and highest table is a statue of St. Joseph or a picture of the Holy Family.

Some altars are created out of a custom called questua, which means “searching” or “seeking.” Instead of buying the ingredients and materials for the altar, one begs for them, further humbling oneself in an act of poverty. This recalls the impoverishment of the starving Sicilians who initially asked for St. Joseph’s help. It also reminds the person on the questua of the purpose of the altar – to feed the hungry. Some celebrations include tupa tupa (or knocking). Here, children dressed up like Jesus, Joseph, and Mary knock on doors until finally being welcomed in to eat.

Altars are set up in both churches and private homes and are laden with a bounty of foods associated with St. Joseph. Bread is shaped like crosses, Joseph’s staff, and his carpenter’s tools, including saws, hammers, and ladders. (St. Joseph’s bread is believed to have special intercessory powers. Throwing a morsel into a storm is believed to have the power to calm the winds. A piece kept in the house is supposed to ensure that the family will never be without food. A breadcrumb topping called mudrica, is sprinkled on pasta Milanese, representing the sawdust of the carpenter.) Palms and lily plants typically adorn the altar. Vigil candles, usually green, brown and dark yellow, accompany the flowers, representing the colors of St. Joseph.

Other symbolic foods include cakes shaped like lambs and covered in coconut, which represent the sacrifice of Christ. You’ll also find pastries formed like the pierced heart of the Mater Dolorosa, pignolatti resembling the pinecones Jesus is said to have played with as a child, whole fish symbolizing the Miracle of Multiplication, and wine recalling the feast at Cana. Swiping a lemon from the altar ensures one will meet the person you are destined to marry before the next St. Joseph’s Day, and each visitor takes away a dry, roasted fava bean for good luck. The intersection of luck, generosity, and a reminder of the needs of others all embody the meaning of this day.

It is quite fitting, then, that the Solemnity of St. Joseph occurs during Lent, a time of reflection, humility, and almsgiving. Please join us at Divine Mercy Parish for our St. Joseph Day Altar. Our Altar will be available for viewing in the Narthex of Church beginning today Friday, March 18th from 12 Noon - 8pm and on Saturday, March 19th from 9am - 5pm.

Fr. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor
Divine Mercy Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School