A newly formed group, the Young Italians of Western New York will hold its First Annual St. Joseph’s Celebration on Thursday, March 18th, from 6 – 10PM at Fontana’s Ogden Restaurant (formerly Bill Ogden’s Restaurant), 1834 William Street, Buffalo.
Limited tickets ($15) to the event are available. Proceeds will help fund the Patrick Paladino Memorial Italian-American Scholarship. For tickets, call Tom Mazzone at 716.310.3102 or Tracey Cavalleri at 716.353.3002. For more information on the event or to become a member of the organization, go to the website (above).
The event will feature festive food and customs; upon a typical St. Joseph’s Day altar, people place flowers, limes, candles, wine, fava beans, specially prepared cakes, breads, and cookies (as well as other meatless dishes), and zeppole (a Sicilian pastry). Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent sawdust, since St. Joseph was a carpenter.
Because the feast occurs during Lent, traditionally no meat was allowed on the celebration table. The altar usually has three tiers, to represent the trinity.
History of St. Joseph’s Day:
Many Italian St. Joseph’s Day traditions stem from the Middle Ages. In Sicily, where St. Joseph is regarded by many as their Patron Saint, and many Italian-American communities, thanks are given to St. Joseph (“San Giuseppe” in Italian) for preventing a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. During the famine in Sicily, when food was scarce and many people were starving, the poor people had only their faith to rely on. St. Joseph was known as the protector of the Holy Family, and Italians with strong family relationships prayed for St. Joseph to intercede for them, in an effort to ensure successful crops. Their prayers were answered, and the famine came to an end. In gratitude, people promised to make annual offerings of their most precious possession – food – in St. Joseph’s honor.
Little is said in the gospel about Joseph, except that he was a descendant of David and a carpenter by trade. Legends provide additional details about Joseph’s life. He supposedly was a widower of advanced age when he was chosen by God to wed Mary. According to one legend, Mary’s many suitors left their staffs in the temple one night so that God could indicate who she should marry. The next morning, Joseph’s staff blossomed with white flowers and leaves and sent forth a white dove, indicating that he was the chosen one. This explains why statues of St. Joseph typically show him holding the Christ Child and a stalk of white lilies and why this day is a common celebration of fathers throughout the Christian world.
March 19th is said to be St. Joseph’s birthday and is celebrated as St. Joseph’s Day. The feast of St. Joseph also marks the beginning of spring in many countries.
Top Image: Young Italians of Western New York President Tom Mazzone, Vice President Tracy Cavalleri and Treasurer Josephine Ciffa