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St.
Joseph, the foster father of Christ, patron saint of carpenters,
fathers, the family, workers, and pastry cooks, is honored in Italy
and by Italian Americans throughout the U.S. on March 19th. His
feast day is celebrated with feasting, merrymaking and helping the
needy. Festivities vary from region to region throughout Italy.
In Sicily, each village selects a young boy and a girl who holds
a baby doll to portray the Holy Family. On
March
19th, the three dressed as Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus mount a mule
and parade through the village re-enacting the search for a room
in the inn. In celebration, everyone contributes to "la tavola
di San Giuseppe", (St. Josephıs table/altar) a meatless feast
which is given to those in need. The statue of St. Joseph is placed
in the center of the table surrounded by breads in many shapes,
pasta with fennel, cakes, stuffed artichokes and sfingi pastries
with ricotta. "La tavola di San Giuseppe" goes back to
the middle ages when, according to tradition, a severe drought left
most residents of western Sicily dying of thirst and starvation.
Many prayed to St. Joseph for rain. Their prayers were answered
and in thanksgiving, the tradition of St. Josephıs table began.
Since the fava bean grew well in the rocky soil of Sicily, the life-saving
crop be-came associated with St. Josephıs Feast Day. Hence the custom
of carrying the fava bean for good luck became a legendary part
of the St. Joseph celebration.
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