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St Joseph's Day Altar planned for March 18 & 19 |
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Tuesday, 17 March 2009 09:55 |
All are welcome to visit and place prayer petitions on the St Joseph's Day Altar at the Community Center of St Bernard. St Joseph's Day Altars originated during the Middle Ages as a way to give thanks to St. Joseph for sending rain to end a drought and prevent a famine in Sicily. An important traditional part of St Joseph's Day Altars and traditions is the the fava bean, which legend says helped the people of Sicily survive the drought. A St Joseph's Day Altar usually has three tiers, to represent the trinity. Many traditional foods served at the Altar contain bread crumbs to represent saw dust since St. Joseph was a carpenter. Because the feast occurs during Lent, meat is not usually served at the celebration table.
This year the viewing for the Altar at the Community Center will be Wednesday, March 18 from 4 PM to 7 PM, and the meal will be served on Thursday, March 19 from noon to 7 PM. Donations of cakes, fish and signature dishes are needed. Anyone interested in volunteering to serve at the altar, or anyone who can help with baking or donating food should contact Mary Ann Pierce at 504.277.8106. |