Virtual St. Joseph's Altar 2009

A long standing tradition in Sicily & some other parts of Southern Italia & later here in the USA when Italiano immigrants came here is the St. Joseph Altar.

These beautifully decorated altars are made to honor the Patron Saint of carpenters, fathers and Sicily to name a few. They have been around for centuries, & are a labor of love by Sicilians who create them to give thanks for good fortune, fulfill a promise or just to share with those who are less fortunate.

Legend states that during the Middle Ages there was a severe drought and famine in Sicily. The people of the region prayed to St. Joseph asking him to put an end to the drought & famine that had plagued the area. If he would do so they would honor him by having a giant feast. St. Joseph answered their prayers and the people of Sicily kept their word. They prepared a giant feast in which everyone was invited including the poor. As part of the feast they erected an altar that consisted of three levels. The three levels, which represent the Holy Trinity, were draped in white linen and covered with flowers.

A variety of foods were prepared, but none of them contained meat because the feast was held during lent. Of all the things prepared for the feast the most beautiful part is the cuccadati made by the people. The cuccadati are loaves of bread that are formed and decorated in a variety of symbolic shapes like a staff or crown of thorns. The cuccadati are used to decorate Le Vastedde, which is a Sicilian tradition that consists of latticework covered with branches of myrtle, bay leaves, oranges, lemons and the small decorative breads. (St. Joseph's Altar @ Italiansrus.com)

Breads, cakes and cookies, baked in symbolic Christian shapes, are prepared for the Altar. Pastries in the shapes of monstrances, chalices, crosses, doves, lambs, fish, bibles, hearts, wreaths and palms adorn the tiers of the Altar. Symbols of St. Joseph - such as lilies, staffs, sandals, ladders, saws, hammers and nails - are also used. There is symbolism in many of the items on the Altar. Breadcrumbs rerpresent the sawdust of St. Joseph the Carpenter. Twelve whole fish represent the apostles. Wine is symbolic of the Miracle at Cana.

The Altar is set up in three tiers, representing the Holy Trinity. A statue of St. Joseph is placed on the top tier, usually surrounded by flowers, greenery & fruit.

The Altar is a medium of petition and thanksgiving. Petitions of the faithful are written on pieces of paper and placed in baskets on the Altar. Photos of deceased relatives & friends may decorate the Altar as well. (History of the St. Joseph Altar)

In 1999 a Virtual St. Joseph Altar was set up by Evann Duplantier. Every year you can go to the site & make a virtual offering as well as place a petition for deceased relatives, friends or other needs. the 2009 Altar is scheduled to open today.

The site gives you an excellent virtual altar. There are also links for articles about the altar, pictures of altars & recipes related to the Feast of San Giuseppe on 19 March. & if you get the chance to see a real one, please do.

With all the attacks on marriage, the family & the unborn, we need the powerful intercession of San Giuseppe all the more. Here is an excellent opportunity to honor him & ask for his intercession. Honoring him is honoring Jesus & honoring God for what He did through San Giuseppe to bring about our salvation.

Viva San Guiseppe!