From St. Patrick’s Day to St. Joseph’s Day

Now that St. Patrick’s Day green is celebrated and the bagpipes exhausted, it is time to focus on St. Joseph Day, March 19th. St. Joseph’s Day is the patron saint of home, family, hard work and carpentry. The day honors Jesus’ foster father, Joseph. In Sicily, my ancestors’ homeland, a bountiful table of bread, fruit and meatless dishes is set in thanksgiving to St Joseph for assisting families in times of crisis and hardship. 

Over the years I learned that my old world families did not claim their actual birth dates. Baptism dates sufficed and made official in the church records. For many, a baptism date landed on a holiday or a saint’s day. My great grandma believed St. Joseph’s Day was her birthday. It was the beginning of spring—her favorite time of year. When you start a new life in an unknown world, you can make up these little details. 

In my book, The Heart of Bakers and Artists, Papa’s birthday is on St. Joseph’s Day. His daughters and wife prepared a feast of macaroni, bread and cake for Papa and St. Joseph. Extended family join the party.

In honor of St. Joseph’s Day, I would like to thank my readers. Download Chapter One of The Heart of Bakers and Artists, FREE, by signing up for my almost monthly newsletter, Stories Served Around The Table News to Nosh. This offer is good until the St. Joseph’s cakes are gone (probably by Palm Sunday, March 24th). Click HERE for your free Chapter One

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