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Viva la tavola di San Giuse!
After the morning Masses at St. William the Abbot's parish, Seaford, St. Joseph's bread was blessed and distributed. The first photo shows Fr. Bala blessing the bread after the first Mass. School children, parents, and parishioners attended the second Mass.
A typed handout explained:
Saint Joseph is one of the most beloved saints among Italian-Americans. As the patron of workers and the protector of the family, he is honored with a feast on March 19. It began when there was a severe drought in Sicily in the middle ages. In desperation, people asked St.Joseph, their patron, to intervene. They promised if rain came, they would prepare a big feast in his honor. The tradition says these prayers were answered with rainy weather. In gratitude, huge banquet tables were set up in public, and poor people were invited to come and east as much as they wanted.
Generosity marks this day, as it did the character of Joseph himself. In many nations, it's a day of sharing with the poor and needy, and nowhere is this bettr carried out than in the nation that perhaps loves the most, Italy. In many villages, especially in Sicily, every one of any means contributes to a table spread in the public square as an offering for favors received for prayers to this kindly saint. The bread made for this day represents Jesus. The guests are orphans, widows, or beggars. After Mass, all go in procesion to this festive table. After the priest blesses the feast, all shout, "Viva la tavola di San Giuse!" Every guest is given something to take home.
