St. Joseph's Day Altars by Anna Maria Chupa
PICTURE FROM ST. JOSEPH ALTAR MARCH 2010 IN GARYVILLE, LA
Background
St. Joseph's Day altar began as a custom brought to New Orleans by Sicilian immigrants. The tradition of building the altar to St. Joseph began as far back as the Middle Ages in gratitude to St. Joseph for answering prayers for deliverance from famine. The families of farmers and fisherman built altars in their homes to share their good fortune with others in need. The tradition grew to a more public event on St. Joseph's Feast Day on March 19. Today the individuals who work on the altars are fulfilling their own promises to St. Joseph "to share their blessings with those in need." Without exception, the altar workers explained that they contributed to the altars not for their own purposes but 'for St. Joseph' or for a family member or friend.
One tradition entails begging for the supplies to build the altar. The altar must not incur "any expense nor any personal financial gain."As an act of devotion to St. Joseph, supplicants would promise to build an altar should their sons return home from war safely. Part of the personal sacrifice involved was the act of begging for food.
Although there are perishable foods on the altars, a large portion of the breads, cookies and cakes are wrapped so that they may be given to charities after the altar is broken. The altar is broken after a ceremony which reenacts the Holy Family seeking shelter. The ceremony is called Tupa Tupa "which in Italian means Knock Knock." Children dressed in costume "knock at three doors asking for food and shelter. At the first two they are refused. At the third door, the host of the Altar greets them and welcomes them to refresh themselves."
Butler's Lives of the Saints lists St. Joseph as the patron saint of Families, Working Men, Social Justice, and the Church. St. Joseph is also the Patron Saint of the dying. Following the blessing of the altar on the afternoon of March 18, visitors are invited to leave written petitions to St. Joseph or donations for the poor.
(For full text click on St. Joseph's Day Altars by Anna Maria Chupa)
First Picture- Aunt Rose at St. Joseph Altar on Nashville Ave.
Others including one on top from Carl Monica's St. Joseph Altar in March 2010 in Garyville, LA.
Click here for recipe: Saint Joseph’s Bread - Cudureddi