ST JOSEPH ALTAR

HISTORY

The St. Joseph Altar is Sicilian in origin. During a terrible famine, the people of Sicily pleaded to St. Joseph , their patron saint, for relief. St. Joseph answered their prayers, and the famine ended. In gratitude, they prepared a table with the best foods they had harvested. After paying homage to St. Joseph , they distributed the food to the poor.

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.

No meat is prepared for the Altar. This is  because St. Joseph 's Feast falls in the Lenten Season and also because meat was a rarity to the Sicilian peasants. Fancy breads, cakes and cookies, baked in symbolic Christian shapes, are prepared for the Altar. Pastries in the shapes of monstrance’s, 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 represent the sawdust of St. Joseph the Carpenter. Twelve whole fish represent the apostles. Wine is symbolic of the Miracle at Cana .

The Altar is a medium for  petitions and thanksgivings. Petitions of the faithful are written in a book of petitions, or on pieces of paper and the book or pieces of paper are placed in a basket or  bowl and placed on the Altar. Photos of deceased relatives & friends may decorate the Altar as well.

The Goodie Bag:

Visitors to St. Joseph Altars are given small bags containing a few blessed items from the Altar. The bags usually contain a holy card and a small medal. Various blessed cookies or small breads and a fava bean.

The most interesting item found in the goodie bag is the fava bean. In Sicily , the fava was fodder for cattle. During a great famine the people resorted to eating them to survive. They were considered lucky to have fava's to eat, hence the fava bean is also known as a "lucky bean." Some believe that the pantry that contains a fava bean will never be bare, and if one is carried in the purse or pocket, you will never be without money. The fava, or lucky bean, serves as a token of the Altar - a reminder of God's provisions through the intercession of St. Joseph

ST  JOSEPH

Prayer to St. Joseph over 1900 years old

O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen

Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail.

This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1500's it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle.

Whoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle.

Make this prayer known everywhere.

Imprimatur
Most Rev. George W. Ahr
Bishop of Trenton

LITANY OF ST JOSEPH

Litany of Saint Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious Son of David, pray for us.
Light of the Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster-Father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Faithful Protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most courageous, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of working men, pray for us.
Ornament of the domestic life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of the family, pray for us.
Consoler of the miserable, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. He hath made him master of His house.
R. And ruler of all His possessions.

Let us pray.
O God, who in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our intercessor in Heaven, whom on earth we venerate as out most holy Protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Novena to Saint Joseph

O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach whil He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath, Amen.

O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (mention your intention)

Family activities for Saint Joseph 's Day

• Because a Novena to Saint Joseph resulted in deliverance from a famine in Sicily , the saint is particularly revered in Italy . It became a custom to make " Saint Joseph Altars" in family houses, and to have children dressed as Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking admittance to the "inn".
  Italian-American parishes often have special observances on this day -- usually involving blessed loaves of bread that are given to the people after Mass.

• In addition to including the Prayer to Saint Joseph (above) either with the meal prayers on this day, or at bedtime, we like to include special foods traditionally associated with Saint Joseph .
  
  Both traditional recipes following are from A Continual Feast by Evelyn Birge Vitz, originally published by Harper & Row in 1995, now available in paperback from Ignatius Press (see links page).
  
  Saint Joseph's rice fritters
  Frittelle Di San Giusepe
  
  2 1/4 cups milk
  1 cup raw rice
  Pinch of salt
  1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  1/4 cup sugar
  2 eggs
  1 tablespoon flour
  1 teaspoon baking powder
  2 tablespoons fruit brandy (optional)
  Grated rind of 1 large orange
  3 tablespoons golden raisins
  3 tablespoons pine nuts
  Oil for deep frying
  Confectioners' sugar
  
  Bring the milk to a boil in a saucepan. Add the rice, salt, vanilla, and granulated sugar. Cover the pan, and simmer gently until the rice is fully cool.)
  Mix the rice thoroughly with the eggs, flour, baking powder, brandy, orange rind, raisins, and pine nuts.
  Heat the oil to 375° F. for deep-fat frying. Drop the Frittelle mixture 1 tablespoon at a time into the oil. Cook a few at a time, keeping the Frittelle separate. Fry until golden brown.
  Drain the Frittelle on paper towels. Serve them hot, sprinkled with confectioners' sugar.

Yield: about 25 Frittelle

Pretzels

The pretzel represents the shape of the penitent's crossed arms, and was a traditional Lenten food in central European towns. Because the pretzel is shaped like arms folded in prayer, the German tribes who invaded Rome called the bracellæ "brezel'" or "prezel". Pretzels are traditionally eaten throughout Lent, and in some places are especially associated with Saint Joseph 's Day [March 19] which usually falls within Lent. A recipe for soft pretzels follows:
This recipe is for a chewy soft pretzel, like those hot pretzel vendors sell.

Combine in a mixing bowl:

1 cup warm water
1 package (1 1 1/2 T) active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar

Add and beat at least 3 minutes:

1 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
2 Tbsp soft butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar

Stir in 1 1/4 cups sifted all purpose flour and knead until the dough loses its stickiness.

Let the dough rise in a covered greased bowl until it is doubled in bulk (this is called "proofing" the dough). Punch down and divide it into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and form it into a pretzel shape. Place the pretzels on a greased baking sheet and let them rise until almost doubled in bulk. Preheat oven to 475°F.

In a large non aluminum kettle, prepare a boiling solution of

4 cups water

5 tsp baking soda

With a slotted spoon, carefully lower the pretzels into the water and boil about 1 minute or until they float to the top. Return them to the greased sheet. Sprinkle them with coarse salt. (Sea salt or Kosher salt.) Bake the pretzels until they are nicely browned, about 10-12 minutes. Pretzels are best when eaten while still warm, but they may be stored in an air tight container for up to a week, or frozen. (Makes twelve 6 inch pretzels)

I have wanted to put on a St Joseph altar for 17 years, and this year it came to reality. When my oldest son was dying, I didn't know how to handle it. I was totally distraught, to the point of total collapse in search of what and how to react to this situation thrust upon me with no warning. I had to be the support and the model for the rest of the family. After all, I was the father, and this was supposed to be my role as the leader.  The problem was "I" was trying to do everything "by myself". That I learned, and would never forget, was the greatest thing I would learn in my life.  While at the old Ben Taub hospital with him, I asked for a priest because I knew he was very sick, but was rudely told no one knew of a priest at that hospital, and if I wanted one I would have to find one myself. How? Where? My faith at that time was less than luke warm as Jesus speaks of, it was cold to tepid at the best.  I was catholic, but on the cafeteria side then, but not so today! I am a daily communicate, and try daily to keep my eyes and mind on Jesus. I went into a quiet place, and made a simple plea that day in 1989, I didn't even think of it as a prayer then, though now know it was, in all its simplicity. I said in sincerity, "St. Joseph, you are the father to Jesus, I am the father to Scott,  help me." I didn't even say please! At once, the change was so dramatic that even to this day I tear up when I think about it. The atmosphere changed from anger, hatred, anguish, disgust, disrespect, hostility, rudeness, dislike, coldness and contempt, to kindness compassion, consideration, respect, thoughtfulness, blessings, mercy, charity, friendship and love. My son was away from the church for 16 years, but through the intercession of St Joseph, and our holy mother, God heard my plea, without even a please, through Jesus from Whom  all things must pass to the Father  and Scott received the last sacraments of our church just  hours before he died. 

I made a promise during the days following that I would honor our Ladies grace by becoming a rosary maker, and to make 2000 rosaries. This was in 1989, and I can safely say that commitment has been fulfilled 10 times over in this year of 2007. My wife's uncle Phil, made  2500 rosaries by himself. On our rosary cross at our church, St Catherine of Siena in Houston, TX, since 1989, there has always been free rosaries for the taking from the cross. I think I can only remember one time in 17 years that there were no rosaries  on that cross, I immediately corrected that. I also promised a devotion to St Joseph, which I have not wavered on, but the ultimate veneration would be a St Joseph Altar, I have, until this year. You can't do this by your self, it take a lot of wonderful ladies and men working together, to do a St Joseph altar. I knew I sure couldn't do it by myself, and procrastinated for years. This year, through a mutual friend, I found my leader, and together, through the help of course of St Joseph we committed and the following is our fruits, I don't want to name all the wonderful people who worked in great spirits making our first altar such a success on the internet, just to bless each of them, God knows them by name. Here it is as it unfolded in 2007, 17 years after my first thought of the ultimate thanksgiving for favors granted. I did acquire the statue you will see in memory of Scott, but until this year it remained on a pedestal across from his blessed spouse. (I really think some of that pushing I was getting this year was coming from both sides, St Joseph, and his blessed spouse)

!

THE ALTAR WAS BARE

BUT NOT FOR LONG AS THE LADIES TOOK OVER!

AND THE MEN TOO!

DONE!

     IN MEMORY OF:

MY SON SCOTT COLLIGNON AND DEAR FRIEND WALTER MELNIK

FATHER BLESSES THE ALTAR

BLESSING OF THE ST. JOSEPH ALTAR

This is another version of the blessing of St. Joseph Altar or St. Joseph Table, a wonderful Sicilian tradition that can be found in many parts of the United States .

(The Blessing of the Altar usually takes place the evening before the feast, March 18th. If there is a procession to the Altar, a hymn may be sung on the way.)

Celebrant: O, glorious St. Joseph , we stand before this Altar with joyful and grateful hearts. We lovingly present to you the labor of our hands and the dedication of our hearts that have fashioned this Altar in your honor. We again place ourselves under your powerful protection. Help us follow your example of complete trust and faith in Divine Providence . Open our minds and hearts to love and serve the poor, the suffering and those rejected or ignored by society. As a family, teach us to love and honor each member of our families with the love and reverence you had for Jesus and Mary. As a nation, inspire in us the will and the way to live in peace with all nations of the world that in our day we can experience the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer--"Peace be to you." Grant this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

V.: O, Glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and the glory of His name,

R.: Hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
Celebrant: Lord Jesus, bless this Altar, all this food, the candles and all those who visit it. We ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(As the Altar is being blessed and incensed, the Litany of St. Joseph is said or a hymn is sung.)

All: Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my sweet protector, St. Joseph , that no one ever had recourse to your protection or implored your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in your goodness, I come before you and humbly supplicate you. O, despise not my petitions, foster father of our Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

(Now that the Altar is blessed, guests are invited to visit the Altar and offer their own prayers to St. Joseph .)

1ST ST JOSEPH ALTAR - ST CATHERINE OF SIENA 2007

OUR GOODIE BAG

CHAIR AND CO-CHAIR   BLESSED BY THE CHAIR!

THE ULTIMATE ST JOSEPH SITE! YOU MUST VISIT THIS DEDICATED SITE  TO ST JOSEPH

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE PIOUS UNION OF ST JOSEPH

I have been a member since 1989….look at these benefits of being a member!

ST JOSEPH ALTAR FOR 2008

FIRST HELPER OF THE DAY!

EVERYONE HELPED!

KITCHEN HELP

FATHER BLESSES THE ALTAR

LUNCH IS SERVED!                      

MA MA MIA!

"THE THREE ITALIANS"

MARY - PAT - ROSE MARIE

MARY HALL HAS ACCEPTED THE CHAIR FOR 2009 WITH SUPPORT FROM ALL !

ST JOSEPH ALTAR FOR 2008

ST JOSEPH ALTAR FOR 2009

MORE PICTURE CLICK HERE

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