La Tavala di San Giuseppe at St. Augustine Church, New City

By Jeannine Rippa

St. Joseph’s Day (Father’s Day in Italy) always occurs during Lent on March 19th. The tradition of the St. Joseph Table originated in Sicily where Sicilians thanked St. Joseph for the end of the devastating drought. The tradition also emphasizes that no one can be turned away from a St. Joseph Table. The two unchanging pieces of the St. Joseph Table are no meat and various breads and pastries in symbolic shapes.  

After 9 a.m. daily mass at St. Augustine Church, Maple Ave., New City, a St. Joseph table was set up in the entrance foyer. Fr. Bill Cosgrove is the pastor.