St. Joseph Patron of The Working Man

La Festa di San Giuseppi

March 19 is the day the swallows return to Capistrano. An island off the coast of California.  The locals take note of that day with a festival to mark their return. It is also marks Saint Joseph's Day. A day held in high esteem by Italians and Americans of Italian decent.  It is a feast day on the calender of the Roman Catholic church.  It is also a feast day in the Anglican and Lutheran church. St. Joseph is the step father of Jesus and the husband of Mary, In some places it is also considered on a par or takes it's place as fathers days in southern romance language countries as Portugal Spain and Italy. It is also considered a patron saint in Canada and Poland.  Many cities in America celebrate the day in grand fashion. New Orleans being one of them.  St Joseph, a carpenter,  is considered to be the patron saint of the working man and those who are unemployed but seeking work. St Joseph was also the protector of Jesus and  his mother the blessed Mary.

The day is celebrated with offerings of food. For it was a famine that led Sicilians to pray in unison for the famine to end with a successful crop. Thus averting starvation for many at that time.  Gift s of fava beans, which represents the means by which the famine was averted. In many places, the return of migrating fish to spawning waters, St. Josephs Day marks the beginning of the return of  those species. Such as stripped bass and salmon. There are other stories and folk lore that are connected to a response to their prayers to St. Joseph. Red is the color of the day and celebrants wear the color red. Much as St. Patricks Day celebrants wear green.

Traditionally a table is set for the day. Either at home or in a public setting or church. St. Joseph's Day falls during lent and therefore the feast is meatless. Some of the traditional dishes are artichokes stuffed with seasoned breadcrumb and cheese.  Anther is a pasta dish that is made with fennel and anchovies or what some call sardi. A small fish similar to sardines.  A very popular dish native to southern Italy. primarily Naples, Calabria and Sicily.  Fava beans are also included in the menu.  Breads also mark the day and fill the table.  There are pastries called sfingi zeppoli that are filled with a custard cream or a ricotta cream. They are delicious. It would be wise to save your appetite to enjoy a cup of espresso and one of these tasty pastries. Although Italian feasts and other feasts go on for ever and there is plenty of time to rest, and digest and start again.

Happy St. Patty's Day

Great To Be Irish

St. Patrick's Day.

On this day everyone is a wee bit Irish.  In New York City it is celebrated almost as a national holiday  As it is in Ireland. There is a St. Patricks Day parade that marches up 5th ave. A full retinue of green wearing folks, Irish or not. Representing all sorts of organizations. From the men and ladies of N.Y.C . finest to high schools that represent the Roman Catholic Church. The mayor comes out and marches out in front along with the Grand Marshall of the parade. There are bag pipes squealing in melodious harmony. Played by kilt dressed marches. It is the end of lent so there is plenty of imbibing of  beer and other alcoholic concoctions. Of course the reviewing stand is maned by those who have enough importance to " get the good seats ". People lined up at the curb enjoy all that is to be enjoyed. It is a fine example of cultures joining with other cultures and fun for all.

New Yorkers and others have been celebrating the day since the early 18th century. Contrary to what people might think. The celebration has only taken hold in this manner in Ireland starting in 1997.  In Canada it has been celebrated since 1824.  In South America's Argentina. The 5th largest concentration of Irish in the world outside Ireland.  The day is well celebrated in ways similar to other places.  The shamrock being one of the symbols of St. Patrick's day represents the holy trinity. It was this that St. Patrick used to teach polytheistic Irish in the 5th century about the holy trinity.

The day is also held as a holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church and recognized as a feast day.
It is recognized by several sects of Christianity including the Eastern Orthodox Church,  Anglican and Lutheran Church as well as the the Church of Ireland.  The wearing of the green reflects back to when during a revolution in the late 1700's the men of the cause wore green uniforms. It is also related to wearing a shamrock on St. Patty's Day.  Ironically  St. Patrick was not Irish at all. He was Romano British and was brought to Ireland as a slave when a young boy.  Then escaping to go on to become a priest and his ministry then was to bring Christendom to the pagan Irish in 432 AD. 

There are many private entities that sponsor the parades. Companies and individuals alike. Fund the celebration.  It is truly a great day for the Irish and for all.  A great holiday celebration that promises to be around for a long time as long as the secularist keep their nose out of it and ruin it for everyone.

Pope # 266 Is Latin American Italian. Back to Basics

266 th Pope

Pope Francis

With the election today of Pope Francis. The Roman Catholic Church has a leader that they have been without since the retirement of Pope Benedict. The first Pope that has emerged from the New World in over 2000 years of Church history. Was elected after just 24 hours after the start of the conclave. Jorge Mario Bergolio from Argentina.  Son of Italian immigrants that were among almost 5 million that immigrated to that country in the late 1800's and 1900's. One fifth of the population of Argentina, South America, being of Italian decent. Those of German and Spanish decent and Mestizos, making up the rest of the population. The Pope is a Jesuit priest that chose the name Francis. To reflect the man, Francis di Assisi. Who took on the task of reorganizing the church . In it's time of turmoil. The name Francis also reflects Francis Xavier the founder of he Jesuit order.  An order sometimes deep in the politics of many countries. Almost to the extent of being banned from some countries.

A conservative cleric that now heads the church. Is a simple man who lived simply as a Cardinal in apartments in the Argentine capital. He is strong advocate of the poor and is against same sex marriages and abortion.  Against many of the liberal secular efforts of the government to provide contraceptives and gay adoption.  Speaking out against human rights abuses and treatment of the poor.  He started off his appearance on the balcony greeting throngs of people that waited for his appearance.  Saying in Italian, " Bona Sera. Asking them to pray for him. He is the first Pope taking the name Francis, so there will be no Roman numerals after his name, as we have seen so often in the past.