NIHCS | Feast of St. Joseph

This is the year of St. Joseph and St. Joseph’s Day is upon us again, March 19.  We will not be denied the day, celebrated by Italians in different parts of the U-S, particularly in New Orleans.

Please join Nativity Italian Heritage and Cultural Society (NIHCS) this month on a special date, March 18, for  La Festa di San Giuseppe, the Feast of St Joseph.  This year we will host an enriching Zoom program at, 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 18.

NIHCS member Kathleen Powers, native of New Orleans, will bring us sights and traditions of St. Joseph’s Day as celebrated in her hometown and elsewhere.

We’ll prepare you for St. Joseph’s Day with a glimpse of St. Joseph’s Table, an altar with buffet, thanking St. Joseph for bringing rain after a devastating drought in Sicily many years ago. The observation originated in Sicily when there was a long drought in 1309, threatening famine. Sicilians prayed to St Joseph for rain, and rain was granted. They thanked him by providing a banquet of local favorites, such as fig dishes, fava beans, rich pastries and fried dough. They decorated tables with flowers.

Something to keep in mind — traditionally people wear red to this event.

Members will receive Zoom link and reminder later this month. Non-members are welcome by sending a request to togolf@aol.com to receive a Zoom link.