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American Italian Museum and Research Library Three story building containing exhibits of the Italian Americans who contributed toward the establishment
of New
Orleans, Louisiana. Research books,
genealogy, photos
and family histories. |
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St. Joseph Altar - St. Joseph was the father of Christ and has been honored in some way prior to the middle ages. The first recorded church dedicated to St. Joseph was in 1129 but it was several hundred years later when he became better recognized and the date for St. Joseph's Day was set as March 19th. St. Joseph is the protector of the family. It is said he delivered the Sicilians from famine and drought, and he is honored for answering the prayers of Sicilians. Many people also pray to him and vow they will make an altar in return for help with a problem, which is celebrated as the Feast of St. Joseph.
Fava beans play an integral part of the celebration as this was the food that saved the Sicilians from starvation. Cookies and other meatless dishes such as stuffed artichokes, miriltons, pasta, fish, breads, pastries, cakes and other delicacies are prepared. The prepared food is displayed on special altars called St. Joseph's Altars. They are placed at homes, businesses and churches. Each altar is blessed by a priest and is presided over by a statue of St. Joseph. Some altars also have statues of Mary and Jesus as well. Notices are posted in newspapers and in other media inviting the public to view and partake of the food.
The St. Joseph Church in New Orleans is the most established Altar and offers a mass. All altars are not as elaborate, but what is most important is to celebrate thankfulness for God’s provisions and to be generous like Saint Joseph to the needy. One symbolic tradition is the lucky fava bean. The bean is said to bring good luck and it is believed that if the St. Joseph's daily bread is kept in the home, the family will never starve. Some altars only give away small bags of food or give people samples of each dish while others allow the visitors to eat a meal with them. Some invite special groups such as orphans, the elderly or the homeless to eat with them. It is the custom for those who can afford it to make a donation. At the end of St. Joseph's day, the food and money is donated to the poor. |
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Italian-American Parade - New Orleans, LA On the Saturday nearest March 19th, members of Italian Marching Clubs parade through the French Quarter throwing fava beans and doubloons and trading red, white and green carnations for kisses. |
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St. Rosalie Procession Sponsored by Frattelanza Italian de Santa Rosalia, a society started in 1902 to honor St. Rosalie who was credited with helping rid Sicily of cholera in 1620. The procession began in 1899 and its current President is Sam O’Shello for the past 43 years . A Mass is held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Kenner, LA.. After morning Mass, there is the procession and then a festival. It is held usually the second Sunday in September. |
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New Orleans history is well documented and it has an interesting collection of old churches from its Catholic influence. Visitors to Italy go to churches to find history and in New Orleans the community life can be found in its churches. Visit these New Orleans Churches online to plan your tour. |
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For more New Orleans events, visit
these web sites
NOLA Live.com
web site. Here is a
good
list of New Orleans festivals. Top festivals are the
French Quarter Festival,
Jazz Festival
and Mardi Gras.
New Orleans Events and Festivals offer the best timely planned tour
of the City’s culture. One of the
best experiences on your visit is the local cuisine found in
New Orleans restaurants.
Experience New Orleans the way locals do.
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