When did the Saint Joseph’s Day start?
About Saint Joseph’s Day Holiday
Saint Joseph's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world including Mexico, Spain, and Italy. The day is celebrated on March 19th, honoring Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. It is a religious holiday that is also celebrated as a secular holiday as a day to recognize the role of fathers in society.
The celebration of Saint Joseph’s Day is usually accompanied by special devotional ceremonies, prayers and feasts. Families often make a special bread on this day in the shape of a “J,” using either wheat or corn dough. The bread is then blessed by a priest before being eaten or offered to visitors. Many churches in Italy also mark the day with processions carrying statues of Saint Joseph through the streets.
In Spain, Saint Joseph’s Day is celebrated with special meals and dances. Participating families share a meal of foods made with almonds, olives, figs, and grapes. The meal usually finishes with a sweet almond-based dessert accompanied by sweet Spanish wine. Dance gatherings also begin on Saint Joseph's Day and continue throughout the entire month of March.
Saint Joseph’s Day – Introduction
Saint Joseph’s Day is celebrated on March 19th all around the world in many communities. It is also known as the Festival of Saint Joseph and is a major liturgical and holiday in the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, carpenters, and the sick. This day is celebrated with special prayers, offerings, and celebrations as a way of honoring St. Joseph.
History and Origin
The feast of St. Joseph was first celebrated in the year 1600 by order of Pope Clement VIII. This feast is believed to have been celebrated since the Middle Ages, when Christianity had become popular. The date of March 19 was chosen because it is the day of St. Joseph’s death, although some Eastern churches celebrate a different date.
The original intention of the feast was to honor Saint Joseph as the foster father of Jesus, as well as a symbol of the ideal Christian father. Since then, the day has grown to become a celebration not only of the man, Saint Joseph, but also of Christian fatherhood and home life.
Significance and Meaning
Traditionally, Saint Joseph’s Day is a day of prayers and thanks for the intercession of St. Joseph in human affairs. The date of the celebration has been set aside specifically for families to thank St. Joseph for his protection and Divine guidance. It is also a day to ask St. Joseph to intercede for all the fathers in the world, and for his continued blessings on their families.
The celebration of St. Joseph is also seen as a time to celebrate the foundational values of Christian marriage and fatherhood, an ideal situation for children. This is why there are often special religious services and prayers offered on this day.
Traditions and Celebrations
There are many traditional customs that are associated with Saint Joseph’s Day. One of the most commonly practiced customs is to have a special meal on this day to honor St. Joseph. This usually includes a white table cloth and white candles lit in his name. The food served is often traditional Italian dishes, as St. Joseph is the patron saint of Italy. This meal also usually includes baked goods such as St. Joseph’s Buns, which are small round buns decorated with a cross and glazed in sugar.
In some areas there are traditional celebrations that include the ringing of church bells and street processions. The feast of St. Joseph is often marked with public Masses and special sermons. Also, many families who observe this day may pray special rosaries or novenas in his honor, or even light a candle for him.
Geographical Spread
The celebration of St. Joseph’s Day is widespread, but is particularly popular in Italy, South and Central America, mainland and Mediterranean Europe, and the United States. In Italy, the 19th of March is a public holiday dedicated to St. Joseph and is celebrated annually. In some European countries, including Belgium, France, and Spain, the main celebration of Saint Joseph is held on March 19 while additional observances take place over the course of the month.
In the United States, Saint Joseph’s Day is celebrated primarily in Italian-American households, as well as many Latin and Spanish communities. Major cities with large Italian-American populations such as Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco often have parades and festivals dedicated to St. Joseph.
Modern-Day Observations
Today, Saint Joseph’s Day is still celebrated in many countries. Families will gather to eat traditional meals, pray special prayers in his honor, and enjoy various festivals and parades that are put on in honor of Saint Joseph. In the digital age, many families now are able to participate in special prayer services and Masses online, as well as purchase Saint Joseph’s related paraphernalia from online stores.
Interesting Facts and Trivia
In some countries, it is traditional to eat French fries on St. Joseph’s Day. This is because St. Joseph was known to be a carpenter and it is said that he would sharpen carpenter tools on a wooden board, which is comparable to chopping with a knife to make fries.
In some areas there is an involvement of a sprouted wheat “altar” known as the St. Joseph’s Table. This altar consists of lavish gifts such as food, wine, and other treats. The importance of this altar is to show support for the needy as St. Joseph was often seen as a protector of the poor.
Conclusion
Saint Joseph’s Day is a meaningful holiday that is celebrated annually all around the world. It is an important time to remember and honor St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. People observe St. Joseph’s Day by taking part in traditional celebrations and customs that are tied to the patron saint. These customs include special meals, processions, and praying of special prayers. In the modern day, it is easy to partake in the celebration of St. Joseph’s Day in a meaningful way, whether it’s participating in virtual Masses or lighting a candle in his name.
How to Say "Saint Joseph’s Day" In Different Languages?
- Dutch
- Hemelvaartsdag (nl-NL)
- French
- Saint Joseph (fr-BE)
- French
- Saint Joseph (fr-FR)
- French
- Saint Joseph (fr-LU)
- French
- Saint Joseph (fr-CH)
- German
- Heiliger Josef (de-DE)
- Greek
- Άγιος Ιωσήφ (el-GR)
- Italian
- San Giuseppe (it-IT)
- Portuguese
- Dia de São José (pt-PT)
- Slovenian
- Sveti Janez (sl-SI)
- Spanish
- Día de San José (es-ES)
- Swedish
- Pingstdagen (sv-SE)
- Ukranian
- Святий Йосиф (uk-UA)
Saint Joseph’s Day Also Called
The Feast of Saint Joseph or the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.Countries where "Saint Joseph’s Day" is celebrated:
- :: Asia
- :: Philippines
- :: Europe
- :: Austria
- :: Ireland
- :: Italy
- :: Malta
- :: Poland
- :: Portugal
- :: Spain
- :: Switzerland
- :: Central America
- :: Mexico
- :: North America
- :: Canada
- :: United States of America
FUN FACT:
In year 17th century, Saint Joseph’s Day is celebrated on March 19 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
Gretna Italian-Irish Parade, and more area community news
GRETNA ITALIAN-IRISH PARADE: The parade will begin at noon March 10 at Burmaster and Franklin streets and end at 4th Street and Huey P. Long Avenue. An after-party will take place 5-8 p.m. at Gretna Market Place, Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th streets, with music by Rockin’ Doopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters. www.gretnala.com. DANNY BARKER BANJO & GUITAR FESTIVAL: The fest will take place March 6-10 at various New Orleans locations, with a free banjo and guitar summit and a patron party March 6; and the 10th anniversary celebration March 7. Tickets start at $25. Live performances will be held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on…