A statue of St. Joseph and the Christ Child stands at the center of a St. Joseph Table at St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton March 19.
Each year the school honors the solemnity of St. Joseph with the table, also called an altar – a tradition brought to the United States from Italy. In the middle ages, prayers to the saint ended a severe famine in Sicily, and in thanksgiving, a meatless celebration is eaten on his feast day. Traditional dishes such as pasta with “sawdust” (breadcrumbs and sugar) honor Joseph’s profession as a carpenter.
St. Joseph is a model caregiver, said Father John D. Kelly, pastor of St. Andrew, following the schoolwide feast, and he challenges us all to be kinder and gentler in our interactions with others.
Don’t miss the March 26 issue for the full story and more photos.
