The Feast of St. Joseph is a Roman Catholic feast day, celebrated every year on March 19th, a tradition that was established by Rome in 1479. The day commemorates the feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary and legal father of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Sicily, St. Joseph is recognized by many as their patron saint, as he is credited with preventing a famine in Sicily in the Middle Ages. As St. Joseph delivered on the people’s prayers to end the famine, a large feast was prepared to honor him, who they considered their savior.
Many people wear red on St. Joseph’s Day, also to honor the Italian Patron Saint, similar to the green attire seen on St. Patrick’s Day, for acknowledgement of their Patron Saint, St. Patrick.
In Italy, just like in other Mediterranean countries, such as Spain and Portugal, as well as some Southern American countries, la Festa del Papà happens on the 19th of March, the day Catholic tradition dedicates to the most iconic dad of them all: Saint Joseph.
Also in Italy, San Giuseppe, (the Italian name for Saint Joseph) is the day dedicated to the protector of all fathers and, by extension, to all of our beloved papà. There are two things Italians do for the occasion — well, three, if you add getting silly socks and cookies for their dads: celebrating with bonfires and eating the delightful and delicious zeppole.
One prominent custom is the Saint Joseph’s day altar, which spread from Sicily to the United States in the 1800s. These altars are typically elaborate; adorned with figurines, medals, and votive candles. The Saint Joseph’s day altar is divided into three sections representing the three persons of the Trinity, and has a statue of Joseph at its head. The tables are filled with food, which is donated to the poor. Upon a typical Saint Joseph’s Day altar, people put flowers, limes, candles, wine, fava beans, specially prepared cakes, breads, and cookies, and zeppole. Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent saw dust since Joseph was a carpenter. Because the feast occurs during Lent, traditionally there is no meat allowed on the celebration table.
St. Joseph holds the title of patron saint for various groups and causes:
- Workers: St. Joseph is considered the patron saint of workers because of his own profession as a carpenter. His life and dedication to his work exemplify the dignity and value of labor.
- Fathers: As the earthly father of Jesus, St. Joseph is also recognized as the patron saint of fathers and a model for fatherhood and family life.
- Carpenters: St. Joseph’s occupation as a carpenter is a significant aspect of his life, and he is often invoked by carpenters and craftsmen seeking his intercession.
- Universal Church: In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the patron of the universal Church. This designation underscores his importance as a protector and guardian of the entire Christian community.
Official Pastry of St. Joseph’s Day
Zeppole, a Neapolitan pastry created in the 1800s, by Don Pasquale Pintauro, is the traditional Italian pastry eaten to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day. Zeppole are baked or fried dough, typically (read further to see why filled with either cream or custard, then topped with powdered sugar and a cherry…delizioso!
While bakeries across the state are churning out the traditional varieties with fried dough, some take the favorite pastry to the next level and offer their own, with versions that have many unique fillings, such as Bailey’s Irish Cream, Strawberries & Cream, Chocolate Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Oreo Mousse, S’mores, Ricotta Cheese, and many others.
In Little Rhody, bakeries that span up and down Atwells Avenue in Providence’s iconic Federal Hill neighborhood are most popular for this luscious and decadent Italian pastry. Each year, these and other statewide RI bakeries masterfully create the zeppole, which is a celebration in itself.
Below are some of the most popular RI bakeries to experience the delectable zeppole pastry.
Antonio’s Bakery
Warwick
738-3727
Borrelli’s Pastry Shop
Coventry
821-0130
- Palmieri’s Bakery
Johnston
621-9357
DeLuise Bakery
Providence
351-5826
Felicia’s Coffee
East Greenwich
886-4141
LaSalle Bakery (2 locations)
Providence
831-9563 Smith Street
228-0081 Admiral Street
Original Italian Bakery
Johnston
919-5777
www.theoriginalitalianbakery.com
Pastryland Bakery
Smithfield
949-0630
Scialo Bros. Bakery
Providence
421-0986
Vesta Bakery
Westerly
(401) 348-7055
Wright’s Dairy Farm
North Smithfield
767-3014
(877) 227-9734
