St. Joseph’s Day traditions trumpet his protective role

I’m pretty sure that almost everyone who lives in the New Orleans area has heard of and or visited a St. Joseph altar. But, for those of us who are Catholic and Italian, St. Joseph’s Altars are steeped with family tradition, delicious food, recipes handed down through the generations and an anticipation of visiting various churches to view the beautiful offerings to St. Joseph.

Growing up, my mother would make the traditional altar cookies, and we would always pray to St. Joseph in a special way. Once we settled in the New Orleans area, we started visiting altars at local churches.

It wasn’t until my own children attended Catholic school that I became an active participant in all that it takes to actually put together an altar. I remember being so excited when my oldest daughter was chosen, actually both of my daughters were, to be a special saint for the school’s altar presentation. I was room mom for her class and learned quickly every detail of what was expected for the second-grade altar, and it was glorious.

In the years that followed, I was also room mom for my son and youngest daughter’s classes and part of the leadership team that put together the altars. Additionally, I decided to put together an altar in my own home and have expanded it over the years. I always knew that I had a special place in my heart for St. Joseph and wanted to honor him with my family.

I started small in my dining room with just a few food items, candles, a small St. Joseph statue and flowers. As the year’s have gone by, I have added items from my Italian family members, pictures of loved ones that have passed, more elaborate food items and cooking traditional St. Joseph Altar food for dinner as well as inviting family members over to eat.

I now look forward to this each year, and I am finding that I feel a connection to my ancestors in a way that I never had before. I love explaining to my daughter why it is important to carry on the traditions from our Italian family, especially when it connects to our Catholic faith. The preparation and assembly of the altar is a labor of love, and everyone who works on one is doing it out of devotion for St. Joseph.

Some families believe that having a St. Joseph Altar in their home can bring good fortune. And, I’ve also heard stories of favors received, such as a family member’s recovery from an illness or employment being found, which have been attributed to the family’s dedication to St. Joseph.

St. Joseph Altars can range from elaborate displays at a church or restaurant to a simple, singular table in the corner of a home. In my opinion, an altar is an altar no matter how small – they are all a reflection of a deep devotion to St. Joseph, the patron of those in need such as workers, travelers, the persecuted, the poor, the aged and the dying.

After many centuries, the St. Joseph altar still serves as a reminder that those who have enjoyed some measure of good fortune must share it with those who have less. When Pope Francis declared the year of St. Joseph in 2021, he recited the following prayer every day. It expresses devotion and trust, and is one of my personal favorites and one that I now say over my home altar:

“Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph,

whose power makes the impossible possible,

come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty.

Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome.

My beloved father, all my trust is in you.

Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain,

and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary,

show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen.”

Kim Roberts resides in River Ridge with her husband and teen-age daughter. She has two adult children and is active at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish as parish coordinator and in its Home and School Association. She has been president of the Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs, is currently on the Dominican High Parents’ Club board and works with the Notre Dame Seminary Gala Committee and the Keep Christ in Christmas Committee. She has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Louisiana Tech University as well as a master of arts degree. She is a freelance writer.