What Is St. Joseph’s Day? Facts And Quotes For San Giuseppe

St. Joseph’s Day is observed annually on March 19 to celebrate Italy’s patron saint, the husband of the Virgin Mary and stepfather of Jesus Christ. Italian-Americans gather together wearing red costumes to enjoy the feast day by donating food to the hungry.

The feast day is also widely known as San Giuseppe. It is believed that St. Joseph saved Sicily after the region was struck by a terrible famine, according to Catholic Culture.

St. Joseph’s Day is very popular in New Orleans, where there are many descendants of Sicilian immigrants. This day is best associated with the types of pastries served. The popular ones are zeppole (doughnuts) and sfinge (cream puffs). Lemons are considered lucky while meat is typically absent during the feast.

Here are some quotes about St. Joseph’s Day:

1. “He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: ‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.'” — St. Bernardine of Siena

2. “St. Joseph was chosen among all men, to be the protector and guardian of the Virgin Mother of God; the defender and foster-father of the Infant-God, and the only co-operator upon earth, the one confidant of the secret of God in the work of the redemption of mankind.” — St. Bernard of Clairvaux

3. “We should, indeed, honor St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased to honor him by calling him father. The Holy Scriptures speak of him as the father of Jesus. ‘His father and mother were marveling at the things spoken — concerning Him’ (Luke 2:33). Mary also used this name: ‘in sorrow thy father and I have been seeking thee’ (Luke 2:48). If, then, the King of Kings was pleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity, it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavor to honor him as much as we can.” — St. Alphonsus Liguori

4. “Some saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.” — St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Joseph’s Day is a popular holiday among Sicilian Americans. Photo: Reuters