Building Saint Joseph Altars: A Feast for the Soul

Building Saint Joseph Altars

A Feast for the Soul

Laura Padron

Copyright © 2022 Laura Padron

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2022

ISBN 978-1-63985-451-6 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63985-801-9 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-63985-452-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

My Story

Chapter 2

Saint Joseph Altar History and Symbolism

Chapter 3

Rosie's Gift of Mentorship

Chapter 4

Planning and Preparing for Saint Joseph Altars at Your Parish

Chapter 5

Committees, Meetings, and Volunteers

Chapter 6

Aprons and Chef Hats

Chapter 7

Marketing: Spreading the Word

Chapter 8

Budgeting and Financial Support Bake Sales, Benefactors, and Donation Boxes

Chapter 9

Draping, Tablescapes, and Flowers

Chapter 10

Statues, Stairs, Special Linens, and Storage

Chapter 11

Candles, Baskets, Vases, Platters, and Plates

Chapter 12

The Italian Cookie Plate

Chapter 13

Cookie Gift Bags

Chapter 14

Cakes

Chapter 15

Special Pastries Keeping a Lost Art Alive

Chapter 16

Bread and Breadcrumbs: Mudica/Mollica

Chapter 17

Pasta Con Sarde

Chapter 18

Froscia

Chapter 19

The Savory Table

Chapter 20

The Fish

Chapter 21

Vegetable and Fruit Baskets

Chapter 22

Beverages

Chapter 23

Novena to Saint Joseph

Chapter 24

The Saints Table

Chapter 25

The Pastoral Saint Joseph Altar Blessing

Blessing of the Saint Joseph Altar

Chapter 26

The Childrens Miniature Altar

Chapter 27

The Prayer Table

Chapter 28

The Welcome Table

Chapter 29

The To-Go Table and After-Altar Donation Committee

Chapter 30

Saint Joseph Honor Room

Chapter 31

Home Saint Joseph Altars

Chapter 32

In Conclusion

Chapter 33

Rockford Area Saint Joseph Altars

Afterword

About the Author

Dedication

This book is a labor of love dedicated to those who adore our Lord and are devoted to Blessed Saint Joseph. My hope is that this book will serve as your step-by-step guide on your Saint Joseph Altar-building journey, on or near His Feast Day, March 19.

You will learn Saint Joseph Altar history, traditions, and Altar symbolism. This book is the ultimate how-to guide. You will meet many Rockford, Illinois experts who have built Saint Joseph Altars for generations. There are over three hundred pictures in this book as well as several wonderful recipes. I hope I have left no stone unturned.

Enjoy and trust in the process while building your Saint Joseph Altar. Pray without ceasing. You will create abundant, joyful, beautiful, lifelong memories and serve many on your journey. Viva San Giuseppe. Ite ad Joseph.

Acknowledgements

Jonathon, Angelina and Sarah forever young

I would like to thank my beautiful children for being the light of my life and the source of my inspiration. I love you with all my heart.

I would like to thank God and Saint Joseph for inspiring me and guiding my hand in writing this book.

I would like to thank Msgr. Daniel Deutsch, Jill Kapala, and Rosie (Scalise) Sheridan. Thank you for saying yes. You made my dream come true.

I would like to thank the Saint Joseph Altar devotees in Rockford and Loves Park, Illinois. I could not have written this book without your contributions and wisdom. Your hard work and dedication are admirable. You have brought joy to my life and to all who read this book.

I would like to thank Callie Sbarbaro for the beautiful Saint Joseph icon featured on the cover of the book. Your talent is amazing.

I would like to thank Gregg Shigley for the title of the book—it is truly a feast for the soul.

I would like to thank my new California friends for inspiring and guiding me in the publishing process. Your loving direction meant the world to me. Special thanks to Christine Cummings.

Special thanks to Rockford journalists Amanda Hudson, Mike Doyle and Gene and Shirley Fedeli.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Fulton Publishing especially Rachel Nicely for putting it all together so eloquently.

Chapter 1

My Story

March 2015, Rockford, Illinois. I patiently wait to enter the predominantly Sicilian and Italian Saint Anthony Church in Southwest Rockford in Northern Illinois. Once inside, I find my first Saint Joseph Altar; what a feast for my eyes, I am in awe. I immediately want to learn and absorb everything I can about the Altar and become involved. My journey has begun.

I visit the Altar again in 2016 and 2017, continuing to embody the sights, such as the Saint Joseph statue majestically atop the third stair surrounded by white lilies and red roses portraying a spiritual bouquet—meticulously decorated cakes, beautifully assorted Italian cookies, symbolic speras, and table-size rosaries made from bread and cupcakes. The pasta con sarde is perfectly al dente, and the red sauce is heaven sent.

As I leave the Altar, I spot an attractive fava bean in an ornate dish. Before I can take a bite, a lovely Altar server softly explains that the beans are not cooked, quite hard, and could break a tooth. Altar lesson one. Thank you, sweet Jo Ognibene.

Saint Joseph Altar—Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Rockford, Illinois.

Beautiful tablescape—Advent by Candlelight

December 2017, Saint Bridget Church, Loves Park, Illinois, five miles from Saint Anthony Church in Rockford. Advent by Candlelight hosted by Jill Kapala—my soon-to-be Saint Joseph Altar co-chair.

Another first—I have fallen in love with Advent by Candlelight's angelic music, uplifting messages, eclectically decorated advent tables, decadent desserts, and engaging fellowship with holy women.

At the end of a magical evening, I find myself near Msgr. Daniel Deutsch and casually inquire about his view on Saint Joseph Altars. Without missing a beat, he asks if I would be willing to help build an Altar for the parish and who my co-chair would be. Before I know it, I say yes and confidently inform him that Jill Kapala will be my co-chair. Monsignor Deutsch is an exceptional man of the cloth, and without doubt, a natural born leader. He ends our conversation with, Let me know how I can be of service.

Wow! What just happened? Am I ready for this? I know little about the Altar I adore or how my new friend Jill will respond. Thankfully, Jill is more than willing to help.

After Christmas, we discuss Altar plans over breakfast as if we have known each other for years. Our countdown begins.

The Feast Day for Saint Joseph is March 19—less than three months to prepare for what traditionally takes twelve months.

We desperately need a mentor—our prayer is answered. Her name is Rosie (Scalise) Sheridan, an angel sent from heaven. Rosie is the content expert on Saint Joseph Altars and is very well-known and respected in our community. She annually helps Saint Anthony Church with their Altar and does an amazing home Altar every other year. Rosie has lovingly contributed to many chapters in this book. She is a tireless, knowledgeable servant of God, and with her by our side, leading and teaching us every step of the way, a wonderful group of Saint Joseph devotees at Saint Bridget Church created an Altar for beloved Saint Joseph on March 18, 2018. We served 800 people and gifted local charities with cookies, cakes, and pasta. We are ecstatic and ready to plan and prepare for our 2019 Altar.

The moral of my story: many times, our precious Lord uses the least likely to do His work, and I am the least likely. I honestly believe Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Ite ad Joseph. Go to Joseph. He will guide and support you.

Viva San Giuseppe!

Jill Kapala, Rosie Sheridan, and Laura Padron; Saint Bridget's first Altar, 2018.

To-do list:

Trust the still, small voice encouraging new projects, such as a Saint Joseph Altar.

Say yes and trust God and Saint Joseph!

Pray without ceasing.

Chapter 2

Saint Joseph Altar History and Symbolism

(by Gene and Shirley [Martignoni] Fedeli)

1995—published on the front page of Fra Noi Chicago newspaper.

I am very grateful to Gene and Shirley Fedeli for explaining the origin and history of Saint Joseph Altars. Their experiences over the years will help you understand and pass on the tradition.

According to the legend, the Saint Joseph Altar originates in Sicily many centuries ago during a period of drought and famine. In desperation, the people turn to Saint Joseph asking His help and intercession.

When the rain comes and the crops prosper, their prayers are answered. In thanksgiving, the community make offerings to Saint Joseph of their most prized possession—food!

They select their finest grain, fruits, vegetables, seafood, and wine and invite all to share in their prayer and festivity. The custom and devotion continue to this day.

Reasons for having Altars vary: to fulfill a promise; to give thanks for a favor granted,