Calendar Class of March 19, 2025
- Andrea Kirk Assaf
- Mar 19, 2025
- 3 min read
A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
As we chatted at the beginning of class yesterday, we spoke about where to go in Rome for the Solemnity of St. Joseph today and what to do in Narni over the weekend (visit St. Lucy of Narnia!). Then, upon exiting the Church of Sant' Ignazio, we happened upon this painting depicting the death of St. Joseph surrounded by Mary and Jesus. In the lunette above was a depiction of St. Lucia of Narni. Another Roman Godincidence?
Liturgical: Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent- Solemnity of St. Joseph
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Sanctoral: St. Joseph, husband of Mary
The Bible tells us nothing of Joseph in the years after the return to Nazareth except the incident of finding Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–51). Perhaps this can be taken to mean that God wants us to realize that the holiest family was like every other family, that the circumstances of life for the holiest family were like those of every family, so that when Jesus’ mysterious nature began to appear, people couldn’t believe that he came from such humble beginnings: “Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary…?” (Matthew 13:55a). It was almost as indignant as “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46b).
Saint Joseph is the Patron Saint of Belgium, Canada, Carpenters, China, Families, Fathers.
The CatholicCulture.org page of today, all about St. Joseph and today's traditions.
Human: Today is Father's Day in Italy for the Feast of St. Joseph! Bignè di San Giuseppe, wooden toys, Zeppole di San Giuseppe, oranges and lemons, wallets and belts, and pancakes.
This morning, I happened to be chatting with a Roman lady about plans for today's feast. I was surprised to discover that she had never heard of the "St. Joseph's Table" tradition from Sicily before! It reinforces something our colleague and Italian tutor, Vito, always reminds us American Italophiles about, that "Italy" is much more of an idea than a reality (knowing this, I didn't bother to post about "Italian Unification Day" yesterday!). Just last night, our former program chaplain, Fr. Kim, was saying the same thing, that the story of Italian unification is one of a series of bizarre circumstances and could have turned out any number of other ways. Of course, not all Italians will agree with this, but I trust Vito's expertise on the subject.
A table overflowing with good Italian food honoring St. Joseph is a traditional Sicilian custom. The feast of San Giuseppe began in the Middle Ages when Sicily was suffering from a severe drought and the desperate people begged St. Joseph for rain. When they received rainy weather in response, they held a huge "feste" in Saint Joseph's honor. Even today, Sicilians go to Mass before their St. Joseph's day dinner and then process to their festive tables, decked out in flowers, breads, and all sorts of Italian foods. The priest blesses the food, and everyone shouts "Viva la tavola di San Giuse!" (which your children will readily do with great gusto). After the meal is done, everyone present is given something to take home, in the generous spirit of this day.
Italian: Volentieri (willingly / with pleasure / happily)
Quote: “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
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