New Orleans to host country's largest St. Joseph's Day celebration
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Southeast Louisiana celebrates its Italian roots this month, starting Thursday with St. Joseph's Day.
Why it matters: The traditions — from elaborate altars to massive pasta feasts — are a uniquely New Orleans blend of faith, food and immigrant history.
The big picture: Catholics in New Orleans observe St. Joseph's Day by creating altars laden with food to honor the relief St. Joseph provided during a drought in Sicily, the Archdiocese of New Orleans says.
- Sicilian immigrants brought the tradition to New Orleans when they settled here in the late 1800s, according to New Orleans & Co.
- There were so many Italian immigrants, the French Quarter was nicknamed "Little Palermo," after the Sicilian capital.
- Today, their descendants are spread throughout the region, but the cultural practice remains.
Between the lines: Christians believe Joseph was the husband of Mary and was Jesus' earthly father.
- He was a carpenter, and his tools are often depicted in artistic breads on the altars.
St. Joseph's Day altars
The altars are open to the public Thursday and are free to view. Bring a cash donation for a lucky bean, candles and cookies.
Zoom in: The altars are covered with symbolic food items, such as bread shaped like St. Joseph's staff, sheep-shaped cakes and St. Lucy eye pies.
- Single women are encouraged to steal a lemon off the altar if they'd like to find a spouse. See more traditions.
- Here's the full list of altars from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Food
Many churches serve food for the feast of St. Joseph. Some plates are free, while others require a donation.
- The International House, a boutique hotel downtown, will host its 28th annual feast Thursday night. It also has a limoncello tasting and live music. (Details)
Parades
Sunday: The 44th annual Irish-Italian parade rolls at noon in Metairie. (Route)
March 28: The St. Joseph's Day parade rolls through the French Quarter at 6pm. (Route)
- Organizers say it's the largest St. Joseph's Day celebration in the country.
April 11: The St. Bernard Irish Italian Isleños Parade rolls in Chalmette.
World's largest pasta bowl
The Italian American St. Joseph Society hosts its annual pasta party March 27 at the Hilton Riverside.
- It's making the world's largest bowl of pasta con la sarde: 500 pounds of pasta topped with red gravy, sardines, anchovies, pine nuts and breadcrumbs, society president Peter Gilberti previously told Axios.
- The society has been making the dish for years, typically feeding about 400 people, he said.
- RSVP for the event.