New Orleans St. Joseph Catholic Church Rooftop Cross #1
by Michael Hoard
Title
New Orleans St. Joseph Catholic Church Rooftop Cross #1
Artist
Michael Hoard
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This dramatic image of the cross atop St. Joseph Church located on Tulane Avenue was taken on the Feast Of St. Joseph Sunday evening, March 19, 2017. On Monday the alter with food items will be on display from 9 am to 5. Women prepare the foods in advance of the traditional catholic holiday in honor of the patron saint, St. Joseph. This photo one of a series titled The Feast of St. Joseph Day, interior, exterior and images of the food alter images at St. Joseph Church. My confirmation name is Joseph, Michael Joseph Hoard
St. Joseph's Day Altars
St. Joseph's Day Altars and Other Traditions
St. Joseph
St. Joseph's Day Altar
St. Joseph's Day Altar
March 19th marks the Catholic celebration of St. Josephs Day where Catholic New Orleanians construct elaborate altars in honor of this saint. The tradition, commemorating the relief St. Joseph provided during a famine in Sicily, began in the late 1800’s when Sicilian immigrants settled in New Orleans. Today, St. Joseph’s day is not just for Italian-Americans. Every year, this celebration offers New Orleans natives and visitors a chance to share food with others and for believers, a way to express gratitude for any sort of fortune in their lives.
St. Joseph’s Day Traditions
Altars
St. Joseph altars, representing the Holy Trinity, are divided into three sections with a statue of St. Joseph at the head. The devout place candles, figurines, flowers, medals and other items around the alter creating a beautiful, lush and overflowing effect. Since the altars thank St. Joseph for relieving hunger, offerings of food are essential.
Food
Cookies, cakes and breads, often in the form of shell fish, are common decorations for alatars. Fava beans, or “lucky beans” are particularly associated with St. Joseph because they sustained the Sicilians throughout famine. Pick some up for good luck! As tradition has it, the altar is broken up on St. Joseph’s day with a ceremony of costumed children, pretending to look for shelter, finding sustenance at the altar. Food and donations are then distributed to the poor.
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March 19th, 2017
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Comments (5)
Michael Hoard
Greetings Robyn, thank you so much for viewing New Orleans St. Joseph Catholic church Rooftop Cross it pleases me this photo appeals to you and I appreciate the generous comment, Cheers, Michael Hoard