Northeast News
March 26, 2012

Above is St. Joseph's Table at Holy Rosary Church, 919 Pacific Ave. Leslie Collins

Desserts lined the tables at Scalabrini Hall March 19 as part of the annual Feast of St. Joseph’s Table, a centuries old Sicilian tradition in honor of St. Joseph.

In addition to Sicilian desserts, guests could also enjoy the free pasta Milanese dinner served inside the tent at Holy Rosary Church’s Scalabrini Hall, 910 Pacific Ave.

According to Fr. Joseph Vicentini, the feast became tradition following a severe and devastating drought on the island of Sicily in the mid-1500s. Residents offered novenas of prayers to St. Joseph, pleading for help. To reward their faith and devotion, St. Joseph sent plentiful rains and a fruitful harvest.

“With grateful hearts, families shared their blessings and prepared a huge altar-table filled with rich food, drinks and fancy desserts for the poor and needy of the island to enjoy,” Vicentini said.

It’s now become a worldwide celebration, he said.

Each year, Holy Rosary Church volunteers fill St. Joseph’s Table with elaborate pastries, Sicilian desserts and other decorations. Several hundred pounds of flour are used to bake the scrumptious desserts, which call for recipes passed down from generation to generation.

A closer look at the delectable desserts. Leslie Collins

 

  • Louise Spalitto, left, and Josephine Lipari take cannoli orders. Leslie Collins
Volunteer Sang Nguyen fills cannolis for guests. Leslie Collins
St. Joseph's Table attendees scope out their favorite desserts to take home. Leslie Collins