Saint Joseph's Table

This week, we will be celebrating the 2nd Annual Saint Joseph's Table. This truly is a unique experience filled with prayer, lore, family, friends, petitions, intentions, festive food with specific connection to Saint Joseph, the earthly father figure of Jesus Christ.

Last year, we celebrated with a full house and live entertainment. From those in attendance, we have learned that many petitions were honored and we are grateful that La Campagna was part of making these prayers and petitions a reality.

Tradition states that when a prayer or petition is honored, the receiver is asked to create an altar to Saint Joseph on his Feast Day, March 19th. Because we were so successful in bringing these petitions to life, we will host another Saint Joseph's Table and encourage each of you to do the same if you are unable to make our special night, at the restaurant.

The tradition of building the altar to St. Joseph began as far back as the Middle Ages in gratitude to St. Joseph for answering prayers for deliverance from famine. The families of farmers and fisherman built altars in their homes to share their good fortune with others in need. The tradition grew to a more public event on St. Joseph's Feast Day on March 19.

Today the individuals who work on the altars are fulfilling their own promises to St. Joseph "to share their blessings with those in need." Without exception, the altar workers explained that they contributed to the altars not for their own purposes but 'for St. Joseph' or for a family member or friend.

One tradition entails begging for the supplies to build the altar. The altar must not incur "any expense nor any personal financial gain." As an act of devotion to St. Joseph, supplicants would promise to build an altar should their sons return home from war safely. Part of the personal sacrifice involved was the act of begging for food. Our alter is built using materials already on hand, again incurring no expense.

Most traditions have perishable foods on the altars, a large portion of the breads, cookies and cakes are wrapped so that they may be given to charities after the altar is broken. When we break our altar, we give all of the offerings collected to a local charity.

The altar is broken after a ceremony which reenacts the Holy Family seeking shelter. The ceremony is called Tupa Tupa "which in Italian means Knock Knock." Children dressed in costume "knock at three doors asking for food and shelter. At the first two they are refused. At the third door, the host of the Altar greets them and welcomes them to refresh themselves."


When a gathering of people come together in prayer and positive intention, miracles do happen. Again, raise up your intentions, prayers and and pure thoughts to create a world full of peace, integrity, respect and love.