Today March 20 is the first day of Spring--and what a glorious way to begin a season! Saturday past was St. Patrick's Day bringing to mind my Irish background. Between those two celebrations falls St. Joseph's Day (March 19) which I've never really noticed before, but it did bring to mind your Italian background.
Somehow it got by me that St. Joseph's Day was all about Joseph of "Mary and Joseph" fame. But St. Joseph's Day brings out pastries and bread from Italian Roman Catholics acknowledging the day. St. Joseph is the patron saint of Italy, the product of a legend not unlike St. Patrick's. Perhaps cultures need such hero stories to pass down from generation to generation as a way of honoring the past.
On St. Patrick's Day, I spend time thinking about the Irish immigrant experience. Our ancestors were largely fishermen and farmers. They were dependent upon the vagaries of Mother Nature. Your Italian ancestors were employed in specialized service areas such as barbers, chauffeurs, junk men, trolley car drivers and dependent upon the public (gasp). Your ancestors lived in urban areas raising large families often in multi generational living situations. They deserved these pastries and breads!
You have a fair number of Josephs in the family line: Your great grandfathers Giuseppe Dalpiaz and Giuseppe Manzelli; great great grandfather Giuseppe Coffarelli (who came to this country at the age of 94!); So baby Joey comes by his moniker honestly.
So if you haven't done so already take a few minutes to acknowledge your average Joes!
1 comment:
I remember Mom always made mention of St Joseph's Day. I'm not sure if it was her catholic school teaching or it was because of her family.
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