DescriptionTavola di San Giuseppe at the home of Giuseppe Immordino in Trenton, N.J. With religion such a strong factor in Italian culture, immigrants to the New World, especially New Jersey, often tried to continue traditions related to feast days of the patronsaint of their town in Italy. In Trenton, the feast of St. Joseph, celebrated every March 19th, manifested itself in the creation of a "tavola di San Giuseppe," or St. Joseph's table.
This table, set by individual families as a thanks for answering a prayer in times of crisis,
consisted of exotic vegetables, fruits, flowers, and candles. Also integral to the table were specially baked breads by a local bakery in various forms such as St. Joseph's bread, St. Joseph's staff, baby Jesus, and the Madonna. In the 1950s, as fewer families were continuing this tradition, a community "tavola" was arranged by the San Giuseppe Society of St. James Church. A priest would come and bless the table, with selected people portraying Mary, St. Joseph, and baby Jesus. Then the community would feast.

Genreblack-and-white photographs, photographs

Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T32R3T7H

LanguageEnglish

CollectionNew Jersey Historical Society

Organization NameNew Jersey Historical Society (Newark, N.J.)

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