View source for Saint Joseph's Day

{{Short description|Christian feast day for Jesus's legal father}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Saint Joseph's Day
|type          = Christian, cultural 
|image         = Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni, c 1635.jpg
|imagesize     = 240px
|caption       = ''Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus'' by [[Guido Reni]], c 1635
|official_name =
|nickname      = Feast of Saint Joseph
|observedby    = [[Catholic Church]]<br />[[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]]<br />[[Anglican churches]]
|litcolor      =
|longtype      =
|significance  =
|begins        = 
|ends          =
|date          =
|duration      = <!-- e.g. "1 day", "1 week" -->
|frequency     = every year (annual)
<!-- Use next three if holiday is the same day of the same week every year -->
|week_ordinal  = <!-- "first", "second", "last", etc. -->
|weekday       = <!-- "Sunday", "Monday", "Friday", etc. -->
|month         = <!-- "January", "February", "December", etc. -->
<!-- Use next three if the date changes in an unusual pattern each year -->
|date2013      = <!-- only for days that change each year -->
|date2014      = <!-- only for days that change each year -->
|date2015      = <!-- only for days that change each year -->
|date2016      = <!-- only for days that change each year -->
|celebrations  = Carrying [[Blessing#Christianity|blessed]] fava beans, wearing red-coloured clothing, assembling [[home altar]]s dedicated to Saint Joseph, attending a Saint Joseph's Day parade
|observances   = [[Church attendance]] at [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] or [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Divine Service]]
|relatedto     =
}}
{{Josephology}}

'''Saint Joseph's Day''', also called the '''Feast of Saint Joseph''' or the '''Solemnity of Saint Joseph''', is in [[Western Christianity]] the principal [[feast day]] of [[Saint Joseph]], husband of the [[Virgin Mary]] and legal father of [[Jesus of Nazareth|Jesus Christ]], celebrated on [[March 19|19 March]]. It has the rank of a [[solemnity]] in the [[Catholic Church]]. It is a feast or commemoration in the provinces of the [[Anglican Communion]],<ref>[http://prayerbook.ca/the-prayer-book-online/57-the-calendar-ix The Prayerbook Society of Canada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104172841/http://prayerbook.ca/the-prayer-book-online/57-the-calendar-ix |date=4 November 2013 }}</ref> and a feast or [[festival]] in the [[Lutheran Church]]. Saint Joseph's Day is the [[patron saint|Patronal Feast day]] for Poland as well as for Canada, persons named Joseph, Josephine, etc., for [[religious institute]]s, schools and parishes bearing his name, and for [[carpenter]]s. It is also [[Father's Day]] in some Catholic countries, mainly Spain, Portugal, Croatia, and Italy. It is not a [[holy day of obligation]] for Catholics in the United States.

19 March was dedicated to Saint Joseph in several Western calendars by the 10th century, and this custom was established in Rome by 1479. [[Pope Pius V]] extended its use to the entire [[Roman Rite]] by his Apostolic Constitution ''[[Quo primum]]'' (14 July 1570). Originally a double of the second class and a [[Holy day of obligation|feast of precept]], it was re-raised to be of precept in 1917 after having this status intermittently lost, and consequently also raised to its current rank of double of the first class (now called a solemnity), having become in the meantime the rank common to all remaining general feasts of precept. Since 1969, [[Episcopal Conference]]s may, if they wish, transfer it to a date outside Lent. Even if it occurs inside Lent on the usual date of 19 March, it is still observed as a Solemnity of a Saint—this is one of the few times during Lent the [[Gloria in excelsis Deo|Gloria]] may be said or sung, the vesture is changed from the purple or violet of Lent to white or gold (as it would be for such a solemnity normally), the [[Collect]] and the [[Eucharistic Prayer]]'s Preface and other prayers are from the Solemnity and not Lent, the hymns are more joyful, and the Creed is said. However, the [[Alleluia]] is still not used, the [[Tract (liturgy)|Tract]] being used instead, per Lenten regulations.<ref>Calendarium Romanum ([[Libreria Editrice Vaticana]] 1969), p. 89</ref>

Between 1870 and 1955, an additional feast was celebrated in honor of Saint Joseph as Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and [[Patron]] of the Universal Church, the latter title having been given to him by [[Pope Pius IX]]. Originally celebrated on the third Sunday after Easter with an octave, after ''Divino Afflatu''<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-x_apc_19111101_divino-afflatu_lt.html Latin original of ''Divino Afflatu'']; [http://sanctaliturgia.blogspot.com/2005/11/divino-afflatu-english.html English translation]</ref> of Saint Pius X (see [[Reform of the Roman Breviary by Pope Pius X]]), it was moved to the preceding Wednesday (because Wednesday was the day of the week specifically dedicated to St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist and local patrons). The feast was also retitled The Solemnity of Saint Joseph. This celebration and its accompanying octave were abolished during the modernisation and simplification of rubrics under Pope Pius XII in 1955.

At the same time, Pope Pius XII established an additional Feast of "St. Joseph the Worker", to be celebrated on 1 May, in order to coincide with the celebration of [[International Workers' Day]] ([[May Day]]) in many countries.  Until this time, 1 May had been the Feast of the Apostles Saint Philip and James, but that Feast was then moved to the next free day, 11 May (and again to 3 May, in 1969, having become free in the meantime).  In the new calendar published in 1969, the Feast of Saint Joseph The Worker, which at one time occupied the highest possible rank in the Church calendar, was reduced to an optional [[Memorial (liturgy)|Memorial]], the lowest rank for a saint's day.<ref>Calendarium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 1969), p. 92</ref>

The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] celebrates Saint Joseph on the Sunday after [[Christmas]] (with [[David]] and [[James the Just]]), 26 December (Synaxis of the Mother of God and [[Flight into Egypt|flight of the Holy Family into Egypt]]) on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers (two Sundays before the [[Christmas|Nativity]]) and on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers (Sunday before the [[Christmas|Nativity]]), when he is commemorated together with other [[Genealogy of Jesus|ancestors of Jesus]] and on 19 March.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Joseph – Questions & Answers |url=https://www.oca.org/questions/saints/st.-joseph |website=www.oca.org |publisher=Orthodox Church in America |access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ИОСИФ ОБРУЧНИК - Древо |url=http://drevo-info.ru/articles/14386.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=drevo-info.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

Popular customs among Christians of various liturgical traditions observing Saint Joseph's Day are attending [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] or the [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Divine Service]], wearing red-coloured clothing, carrying dried [[fava beans]] that have been [[Blessing#Christianity|blessed]], and assembling [[home altar]]s dedicated to Saint Joseph.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/03/18/519987433/move-over-st-patrick-st-josephs-feast-is-when-italians-parade|title=Move Over, St. Patrick: St. Joseph's Feast Is When Italians Parade |department=The Salt |last=Jankowski|first=Nicole|date=18 March 2017|publisher=[[NPR]]|language=en|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref>

==Christian traditions==
March 19 always falls during [[Lent]], a season traditionally marked by fast and abstinence. Saint Joseph's day, however, is a solemnity and per the [[1983 Code of Canon Law]] overrides Friday obligations in the Catholic Church.<ref name="CC Miller">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Jennifer Gregory |title=The Oases of Lent: Celebrations of St. Patrick, St. Joseph, Annunciation and Family Days |url=https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/oases-lent-celebrations-st-patrick-st-joseph-annunciation-and-family-days/ |website=www.catholicculture.org |access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> Previously, per the [[1917 Code of Canon Law]], the obligation of fasting and abstinence was not dispensed on St. Joseph's Day even where it was kept as a [[Holy Day of Obligation]]: "On [Sundays] or feasts of precept, the law of abstinence or of abstinence and fast or of fast only ceases, except during Lent, nor is the vigil anticipated; likewise it ceases on Holy [Saturday] afternoon" (1917 Code, Canon 1252 § 4).<ref>{{cite web |title=1917 Code of Canon Law |url=http://www.jgray.org/codes/1917CIC.txt |website=www.jgray.org |author=Monsignor Jason Gray of the Diocese of Peoria |access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref>

If the feast day falls on a Sunday other than Palm Sunday, it is observed on the next available day, usually Monday, 20 March, unless another solemnity (e.g., a church's patronal saint) falls on that day.<ref name ="CC Miller"/> Since 2008, if Saint Joseph's Day falls during [[Holy Week]], it is moved to the closest possible day ''before'' 19 March, usually the Saturday before Holy Week. This change was announced by the [[Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments|Congregation for Divine Worship]] in ''Notitiae'' in order to avoid occurrences of the feasts of Saint Joseph and the Annunciation both being moved to just after the [[Easter octave]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Notificazione |journal=Notitiae |volume=42 |issue=3–4 |page=96 |url=http://www.cultodivino.va/content/cultodivino/it/rivista-notitiae/indici-annate/2006/475-476.html |access-date=15 February 2021 |series=475–476 |publisher=Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrements |date=March–April 2006 |language=Italian}}</ref> This decision does not apply to those using the 1962 Missal according to the provisions of ''[[Summorum Pontificum]]''; when that missal is used, its particular rubrics, which require the feast to be transferred to the next available date ''after'' 19 March, must be observed. In practice, the 1962 rubrics lead to the observance of St. Joseph's Day on the Tuesday following the [[Second Sunday of Easter]], as the Feast of the Annunciation (which must also be transferred in years when its assigned date, 25 March, falls during either Holy Week or the octave of Easter) is observed on the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.{{citation needed|date=March 2021|reason=Cannot find citation for 1962 cannon}}

===Italy and San Marino===

In Italy, 19 March is also celebrated as [[Father's Day]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Father's Day in Italy in 2021 |url=https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/fathers-day |access-date=30 June 2020 |website=Office Holidays |language=en}}</ref> In the historical region of [[Romagna]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=18 March 2024 |title=18 marzo – La fugaràza 'd San Jusèf |trans-title=18 March – St Joseph's bonfire |url=https://www.chiamamicitta.it/18-marzo-la-fugaraza-d-san-jusef/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=Chiamami Città |language=it-IT}}</ref> including the independent [[Republic of San Marino]],<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=18 March 2024 |title=Fogheraccia 2024: dove andare a San Marino per i falò di San Giuseppe |trans-title=Fogheraccia 2024: Where to go in San Marino for St Joseph's bonfires |url=https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/news/attualita-c4/fogheraccia-2024-dove-andare-a-san-marino-per-i-falo-di-san-giuseppe-a256031 |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[San Marino RTV]] |language=it-SM}}</ref> bonfires known as the {{Lang|it|[[fogheraccia]]}} are lit on the eve of Saint Joseph's Day; the bonfires are especially popular in [[Rimini]],<ref name=":4" /> where they extend the length of the city's coastal conurbation from [[Cattolica]] to [[Cesenatico]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=15 March 2023 |title=Fogheraccia 2023, dove andare in Romagna per i falò di San Giuseppe |trans-title=Fogheraccia 2023: Where to go in Romagna for the bonfires of St Joseph |url=https://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/emilia-romagna/cosa-fare/fogheraccia-2023-san-giuseppe-broi7v2p |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[Il Resto del Carlino]] |language=it}}</ref> Bonfires are traditionally lit for Saint Joseph's Day in several other places in Italy outside Romagna, such as in [[Bobbio]], [[Emilia-Romagna]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giurato |first=Flaminia |date=19 March 2015 |title=Bobbio, il rito antico per San Giuseppe |trans-title=Bobbio: The ancient rite for Saint Joseph's |url=https://www.lastampa.it/viaggi/2015/03/19/news/bobbio-il-rito-antico-per-san-giuseppe-1.35285276/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[La Stampa]] |language=it}}</ref> in [[Matera]], [[Basilicata]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2024 |title=L'annuncio di Bennardi, a Matera il falò di San Giuseppe si farà |trans-title=Bennardi's announcement: St Joseph's bonfire will take place in Matera |url=https://www.ansa.it/basilicata/notizie/2024/02/28/lannuncio-di-bennardi-a-matera-il-falo-di-san-giuseppe-si-fara_e2505603-872f-4624-8791-9047216f8a32.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[Agenzia ANSA]] |language=it}}</ref> in the [[Val Trebbia]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2014 |title=Bobbio, Festa di Primavera 2014 e Fuiè di San Giuseppe |trans-title=Bobbio: Spring Festival 2014 and the Fuiè di San Giuseppe |url=https://www.ilpiacenza.it/eventi/sagre/fiera-primavera-fuie-san-giuseppe-bobbio-19-marzo-2014.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=IlPiacenza |language=it}}</ref> and in [[Serracapriola]], [[Apulia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2019 |title=A Serracapriola torna "Ù Féòn", il tradizionale falò di San Giuseppe |trans-title="Ù Féòn", St Joseph's traditional bonfire, returns to Serracapriola |url=https://www.foggiatoday.it/eventi/u-feon-serracapriola-festa-san-giuseppe.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=FoggiaToday |language=it}}</ref> {{Lang|it|[[zeppola|Zeppole]]}} are traditionally fried on the bonfires in [[Itri]], [[Lazio]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2023 |title=A Itri i tradizionali Fuochi di San Giuseppe |trans-title=In Itri, the traditional St Joseph's Bonfires |url=https://www.latinatoday.it/eventi/fuochi-san-giuseppe-2023-itri.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=LatinaToday |language=it}}</ref>

In [[Calabria]], {{Lang|it|[[lagane e ceci]]}},<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |last=Gnisci |first=Annamaria |date=19 March 2023 |title=U Cumbitu: un antico e nobile gesto solidale |trans-title=U Cumbitu: An ancient and noble gesture of solidarity |url=https://www.calabriamagnifica.it/costume-e-societa/u-cumbitu-un-antico-e-nobile-gesto-solidale/ |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Calabria Magnifica |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Pasta lagane e ceci: ricetta calabrese {{!}} Bottega di Calabria |url=https://www.bottegadicalabria.it/blog/ricetta-pasta-lagane-e-ceci |access-date=10 April 2024 |website=Bottega di Calabria |language=it}}</ref> a [[pasta dish]] containing [[Chickpea|chickpeas]],<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=19 March 2019 |title="U cumbitu", tradizione calabrese per San Giuseppe Storia di un gesto solidale esportato anche al Nord |trans-title="U cumbitu", the Calabrian tradition for Saint Joseph's: Story of a gesture of solidarity also exported to the North |url=https://www.quotidianodelsud.it/calabria/catanzaro/societa-e-cultura/la-storia/2019/03/19/u-cumbitu-tradizione-calabrese-per-san-giuseppe-storia-di-un-gesto-solidale-esportato-anche-al-nord |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Il Quotidiano del Sud |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref name=":72">{{Cite web |last=Campana |first=Gino |date=18 March 2023 |title=I signori medievali, San Giuseppe e la magia de "U'mmitu" |trans-title=The medieval lords, Saint Joseph, and the magic of "U'mmitu" |url=https://ecodellojonio.it/articoli/storie/2023/03/i-signori-medievali-san-giuseppe-e-la-magia-de-u-mmitu |access-date=10 April 2024 |website=EcoDelloJonio.it |language=it}}</ref> is shared among families and neighbours on Saint Joseph's Day.<ref name=":02" /> The custom, which is known as {{lang|it|[[u cumbitu]]}}, may have emerged in the 20th century,<ref name=":02" /> or have origins in [[Calabria]]'s medieval [[Feudalism|feudal]] society.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last= |date=11 March 2024 |title=U 'mmitu 'e San Giuseppe, il gusto della tradizione calabrese |trans-title=U 'mmitu 'e San Giuseppe: The taste of Calabrian tradition |url=https://www.calabriamagnifica.it/ristorazione/u-mmitu-e-san-giuseppe-il-gusto-della-tradizione-calabrese/ |access-date=10 April 2024 |website=Calabria Magnifica |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref name=":72" /> Rich families invited poorer people from their neighbourhood for a feast at their house.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=di Stilo |first=Umberto |date=16 March 2008 |title='U Cumbitu 'i San Giuseppi |url=https://www.galatroterme.it/arch_gen/cu08.htm |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Galatro Terme News}}</ref> Some of the guests would dress as the [[Holy Family]],<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":33" /> sometimes extended to include [[Joachim]] and [[Saint Anne|Anne]], [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]]'s parents.<ref name=":1" /> The hostess would kiss guests' hands in an act of reverence.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=10 June 2023 |title=The Saint Joseph Invitation (U Mmito): a time-honored tradition of Orsomarso |url=https://orsomarso.info/the-saint-joseph-invitation-u-mmito-a-time-honored-tradition-of-orsomarso/?lang=en |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=orsomarso.info |language=en-US}}</ref> {{Lang|it|Lagane e ceci}} was served as the first dish,<ref name=":02" /> followed by pan-fried [[cod]] and {{Lang|it|[[zeppole]]}},<ref name=":1" /> the dessert typically associated with Saint Joseph in Calabria.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Bisciglia |first=Valeria |date=19 March 2021 |title=Food and wine in Calabria for the San Giuseppe's Day |url=https://www.leviedellaperla.it/en/san-giuseppe-day/ |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Le Vie della Perla |language=en-US}}</ref> After the meal, guests would be given leftovers to take home to their relatives.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> {{lang|it|U cumbitu}} notably suspended class structures in Calabria, which was particularly afflicted by poverty and hunger,<ref name=":1" /> and was a symbol of [[Solidarity|social solidarity]] and fraternity.<ref name=":33" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last= |date=6 March 2020 |title=Festa di San Giuseppe in Calabria: Il Ritratto di Un'antica Tradizione |trans-title=Feast of San Giuseppe in Calabria: The ancient tradition |url=https://www.turismo-calabria.it/festa-di-san-giuseppe-in-calabria/ |access-date=10 April 2024 |website=Turismo Calabria |language=it-IT}}</ref>

==== Sicily ====
In [[Sicily]] and in many [[Italian American|Italian-American]] communities, giving food to the needy is a Saint Joseph's Day custom. In some communities it is traditional to wear red clothing and eat {{Lang|it|zeppole}}.<ref name="non-stop">{{cite web|url=http://members.aol.com/nonstopny/italiano/stjoseph.htm|title=Non-Stop New York's Italianissimo: La Festa di San Giuseppe NYC-Style|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=AOL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107115306/http://members.aol.com/nonstopny/italiano/stjoseph.htm|archive-date=7 November 2006|access-date=}}</ref> A traditional Sicilian dish especially associated with Saint Joseph's Day is ''Maccu di San Giuseppe'', which consists of [[maccu]] and various ingredients.<ref name="Clarkson">{{cite book |author=Clarkson, Janet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOzYAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA262 |title=Food History Almanac |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2013 |isbn=978-1442227156 |pages=262}}</ref>

One prominent custom is the Saint Joseph's Day altar, which are elaborately decorated with figurines, medals, and votive candles. The altar is divided into three tiers, representing the three persons of the [[Trinity]], with a statue of Joseph at its head. The tables are dressed with food, which is donated to the poor on the solemnity.<ref name="neworleans">{{cite web |title=St. Joseph's Day Altars |url=https://www.neworleans.com/events/holidays-seasonal/saint-josephs-day/ |website=www.neworleans.com |publisher=City of New Orleans |access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> On the altar, people place flowers, limes, candles, wine, fava beans, specially prepared cakes, breads, and cookies (as well as other meatless dishes), and {{Lang|it|zeppole}}. Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent sawdust since Joseph was a carpenter. Because the feast occurs during Lent, traditionally no meat was allowed on the celebration table.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonculture.org/laproject/stjo.html|title=Louisiana Project – St. Joseph's Day Altars|work=houstonculture.org}}</ref>

According to legend, Saint Joseph interceded to relieve a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. There was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if God answered their prayers through Joseph's intercession, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. The rain did come, and the people of Sicily prepared a large banquet for their patron saint. The [[fava bean]] was the crop which saved the population from starvation and is a traditional part of Saint Joseph's Day altars and traditions.<ref name="Jankowski">{{cite web |last1=Jankowski |first1=Nicole |title=Move Over, St. Patrick: St. Joseph's Feast Is When Italians Parade |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/03/18/519987433/move-over-st-patrick-st-josephs-feast-is-when-italians-parade |website=NPR.org |date=18 March 2017 |access-date=8 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> On the Sicilian island of [[Lipari]], a variant of the legend says that sailors returning from the mainland encountered a fierce storm that threatened to sink their boat. They prayed to Saint Joseph for deliverance, and when they were saved, they swore to honor the saint each year on his feast day.{{citation needed|date=March 2021|reason=citation for legend in Lipara}}

In [[Bagheria]], Saint Joseph is even celebrated twice a year, the second time being held especially for people from Bagheria who come back for summer vacation from other parts of Italy or abroad.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

===Malta===
In Malta, the set date for the celebration of Saint Joseph is 19 March, but can be moved if necessary to fit into the Lent and Easter season. This has been a day of remembrance in Malta since the 10th century A.D. Most businesses shut down for this day for all the celebrations that occur. The main celebrations are held in Mdina, which is the "old capital" of Malta in the suburbs of the city of Rabat.<ref name="aum">{{cite web |title=19 March – St. Joseph Day in Malta |url=https://aum.edu.mt/feast-of-st-joseph-malta/ |website=aum.edu |publisher=American University of Malta |access-date=9 March 2021 |date=18 March 2020}}</ref> There are three main events that occur for this day. One of them being special masses in honor of Saint Joseph. Then it follows with colorful processions with music bands in the streets and fireworks at night. The main procession takes place in the evening with the statue of Saint Joseph being carried to the church of Saint Mary of Jesus. The statue represents a high level of workmanship for the figure Joseph had in Jesus' life.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://publicholidays.com.mt/feast-st-joseph/|title=Feast of St Joseph 2018 and 2019 — Public Holidays Malta|work=Public Holidays Malta|access-date=8 May 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Also, this is one of the public holidays in Malta, known as Jum San Ġużepp. People celebrate mass in the morning, and in the afternoon go for a picnic. It is a liturgical feast that occurs on a Sunday in summer. However, the city of Rabat celebrates the traditional Maltese feast where in the evening a procession is also held with the statue of Saint Joseph. On this day also the city of Żejtun celebrates the day, known as Jum il-Kunsill (Zejtun Council's Day), till 2013 was known as Jum iż-Żejtun (Zejtun's Day). During this day a prominent person from Żejtun is given the Żejtun Honour (Ġieħ iż-Żejtun). In the past years the Żejtun Parish Church has celebrated these feast days with a procession with the statue of Saint Joseph.{{cn|date=March 2021}}

===Spain===
{{Main|Falles}}
In Spain, Saint Joseph's Day is their version of Father's Day, which is called ''El Dia del Padre''. In some parts of Spain it is celebrated as [[Falles]]. They feel that Saint Joseph is a good example of what a father figure should be like, which is why they connect these two days. Since Spain does correlate this day with Father's Day, it is tradition for children to cook their fathers breakfast or even give small gifts. It is a "meatless affair", because it occurs during the Lenten season. Some symbols to represent this day include Jesus holding carpenter tools, baby Jesus, and a staff with lilies. A few things to do on this day to celebrate are attending a special church service, visiting different cathedrals, joining [[Valencia]]'s Falla Festival, and exploring the city, museums and art galleries. The Falla Festival runs for 5 days and ends on 19 March in remembrance of Saint Joseph.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://publicholidays.es/st-josephs-day/|title=St Joseph's Day 2018 and 2019 — Public Holidays Spain|work=Public Holidays Spain|access-date=8 May 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Poland===
To represent and honor Saint Joseph, Poland has hymns they made. A few of the hymns are ''Duszo moja'', ''O Jozefie Ukochany'', and ''Szczesliwy, Kto Sobie Patrona''.<ref name=annhetzelgunkel>{{Cite web|url=http://annhetzelgunkel.com/easter/swjozef.html|title=Polish Easter Traditions * St. Joseph's Day/Dzien Sw. Jozefa, March 19|last=Gunkel|first=Ann/David|website=annhetzelgunkel.com|access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref> Attitudes differ on whether meat can be eaten during the day; in some quarters, meatless food is to be eaten because it is Lent season,<ref name=annhetzelgunkel /> while in others the ranking of the feast as a solemnity means that there is no need to abstain from meat even when the feast falls on a Friday.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ks. Michał Lubowicki |title=Tak, w ten piątek można jeść mięso. W uroczystość św. Józefa nie należy pościć |url=https://pl.aleteia.org/2021/03/18/czy-w-ten-piatek-jest-post-czy-w-sw-jozefa-mozna-jesc-mieso/ |website=[[Aleteia|Aleteia Polska]] |access-date=15 March 2024 |language=pl |date=18 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Uroczystość św. Józefa. Nie obowiązuje wstrzemięźliwość od pokarmów mięsnych |url=https://diecezja.rzeszow.pl/uroczystosc-sw-jozefa-nie-obowiazuje-wstrzemiezliwosc-od-pokarmow-miesnych/ |website=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rzeszów|Portal Diecezji Rzeszowskiej]] |access-date=15 March 2024 |language=pl |date=19 March 2021}}</ref>

===Philippines===
In the [[Philippines]], especially in rice producing provinces like [[Iloilo]], some families maintain the ritual of holding a banquet for the [[Holy Family]]. An old man, a young lady, and a small boy, often chosen from among the poor, are honoured as representations of Saint Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the [[Child Jesus]], respectively. The three, sometimes dressed like the ''[[santo (art)|santo]]'' (traditional saint image) they each represent, are seated around a table set with the family's best silverware and china, and served a variety of courses. Hymns are sung while they are literally spoonfed by senior members of the host family and important guests. The [[Novena]] to Saint Joseph is also recited at a nearby temporary altar. The hosts and other participants then seek blessings from the "Holy Family" by paying obeisance to the three individuals (or images of the holy personages they represent), either through kissing icons in the hands of the trio or performing ''[[Mano (gesture)|mano]]'', all while [[genuflection|genuflecting]] before them. The now-fed "Holy Family" are lastly given donations (monetary or in kind), which they split amongst themselves, as a thank-you gift after the ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com/2014/03/feast-of-san-jose-traditions-rituals.html?m=1 |title=Feast of San Jose: Traditions, rituals and gastronomy |work=Flavours of Iloilo |date=19 March 2014 |access-date=19 March 2019 }}</ref>

===United States===
[[Image:St.Joseph Altar.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Traditional Saint Joseph's Altar in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]]]]
In [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], which was a major port of entry for Sicilian immigrants during the late 19th century, the Feast of Saint Joseph is a citywide event. Both public and private Saint Joseph's altars are traditionally built, especially in and around the Lake Vista neighborhood. The altars are usually open to any visitor who wishes to pay homage. The food is generally distributed to charity after the altar is dismantled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/seasonal/stjosephsday.html|title=St. Joseph's Day Altars|work=neworleansonline.com}}</ref>

There are also parades in honor of Saint Joseph and the Italian population of New Orleans which are similar to the many marching clubs and truck parades of [[Mardi Gras]] and [[Saint Patrick's Day]]. Tradition in New Orleans also holds that by burying a small statue of Saint Joseph upside down in the front yard of a house, that house will sell more promptly. In addition to the above traditions, some groups of [[Mardi Gras Indians]] stage their last procession of the season on the Sunday nearest to Saint Joseph's Day otherwise known as "Super Sunday," after which their costumes are dismantled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/supersunday.html|title=Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday around St. Joseph's Day|work=mardigrasneworleans.com|access-date=17 March 2011|archive-date=7 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107100741/http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/supersunday.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Saint Joseph's Day is also celebrated in other American communities with high proportions of Italians such as New York City; Utica, NY; Syracuse, NY; Niagara Falls, NY; Rochester, NY; Buffalo, NY; Hawthorne, NJ; Hoboken, NJ; Jersey City, NJ; Kansas City, MO; Chicago, IL<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130508182156/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3933824.html St. Joseph's Day celebration sets the table for sharing]; ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''</ref> [[Gloucester, MA|Gloucester, Mass.]]; [[Hartford, Connecticut]]; and [[Providence, Rhode Island]], where observance (which takes place just after [[Saint Patrick's Day]]) often is expressed through "the wearing of the red", i.e., wearing red clothing or accessories similar to the wearing of green on [[Saint Patrick's Day]]. Saint Joseph's Day tables may also be found in Rockford and Elmwood Park, Illinois.<ref>[http://elmwoodpark.suntimes.com/news/18929564-418/st-josephs-day-feast-table-raises-money-for-charity.html Pisano, Maryanne, "St. Joseph's Day feast table raises money for charity", ''Sun Times'', March 18, 2013]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Americans of Polish ancestry, especially those in the Midwest and New England, who have the name Joseph celebrate Saint Joseph's Day (Dzien Swietego Jozefa) as an ''[[Name days in Poland|imieniny]]''. As a symbol of ethnic pride, and in solidarity with their Italian counterparts, Polish Catholic parishes often hold Saint Joseph's Day feasts known as Saint Joseph's Tables or Saint Joseph's altars, and display statues and holy cards of Saint Joseph.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

Saint Joseph's Day is also the day when the swallows are traditionally believed to return to [[Mission San Juan Capistrano]] after having flown south for the winter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.missionsjc.com/activities/signature_StJosephsDay.php|title=Signature Events – Mission San Juan Capistrano|work=missionsjc.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311143415/http://www.missionsjc.com/activities/signature_StJosephsDay.php|archive-date=11 March 2013}}</ref>

===Canada===
Saint Joseph is the patron saint of Canada.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kokoski |first1=Paul |title=St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Canada and the Universal Church |url=https://canadafreepress.com/article/st.-joseph-patron-saint-of-canada-and-the-universal-church |website=Canada Free Press |access-date=18 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> [[Saint Joseph's Oratory]] in Montreal hosts a novena and special masses to celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph. These events draw thousands of pilgrims to the basilica.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saint Joseph's Oratory Welcomes Thousands of Visitors to Celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/saint-josephs-oratory-welcomes-thousands-of-visitors-to-celebrate-the-feast-of-saint-joseph-616414904.html |website=www.newswire.ca |access-date=18 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

=== England ===
Joseph of Nazareth is [[Calendar of saints (Church of England)|remembered]] in the [[Church of England]] with a [[Festival (Anglicanism)|Festival]] on [[March 19|19 March]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Calendar|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/calendar|access-date=2021-03-27|website=The Church of England|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Holidays}}
* [[Calendar of saints]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Saint Joseph's Day}}
* [http://www.cin.org/calendar.html Catholic Church Calendar]
* [http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/calendar/holydays.html Anglican Calendar] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409083619/http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/calendar/holydays.html |date=9 April 2010 }})
* [http://www.houstonculture.org/laproject/stjo.html Saint Joseph's Day Altars]
* [http://blog.catholicfaithstore.com/blog/2013/03/19/st-josephs-feast-day-a-prayer-to-st-joseph/ Prayer to Saint Joseph]
* [https://timedateandmonth.com/father-day-2021/ Saint Joseph's Day – Fathers Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518065452/https://timedateandmonth.com/father-day-2021/ |date=18 May 2021 }}

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[[Category:Anglican saints]]
[[Category:Father's Day]]
[[Category:Italian-American culture]]
[[Category:Labor monuments and memorials]]
[[Category:March observances]]
[[Category:Public holidays in Liechtenstein]]
[[Category:Public holidays in the United States|Saint Josephs Day]]
[[Category:Saint Joseph (husband of Mary)]]
[[Category:Saints' days|Joseph]]