March 19 is the feast of the glorious St Joseph, earthly father of Our Saviour, spouse and chaste guardian of the Virgin Mary. Among his titles in the litany in his honour we sing “Pillar of families, Solace of the wretched, Hope of the sick, Patron of the dying, Terror of demons, Protector of the Church”. Many customs adorn his feast day to which we, like las golondrinas, the swallows of Capistrano of song, would be happy and wise to return. St Joseph is a formidable intercessor, upon whose help I have often relied in times of dire need. Speaking of customs for this feast, one of the most beautiful is the building of a St Joseph Table. During the Middle Ages there occurred a terrible drought in Sicily. The people turned to Joseph for succour. Their prayers were answered, for as I mentioned he is a powerful intercessor. In their gratitude the people distributed food to the poor. Can you get more Catholic than that? Ever since, it is the custom among Italians, especially Sicilians, to build a table in three levels in honour of the Trinity, with a statue of the saint at its summit. The tables are loaded with customary Lent-appropriate foods (Joseph’s feast is always during Lent). The priest blesses them, and the less fortunate especially are invited to partake. The table includes breads baked in shapes like chalices and carpenter’s tools, 12 different fish for the 12 Apostles, lilies for purity and pineapples to symbolise hospitality. (I’m not clear about the pineapple thing, but they are delicious.) You might also see lots of breadcrumbs scattered about, because they look like sawdust. There is a traditional pasta dish di San Giuse, with breadcrumbs rather than grated cheese. When we Catholics were serious about our identity and the Lenten fast, we didn’t eat cheese during Lent. Of Joseph, St Bernardine of Siena (d 1444) preached: “If the whole Church is in the debt of the Virgin Mary, since, through her, it was able to receive the Christ, surely after her, it also owes to Joseph special thanks and veneration ... Therefore be mindful of us, blessed Joseph, and intercede for us with Him whom men thought to be your Son. Win for us the favour of the most Blessed Virgin your spouse, the mother of Him who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit through ages unending. Amen.”