Saint Leo's Church proudly continues the Saint Joseph Table, a tradition that originated in Sicily, Italy, in the Middle Ages. Legend has it that during a severe drought, the Sicilians prayed for relief to Saint Joseph, their patron saint. When the rains came, the people rejoiced and in gratitude, prepared a special table with an assortment of food from their harvest.
These tables, or "altars," offered traditional cookies and cakes, bread baked in symbolic Christian symbols, assorted confections, fruit, wine, fava beans, and beautiful decorations of candles, figurines and flowers. After paying homage to Saint Joseph, the food was distributed to those less fortunate and Saint Joseph's Day was born, celebrated annually in March.
During the dates for our table display, monetary donations and nonperishable food items will be accepted by visitors, with 100% of the proceeds donated to feed the hungry.