This document provides information about the tradition of Saint Joseph's Feast Day in Italy and the town of Acate in particular. It discusses how the feast day originated from a time of famine when the people prayed to Saint Joseph for relief and has since become a day to honor Saint Joseph and give to the poor. Families in Acate traditionally erect altars with three levels representing the Holy Trinity covered in flowers and food. Local dishes like "baddotti" and "cucciddatu" are served and money from a pole event is donated to the poor. The evening procession involves carrying the statue of Saint Joseph through the streets.

1. SAINT JOSEPH’s FEAST Day AliseaCultraro Class 3B Writtenby

2. 19 th March In Italy thisisFather’s Day. Itis the Daywhenchildren celebrate theirownFathers. Theygivethempresents, cards, gifts… In Acate - and in othertowns in the southofItaly-itis a specialday …

3. St Joseph’s Altar This is an old Sicilian tradition . During a terrible famine due to no rain the people pleaded to St. Joseph, their patron, for relief from their terrible situation. At last it started to rain again and the people rejoiced. To show their gratitude, Sicilians prepared a table with a special assortment of foods they had harvested. After paying honor to St. Joseph, they distributed the food to the less fortunate.

4. ‘St Joseph’s Day’ is a veryimportantfeast in Acate. Itistraditiontoerect the ‘altars’ (in the photo) at home or otherplacessuchasschools. Each altar consists of three levels. The three levels, which represent the Holy Trinity, are draped in white linen and covered with flowers. On the altar we put differentkindoffood:there are a lotofcakes, biscuits, fruits, wine, homemadebread, sweets and allkindofvegetables. When the feast is over, the remaining food and the collected money are given to the poor.

5. Many families believe that having a St. Joseph Altar can bring good fortune. And it is common to hear stories about favors received (a loved one's recovery from an illness, for example), which are in turn attributed to the family's dedication to St. Joseph. Children are selected to portray members of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary and Joseph: the "saints" go door to door to seek aid until finally reaching the place where the altar is on display.

6. In acate The traditional dishes are served during this day We use to make “baddotti”. It consists of small timbales of rice and ricotta mixed with eggs, cheese and spiced with cinnamon. There is also a local round- shaped bread called “cucciddatu”.

7. IN THE AFTERNOON WE DO THE POLE. PEOPLE BUY ANIMALS , FOODS, PICTURES….. THE MONEY IS USED FOR POOR PEOPLE.

8. IN THE EVENING THE STATUE OF THE SAINT IS TAKEN OUTSIDE THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE STREETS OF ACATE AND WE FOLLOW IT IN PROCESSION TO ADORE THE SAINT.