UNICO celebrates feast of St. Joseph

St. Joseph’s table, St. Joseph’s bread and zeppole all hold special memories for those who grew up in Italian households.

UNICO Rehoboth Area members and guests gathered March 19 to honor the patron saint of fathers and carpenters, a day rooted in traditions that date back to the Middle Ages. Legend has it that when a terrible drought was ruining the harvests and causing famine, the faithful prayed for help through the intercession of St. Joseph. The rains came, the drought receded, and the wealthier villagers created a great feast, enjoying the bounty of the crops and providing for the poor. Homage to St.Joseph continues to this day in Italy and in many immigrant communities throughout the world through sharing food, especially with the poor, and celebrating the feast day with a special St. Joseph’s table filled with traditional specialties.

Each year on St. Joseph’s Day, UNICO members unite to distribute bread, blessed in church that day, and to share a meal, including traditional dishes and desserts, especially zeppole, a cream-filled treat. The celebration is also an opportunity to assist the poor and others in need. Food is brought to homeless shelters and proceeds of the event are donated to charity, his year for Cooley’s Anemia. Dr. Steven Stanzione, a renowned hematologist and Thalassemia Committee chair for UNICO Rehoboth Area, presented an update on the research and progress of efforts to find a cure for this disease. A donation of $1,000 will be given to the UNICO National Cooley’s Anemia Fund at the July convention.