Brother Martin High School continued a beautiful tradition by hosting its annual St. Joseph’s Day Altar in the James B. Branton Chapel on Saturday, March 18th. St. Joseph is the patron Saint of the Universal Church, fathers and husbands, workers, and happy death. Prior to opening the altar for public viewing, Monsignor Andrew Taormina ’54 SA blessed the altar. The Brother Martin community and guests also had the opportunity to help prepare the altar in honor of St. Joseph. As is tradition, visitors were treated to blessed bread, a fava “lucky” bean, a St. Joseph prayer card, and cookies.
History of the Altar:
According to legend, Sicily underwent a severe drought, so its citizens prayed to St. Joseph to relieve them of this famine. To show their gratitude, the citizens prepared a table with a special assortment of harvested foods, which is now carried out through the altar.
On Monday, March 20th, Brother Martin Crusaders visited the James B. Branton Chapel during their Religion classes to learn about the traditions and faith surrounding the St. Joseph's Day Altar.
Traditional St. Joseph's Day Altar bags contain a holy card, a small medal, Italian cookies, bread, and a fava bean.
Fox 8 interviewed Mrs. Cissy Yakelis regarding Brother Martin's St. Joseph's Day Altar traditions. Watch the story via the link below.
We would like to offer a very special "thank you" to our sponsors:
Cyrel Antonatos - In Memory of Max & Verna Burkert
Anita Bonura
Brothers of the Sacred Heart Retirement Community, Pascoag, RI
Virginia Cognevich
Mia and Scott Corrente, Sr. ’83
Daniel Craven
Mary T and Jim de Brueys - In Memory of James
Dugas Family - Class of 2013
Christine and Milton Dureau ’69 CJ
Cynthia, Steve, and Stephen Bergeron ’05
Mr. and Mrs. William Fulham ’61 CJ
The Gaumond and Senat Family
Lyn Greco
Charles Gremillion ’79
John and Elsa Hodges
Linda and Ed Holmes ’52 SA
In Memory of Joann Riviere
Anna and David Jouandot ’78
The Kimble Family
Wayne and Sandy Le Blanc
Gabrielle Macaluso - In Memory of Anthony J. Macaluso, Jr. ’84
Paula, Frank ’81, and Jude ’20 McCaskell
Jimmy McMahon - Jefferson Door Company
Cathy McMullen
Barbara M. Murphy
Stephanie Musso
Faith Peperone
Debbie and John Perrone ’66 SA
Meade and Peg Phelps
The Quitzau Family
Hacienda Construction
Maxine Rappold
Terry and Linda Rhoton
Elaine P. Ridgley
Kathleen Sammons
Paul and Traci Schmidt
Sandy Sumich
The Thriffiley Family
Pat Trainor Family
Paula Trenacosta
In Memory of Louis C. Williams III ’66 SA
Cissy Yakelis
Thank you to our 2023 St. Joseph's Day Altar volunteers, sponsors and donors!
All donations to the St. Joseph’s Day Altar are dedicated to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Missions in the U.S. and around the world.
