Celebrating St. Joseph’s day

Hundreds of years ago, people prayed to St. Joseph to help alleviate severe drought, promising that if the rains came, they would prepare a special feast in honor of the father of Jesus.
According to In Italy Online, “through the centuries, people who have prayed for a favor and been granted the favor use this festivity to show their thanks.”
That is exactly what a Flushing North family did on Sunday, March 16.
Fina and Benny DiPasquale hosted nearly 400 people in giving thanks, celebrating a Mass and raising $9,000 and goods for three local needy children and their families.
That is not all.
The couple, along with their two young sons, also conducted the praying of the Novena in their home for 13 consecutive nights - straight through to St. Joseph’s Day, celebrated March 19.
DiPasquale, whose family hails from Borgetto in Sicily, told The Queens Courier that she held true to tradition - everything was in threes, she set the “St. Joseph’s table,” and had a shrine set up in her home.
“The Holy Family was not welcome, so we make the needy feel welcome with this tradition,” she said. “The meaning is to inspire people, to help others.”
“It was very emotional to see all these people come,” DiPasquale continued, expressing gratitude to all those who helped her prepare, including Angelamaria Palazzolo and Giuseppe Gaudesi, who set up the shrine, and local political candidate for District 19 Paul Vallone, and other family and friends. “It’s a great feeling that people have faith.”