Sicily's most important saint is Giuseppe (Joseph), Father of Jesus, whose feast day is celebrated on 19 March . Many activities are scheduled, including the very unique one called the St. Joseph's Table. This ancient tradition goes back to the Middle Ages. At that time there was an exceptionally severe drought in Sicily. No rain fell for an extended period of time, no crops would grow, and countless people died of famine. The peasants prayed to God for rain, and they also prayed to St. Joseph to intercede with God on their behalf. They promised that if God caused it to rain, they would have a special feast honoring God and St. Joseph.

By miracle, the rains came and the crops were planted. With the harvest, the people prepared a feast of foods from their crops. This has become known as the Tavola di San Giuseppe. Through the centuries, people who have prayed for and been granted a favor use this festivity to show their thanks. The "favor" requested must not be for personal gain or benefit. Some common requests are the safe return of a loved one from a war (very common request during World War II), or that a loved one will be cured and survive from a serious, life threatening illness or accident.

Saint Joseph Chaplet Prayer Instructions:

The chaplet is divided into fifteen groups of four beads consisting of one white and three purple beads. The white beads symbolize St. Joseph’s purity, and the purple his saintly piety.

 On each white bead a mystery of the rosary is considered and two Hail Mary's are said.  On the purple beads say "Praised and blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph."

First Purple Bead:
Praised and blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

1st Mystery:  The Annunciation
Say two Hail Mary's on the white bead followed by "Praised and blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" on each of the three purple beads. These are repeated for each mystery.

2nd Mystery: The Visitation
3rd Mystery:  The Nativity
4th Mystery:  The Presentation in the Temple
5th Mystery:  The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple
6th Mystery:  The Agony in the Garden
7th Mystery:  The Scourging
8th Mystery:  The Crowning with Thorns
9th Mystery:  The Carrying of the Cross
10th Mystery:  The Crucifixion
11th Mystery:  The Resurrection
12th Mystery:  The Ascension
13th Mystery:  The Descent of the Holy Spirit
14th Mystery:  The Assumption
15th Mystery:  The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin


End the chaplet with the following prayers:
V Pray for us, O holy St. Joseph.
R That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
O God, Who has predestined St. Joseph from all eternity for the service of Thine Eternal Son and His Blessed Mother, and made him worthy to be the spouse of this Blessed Virgin and the foster father of Thy Son; we beseech Thee, through all the services he has rendered to Jesus and Mary on earth, that Thou wouldst make us worthy of his intercession and grant us to enjoy the happiness of his company in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.