CIAO celebrates St. Joseph’s Day
CIAO members take part in the event.
St. Joseph table preparations.
CIAO members take part in the event.
St. Joseph table preparations.
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Sunday, March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph's Day was celebrated by more than 50 members and guests of CIAO, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Silver Creek.
Before the meal was served, Nance Ortolano explained why the tradition of St. Joseph's Day started in Sicily and the reason why the alter is setup in three steps, representing the Holy Trinity.
After the explanation of what traditionally is placed on the alter, members were asked to finish "dressing" it with flowers, fava, wheat, spaghetti, lace cloths, and St Joseph Bread in various shapes consisting of a cross, crown and staff were prepared by Shari Mullen.
Each member was given a dried fava bean, traditionally a sign of good luck as it was the fava bean they ate while the famine plagued Sicily. After reciting the St. Joseph Day prayer, members shouted out the traditional Via San Giuseppe! And the eating began!
Members and guests were treated to traditional food including St. Joseph's Day bread, lentils, pasta, sarde, caponata, citrus salad, fried cauliflower, artichokes, frittatas of asparagus, bean and zucchini, baked fish, and the desserts-sifge, cannoli, cucidata, chocolate cookies, pizzelles various cakes, including ricotta, and cookies.
The committee responsible for the celebration included, Sally and Sam Crisanti, Shari Mullen, Sue Castle, Roseanne Falcone, Robert Chesbro, and Nance Ortolano. The meal was served in traditional style with each course prepared fresh from the kitchen.
The next activity for CIAO is in the works, so stayed tuned for details. Remember, you don't have to be Italian to join CIAO, everyone is welcome! If you are interested in joining CIAO or would like more information about CIAO, please contact Sam Crisanti at 716-934-2592 or Nance Ortolano at 716-673-9177 or e mail at nbortolano@gmail.com.