The industrial revolution of the 19th century brought in its wake new challenges and problems that elicited different secular responses
ranging from laissez-faire capitalism to state socialism
Laissez-faire – the economic doctrine of individualism as opposed to the collectivism of state socialism – advocated non-interference by the state in economic affairs and was derived from the teachings of classical economists
and from the tradition of Jeremy Bentham and the Philosophical Radicals of the Manchester School
state socialism derived mainly from the writings of Karl Marx with his theories of the class struggle and the economic laws of capitalist society
Christian ideas and initiatives responded to the new industrial society in Europe and North America
was worried about the poor conditions of the working classes and the numerous underprivileged sectors of society
by Fabio Cipolla (1854-1935) Photo: Wikipedia Commons
The main initiative was taken by Pope Leo XIII
who denounced both materialism and socialism
He publicly expounded the Catholic Church’s attitude to the social and political ideas of the day and
in his famous 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum
he analysed the conditions and problems of the working class with generosity
Pope Leo XIII’s social analysis was elementary and what he said about the unions was timid but
Pope Leo restated the Christian ideas in relation to the changing patterns of social life
The Church promoted public official social justice but
The self-help initiatives centred mainly on the creation of groups for mutual help – società di mutuo soccorso
Self-help could also include meaningful help to workers by encouraging them to save a very small portion of their earnings to be used in case of a rainy day
Mutual help’ societies helped to alleviate the sufferings of the working class by providing their members with financial backing
Social services were conspicuous by their absence in those days
such services are an integral part of daily life and many just cannot imagine how life can go on without this ‘taken-for-granted’ state assistance
But the reality of those times dictated that one could easily become destitute due to
prolonged illness or the death of the family breadwinner
An English version of Pope Leo XIII’s important encyclical Rerum Novarum
‘Mutual help’ societies helped to alleviate the sufferings of the working class by providing their members with financial backing in cases of illness through monetary benefits
the services of doctors and the provision of medicines
and sometimes by helping to defray part of the cost of funerals in cases of death
It is within this context of suffering and deprivation that these societies came into being
and became the forerunners and pioneers of the present National Security and social services
Malta did not lag behind in the creation of these worthy initiatives
which were extended to either the whole of the island or to small particular groups
there had existed the Veneranda Sodalità dei Preti that used to contribute 60 scudi to sick priests whose illness precluded them from carrying out their pastoral duties; it was still in existence in the 1980s
articles in L’Arte argued in favour of the setting up of Mutuo Soccorso societies; this was followed by a long article by the editor Dr Nicola Zammit
entitled Piano per una Fratellanza Artigiana in Malta that not only argued in favour of such societies but also proposed a detailed statute that could be adopted by such future organisations
When mutuo soccorso societies actually come into being in Malta
their statutes were based on the piano Zammit had started to lay out in 1863-4
A 1903 depiction by Lazzaro Pisani of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary that includes Pope Leo XIII in the foreground
Pope Leo issued the encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891
an engineer from Senglea employed at the naval dockyard
issued an appeal for the formation of a mutual help society (mutuo soccorso) in which members would pay one shilling per month and
they would be given medical attention and medicines for 40 days
his widow would be accorded some money and the payment of the funeral expenses
the Società di Reciproca Assistenza fra gli Artigiani Maltesi – Società Operaia Cattolica San Giuseppe
with fundraising activities including lotteries
bazaars and fairs that continued until its dissolution in 1979
Similar mutual help societies followed in the early years of the 20th century when a number of band clubs set up their mutual help societies
the village band club was the only social and cultural centre of the locality
where the majority of the members hailed from the working class
A number of clubs wanted to ensure that their members’ welfare would be taken care of in cases of illness
set up their own mutual help societies for their members in 1905
followed in 1906 by St Michael Band Club of Żabbar
This initiative took root and mutual help societies were set up in band clubs at Ħamrun (St Joseph) in 1906; Vittoriosa (Duke of Edinburgh) in c
1911; Senglea (Queen’s Own) in pre-1912; Rabat (Count Roger) in 1917; Żebbuġ (de Rohan) in 1922; and Żejtun (Beland – unknown)
Part of the minutes of the first meeting of the Unione Cattolica San Giuseppe that also included a list of the first members and the offices they were assigned
Although banking was well established in Malta by the end of the 19th century
since the others were mainly commercial banks
November 1833 saw the official foundation of the Government Savings Bank – the Provvido Banco Maltese per Risparmi (Maltese Provident Bank for Savings) – to which Archbishop Francesco Saverio Caruana gave his patronage
It started with eight depositors on January 4
a number that increased to 180 by the year’s end
this bank operated jointly with the Monte di Pietà
the main charitable pawnbroking institution in Malta
the administration costs of both institutions were assumed by the government as part of its Treasury and
This official link with the government Treasury was to be maintained throughout its life
employment in Malta relied rather heavily on the British Imperial policy
which was bound to fluctuate in accordance with the international situation
The prosperity of the Maltese islands had come to mainly depend not on the amount of trade the Maltese were able to create with other Mediterranean countries but on how much the British Treasury spent to safeguard its important Mediterranean sea-routes and on the upkeep of its Malta naval base
founder member and treasurer of the Unione Cattolica San Giuseppe up to his demise in 1921
a strategic development on the Imperial maritime highway joining the mother country to the Far East
had brought an economic boom to the islands
which not only became a very important coal-bunkering station but brought about the building of important military installations and major harbour works
culminating in the building of the Grand Harbour breakwater between 1903 and 1910
for which foreign labour was needed and imported
The peak of incoming shipping had been reached in the 1880s
when a decline followed due to more efficient steam engines that enabled ships to bypass Malta which
could not attract passing vessels in large numbers
the naval fleet stationed locally was reduced by six battleships and the military garrison by two battalions
which meant a loss of not less than £400,000 annually to Maltese industries and services
unemployment was high and wages remained low
it was stated in the British House of Commons that local wages had remained practically unchanged during the preceding 30 years
It was thought that the only real solution was emigration
the Jesuits had been expelled from Malta by Grand Master Pinto
followed five years later by this order’s suppression by Pope Clement XIII
The Jesuit Order was again restored in 1814 and
The Jesuits were to open other schools in the 19th century
culminating in the foundation of St Aloysius’ College at Birkirkara in 1907
one of the first members of the Unione Cattolica San Giuseppe and who eventually became its factotum
the point of our interest here is that the Jesuits were very active promoters of the Apostleship of Prayer
a religious activity in Malta that continued unabated almost till the present times
a savings bank fully controlled by government
the fostering among the working classes of an awareness of the social teachings of the Catholic Church
the desire to implement these teachings in a tangible way
and economic despondency that the Jesuit Fr Michael Vella (1859-1912) convened a meeting on May 8
that was to lead to the formation of the Unione Cattolica San Giuseppe
which was destined to be involved in “banking
Its involvement in banking activities was ultimately to lead to the foundation of the present APS Bank
Over 5,300 new citizens and €1.6 billion later - Malta’s ‘golden passports’
Conte heads to Basel for Eurovision feeling 'grateful and ready'
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By Francesca Montillo, ISDA Food + Travel Writer
husband to the Virgin Mary and earthly father to Jesus
It is also the day in which Italy celebrates Father’s Day
you will also be celebrating your “onomastico.”
An onomastico honors your “name,” and St
an onomastico is an occasion for Italians to celebrate with family
Joseph and Father’s Day are celebrated all over Italy
Joseph is more prominent in Southern Italy
Joseph is credited to have saved Sicily’s residents during one of their many devastating droughts
Tradition has it that residents prayed to St
their spring crops were spared from being destroyed
It is widely believed that this is the reason the celebration is held in March
Many Italians brought that tradition with them to the States and while it is less common these days
it is something older Sicilians still take great pride in
offered to the saint in thanksgiving for prayers answered
Joseph is placed at the head of the table and is surrounded by gifts of various foods
inviting friends and family to join in the celebration of eating the gifts left on the table
so be sure to add them to your table on March 19
meat is generally not eaten on the feast day
or the “poor man’s parmigiano” are enjoyed
so breadcrumbs are eaten to resemble the sawdust left behind after a day’s work in the carpenter’s shop
particularly to the single ladies looking for a husband
While relatively unknown to the non-Italian U.S
one city that widely celebrates this feast day is New Orleans
Louisiana used to be a popular arrival port for Sicilians and at one point
the French Quarter was known as “Little Palermo.” Celebrations occur
breads and seafood are frequently eaten on the feast day of San Giuseppe
and are certainly delicious; my all time favorite food to enjoy is the Zeppole di San Giuseppe
the zeppola is cut in the middle and filled with various flavored creams or sweetened ricotta
Delicious by itself or enjoyed with a cup of espresso
if you do nothing else this upcoming holiday
be sure to enjoy a zeppola in honor of San Giuseppe and say a little prayer of thanksgiving for the gifts you have been granted
No one quite knows exactly when it started
but this holiday feast has become a can't-miss tradition
Join us for this illuminating fireside chat on the history of our most well-known Christmas figures and traditions
From the aroma of the food to the glow of the fire light
there's nothing like an Italian-American Christmas
ISDA has kept its strong sense of community alive and thriving to become one of the largest and most financially successful Italian American organizations in the country
We now unite Italian Americans across states nationwide to celebrate our culture and preserve the traditions our ancestors brought with them from Italy
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After operating for seven months at a shared commissary kitchen in Rail Head Industrial Park, San Giuseppe Pizza recently relocated to a more traditional restaurant space in North Naples.
Formerly able to offer only takeout and delivery, San Giuseppe now has its own dining space at its new pizzeria 7 miles south in Olympia Park near the southwest corner of Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads. The unit at 2400 Vanderbilt Beach Road, behind Walgreens and near The Alamo indoor gun range, most recently was home to Rio Pizzeria and Pete’s Pizzeria.
The new San Giuseppe Pizza opened May 27, continuing a long family tradition for Chef Michael Buonsante, who co-owns the pizzeria with his wife, Raeann. Pizza has been the Buonsante family business for more than 50 years, originating in northeastern Pennsylvania in 1972. Buonsante’s parents immigrated to New York City from Mola di Bari in the Apulia region on the heel of Italy’s boot.
Buonsante was born in Brooklyn, but his family relocated to Pennsylvania, where his dad had the opportunity to build a restaurant chain. Michael and Raeann Buonsante moved to Ave Maria five years ago, following their daughter who attended Ave Maria University and graduated two years ago.
“I’ve been in this business my whole life,” Buonsante said. “My father and mom came from Italy. They went to Brooklyn. And then from Brooklyn, my dad got the recipe.”
Referring to the tried-and-true pizza recipe as old school, authentic New York, Buonsante still uses his dad’s ingredients and methodology that started more than a half-century ago. The name of his pizzeria is new, though. San Giuseppe is Italian for St. Joseph.
“I wanted to come up with a new name, so I picked my favorite saint, St. Joseph. Joseph was a good man. He was a good guy to Jesus. He’s a protector and he’s the worker, patron saint of the worker,” said Buonsante, whose surname means “good saint” in Italian.
San Giuseppe Pizza had a modest but successful start in its initial location on Rail Head Boulevard with just curbside pickup and delivery service. “Because it’s a new name, we wanted to build our brand first online. We were successful in a nonretail space, which is more challenging,” he said. “We did get our name out because of the quality. We wanted to find a good opportunity like this one.”
Last fall’s closing of Rio Pizzeria, a short-lived Brazilian pizza concept, opened the door for San Giuseppe to expand to a restaurant with dine-in options. For now, the business still has a lot of pizza deliveries and to-go orders rather than patrons dining in. “Most of it’s takeout until we build our name here in this neighborhood, once word gets around that we have eat-in,” Buonsante said.
The business offers pizza slice specials for lunch, 11-inch personal pizzas, 16-inch large pizzas, 14-inch stuffed pizzas, as well as square pizzas for the popular Grandma and Sicilian pies.
“Our most popular item is the Grandma Pizza. Very popular,” Buonsante said. “It’s a square kind of like a little bit fried in a pan with oil in the oven. Thin crust square. And then I put the mozzarella cheese and put heavier dabs of sauce on top, like a hardier sauce, and I drizzle pesto. It’s very crispy. So, we’re famous for that, Grandma Pizza.”
Rounding out the top five pizza favorites include the Margherita, Meat Lovers, Supreme and Buffalo Chicken specialty pies, he said.
Other scratch menu items include stromboli, calzones, salads and appetizers, such as Buffalo chicken bites, garlic knots, meatballs and pepperoni sticks. Desserts include cannoli and tiramisu. They also are going to add wine and beer.
“We wanted to keep the menu simple. I want to keep my focus. I wanted to focus on my strength,” Buonsante said. “I know I could do more things, more different things and more variety but I don’t want to lose focus on what I do best.”
The Buonsantes plan to grow their local concept, so don’t be surprised to see San Giuseppe eventually open additional locations in Collier County.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The business is closed Sundays. The pizzeria has an 8-mile delivery area.
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The thing about Milan is that it is a city that never truly belongs to anyone
AC Milan and Inter Milan know this better than anyone
but the kind of rivalry that could make Shakespeare rethink the plot of Romeo and Juliet
the city once again had to sit and watch its two biggest occupants fight over temporary bragging rights
It was Milan’s turn to call the stadium San Siro
had to pretend they didn’t care that they were technically the visitors
Why Strahinja Pavlović is a Perfect Signing for AC Milan
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter is the Serie A landlord right now—champions
and strutting around like they own the place
Sergio Conceição has been handed the blueprint to fix the mess left by Paulo Fonseca
and if you squinted hard enough during the game
you could almost see the scaffolding of a functioning team
A 1-1 draw in a Milan Derby is like ordering a fancy meal and getting just the appetizer
it made up for in the eternal narrative—Inter
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how it all played out
For reasons best explained by footballing physics and Inter’s compulsive need to press like a caffeinated orchestra
responded by counter-pressing with two men immediately
while another one or two lurked behind like a second wave of doom
had a trick up their sleeve: numerical superiority
How Inter Milan Returned to the Top of Italian Football Under Simone Inzaghi
where Rafael Leão stood like a man who knew the world would eventually come to him
Since he rarely tracked back in defense anyway
he was always in the perfect position to do what he does best: dribble with speed and chaos towards a retreating Inter backline
and Milan’s best moment in transition came when he actually remembered
teeing up Tijjani Reijnders for a rare moment of collective intelligence
and the game started resembling a high-speed chess match where one side was playing with their queen permanently pinned down
and looked increasingly like a team capable of stealing something
it was Inter who got the final say—because of course they did
Tammy Abraham to Milan: A Change of Scenery Fit For All Parties
one must first understand how Milan defended
which sounds solid on paper but often played out like an elaborate guessing game
was tasked with shadowing Inter’s deepest midfielder
and Pulisic—had individual assignments that quickly became flexible nightmares
theoretically blocking passing lanes but practically playing whack-a-mole with Inter’s endless rotations
Fillu de Sardegna: How Nicolò Barella’s Midfield Excellence Ignites Simone Inzaghi’s Inter
Inter’s approach to possession was less of a structured build-up and more of a revolving door
midfielders would sneak into attacking spaces
and wing-backs would either push high or drift centrally
It was a ballet of movement designed to confuse Milan’s passive press
Exploit the gaps behind Milan’s full-backs
Inter ran pre-planned sequences to drag Milan’s defenders out of position before slipping runners into the half-spaces
Thuram would be darting into open space with only Pavlović left to stop him
and exactly the kind of football that makes defending feel like an existential crisis
Inter’s approach became increasingly direct
and Milan’s defensive resilience was tested
combined with Barella in a one-two that became something of a recurring theme
Christian Pulisic: The American Talisman Leading Milan to Glory
found himself stationed unnaturally wide at times
but this had a purpose—giving Dumfries the space to sprint behind Hernández and win footraces
quick but often caught between pressing and covering
found himself in a perpetual chase he had little hope of winning
Inter’s patterns were equally complex but a touch less effective
Bastoni and Dimarco worked to overload Pulisic
But due to slight hesitations in execution
the final ball didn’t always arrive at the right moment
the intent was clear—drag Milan’s shape around until something broke
spent a good chunk of the evening unaware of his movements
What Goes Up, Must Come Down, Must Come Back Up Again – The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of Inter Milan
One sequence captured his influence perfectly: Pavard dribbled forward without pressure
and the Italian maestro took a single delayed touch to let Tomori slide past before turning into open space
but the point was made—Barella was the guy making Milan uncomfortable
and a combination of Thuram or Zielinski continually overloaded the flank
looking for a way to break Milan’s defensive line
while Augusto timed his runs expertly into dangerous areas
When aimed towards Dumfries or Thuram at the back post
they forced Milan into frantic last-ditch clearances
would always find a way to create havoc in the dying moments
What Can Filippo Terracciano Bring to Milan’s Defense?
Inter would be that annoying neighbor who always pays their rent on time and reminds you that your apartment is still under renovation
while Inter continues to live like kings in the penthouse
But here’s the thing about Milan—they have history on their side
keep pressing the life out of their opponents
they know what Milan fans whisper to themselves on quiet nights: This Inter is good
Inter can celebrate their status as the kings of the city
they’ll remind Inter that true dominance isn’t rented
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Mattia Ozbot – Inter
We Reformed folk have always been pretty allergic to saints—the named
There are a tiny handful of congregations in my denomination, the Reformed Church in America, called St. John’s, St. Paul’s, St. Remy. Thanks to our Irish-American neighbors, we are familiar with St. Patrick’s Day, only five days from now. Dutch-American antiquarians are wont to make something of St. Nicholas Day. I’ve blogged here about my “feast day,” St
I’m told it is a pretty big deal for Italians (where it is something like Father’s Day) especially Sicilians
and with Italian-American pride often more focused on Columbus Day (not without its critics
I want to share some thoughts about Joseph that came to me during Advent last year
when we are more accustomed to hearing about him
And I don’t want to wait until next December to do it
We know very little about Joseph. Only a small portion of the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel gives him much attention
The Gospel of Matthew tells of the possibility that Mary might have been exposed to public disgrace
to believe Joseph was the object of whispers
“I don’t think the boy looks anything like him.” “I heard Mary was pretty chummy with those legionnaires stationed down the road.”
Or possibly the inner voices were more haunting than the sneers and slurs of neighbors
The angelic visitor in his dream evidently changed Joseph’s actions
Did it undo any feelings of being extraneous
it must have been more than offset by the incredible pride and delight at what was happening around him
To what extent he understood Jesus’s future and ministry
that he sensed that something amazing was afoot here
how to share that pride in a world that only suspected the strange or the scandalous
But you have no idea of the wonder among us.”
Righteous is about the only descriptor we get for Joseph
Joseph is Exhibit A in Matthew’s reclamation project of righteousness
righteousness often felt priggish and judgmental
Matthew’s Gospel goes out of its way to convey that Jesus had not come to flout the Jewish law or to invite moral sloppiness
it quickly became apparent that Jesus’s righteousness stretched and fulfilled the law to the breaking point
he displayed a righteousness that was far more than obligation or scrupulosity
Joseph lived a righteousness that did not avoid the messy or controversial
were swirling in me during a sermon last December when I had a discovery
Joseph isn’t only the patron saint of fathers
He is the patron saint of parents of LGBTQ people
the amazing treasure that their children are
No one plans for their child to be the Messiah of a virgin birth or to be LGBTQ
But by the grace of God—and maybe even an angel visit—parents in such situations often respond with great love
righteousness that is more about grace than judgment
A mother of a gay son shared how when she would tell others that her son is gay
people usually responded with whispered words like
Then one day she told a person who replied
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At the end of my last column
I asked If someday someone was to examine my life
Since then, I have been reading about Saint Giuseppe Moscati. As a man of science, he is known for research leading to the use of insulin for diabetes. His mother died of it, inspiring him to find a cure. According to Giuseppi Moscati: A Man, A Physician, and a Scientist
“Moscati was the first to introduce insulin therapy in Italy and can therefore be considered a pioneer of modern diabetology and endocrinology.”
Moscati became involved in other scientific endeavors as well
In a world where it is fashionable to say you cannot believe in science and God
Moscatti is another example to the contrary
Yet there is so much more to his story than his ability to see that science and Catholicism are complementary
Some people we revere as saints only grew in holiness later in life
According to Saint Guiseppe Moscoti: Doctor of the Poor
Moscati’s parents provided a good example of loving God
Our parents…were very fervent practicing Christians
and proof of this is their scrupulosity in educating us in the bosom of the Catholic religion by their regular attendance to their Christian duties and by the daily recitation in common of the Holy Rosary of Our Lady
Guiseppe’s father was a magistrate judge
he attended daily Mass and often served at the altar
Tripodoro tells us the family moved to Ancona when Giuseppi was a year old
in order to keep their post and advance their career
were often compelled to join the sect and stop performing their religious duties
held firm and never submitted to the moral extortion coming from various parties…For him faith in God was greater than external pressures and fear that merely human considerations could strike in him
He could have followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in law. Instead, Giuseppe decided to study medicine. His older brother, Albert, influenced him in this decision. Albert was a lieutenant in the artillery. One day he fell off his horse and sustained damage that lasted the rest of his life. According to Michael J Miller:
For years Giuseppe helped care for his injured brother at home
and as he matured he reflected on the limited effectiveness of human remedies and the consoling power of religion
He received his medical degree in August 1903
this from Tripodoro’s book especially struck me:
Guiseppe kept his distance from all extremism and
understanding that his main occupation was to study
he avoided everything that might distract him
deep study requires tranquility and serenity of spirit
How could he have applied himself to his work if he had followed so many of his companions who were creating disturbances and shouting in the public squares
I think he was on to something in avoiding extremism and distraction
How can we hear God if we are too distracted or too involved in creating disturbances
spending time on Facebook posts berating those who vote differently from you does not bring us or others nearer to God
A nearby town contained a hospital with residents unable to leave on their own
Moscati risked his life to show up at the hospital and help evacuate it
The ash was so thick that the roof caved in just after the last resident left
Moscati was also a professor and a coroner
A former assistant relates an incident where students were invited to go to the autopsy room
Tripodoro tells us the invitation surprised them because there were no autopsies on the schedule that day
“We have been invited to pay homage to Christ
the Life who was returning to that place of death after too long an absence.”
Giuseppe had a habit of treating poor patients for free and giving them money for their prescriptions
a piece of paper was found in one of his books where he had written:
and blasphemers come to be admitted to a hospital by an arrangement of the mercy of God
and the nurses is to collaborate with this infinite mercy by their help
Reading this helps me to understand his generosity with the poor
He is seeing the face of Jesus and trying to be an instrument of God’s mercy
Moscati lived a life of love and service to God
His devotion to Eucharist (which he received daily) and his well-known love of Mary helped him continue to grow closer to God
He prayed the rosary daily and spoke of Mary often
He is proof that to love Mary is not a distraction from God
I frequently write about saints who were scientists
Science done well helps us to know and love God better
Faith and reason are like the two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth — in a word
men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves
Only one science is unshakable and unshaken
and to the eternity of life and of the soul
and then you will have a very different orientation from the one that merely human considerations would suggest to you
and your work will be inspired for the better
He died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 46
after living a life where nobody doubted he loved God back
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“Viva San Giuseppe! Viva!” The cries echo throughout the crowded street as a statue adorned with white lilies comes out of the Basilica of San Giuseppe al Trionfale (St
located in Rome around a 10-minute walk from the Vatican
Although it is the middle of the day and week on March 19
people of all ages and from all over the city gather for the only procession dedicated to St
Joseph in Rome that is done on his actual feast day.
Although there are other churches in the Italian capital also dedicated to St
run by the Congregation of the Servants of Charity
is a point of reference in the city for this saint’s feast day
The Basilica had in fact been organizing events and activities since March 9 to prepare for the day
which included a procession and Mass celebrated by Swiss Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig
Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus to Italy and San Marino
Aleteia looks into the Roman and Italian traditions that recall
Joseph is known for and his importance.
Joseph touches people because he was a man of faith
a man who trusted God completely and allowed Him to overturn his life,” said Father Tommaso Gigliola
“He is important because he took care of Jesus and Mary
the two greatest gifts that God could give to humanity.”
explained that the paternal aspect of the day was the reason he was attending
I am a dad myself and my son attends the school [attached to the Basilica] of San Giuseppe al Trionfale,” he explained
another man held a baby in his arms with a shirt that said “I love Dad.”
thinking and praying -- he owes a lot of it also to St
Joseph because he was educated by him,” said Father Gigliola
Joseph “is a reminder of the vocation of fatherhood and its great responsibility and effort
[...] He can help us rediscover the vocation of fatherhood where the father is a point of reference like St
especially at the beginning during difficult periods and trials
Joseph who did everything for the happiness of his family.”
Another popular symbol in Rome related to St. Joseph highlights his service to his family. On March 19, bakeries in the capital sell fried pastries with cream inside called St. Joseph’s “zeppole” and “bignè.” The Rome municipality’s website explains that one of the possible explanations for these sweets’ name is because legend says that after the Holy Family fled to Egypt
Joseph started selling sweets to support them.
Joseph also means wanting to reconstruct our families in the love and happiness of God,” said Angela
a religion teacher and parish member who was assisting in the procession
such that the pastries originate from ancient Roman pagan holidays
As the procession walked through the streets
a group of moms had stayed back in the courtyard of the Basilica to fry the pastries that would then be sold after the liturgical celebrations.
Joseph is a blessed loaf of bread that is handed out throughout the day on March 19
At the Basilica of San Giuseppe al Trionfale it was given out during the various Masses celebrated
Joseph's bread reminds us of what is necessary sustenance for man
Even in the Lord's Prayer we ask that God not allow us to lack our daily bread
that what is necessary for the sustenance of body and soul may never be lacking in our families,” said Father Gigliola.
so it is also a reference to this important dimension of our lives that St
Joseph's bread teaches us to trust in God and in Providence
as he trusted the Lord completely despite all the trials and difficulties.”
This custom is present in many areas in Italy, especially in the southern regions such as Sicily or Apulia, where whole tables or altars are decorated with food in honor of this saint. In Sicily also a specific type of bread is often made in various shapes such as his staff or an M for Mary
These traditions have also spread to other countries
especially through Italian immigrant communities
Joseph at the dinner table because he is the saint of simplicity
so the bread indicates this being together as a family,” said Angela
who had gotten one of the blessed loafs to bring home.
In its celebrations, the Basilica of San Giuseppe al Trionfale also highlighted another aspect of St. Joseph, as the patron saint of a happy death
The Basilica is run by the Congregation of the Servants of Charity but is also assisted by the Pious Union of the Transit of St
as both were founded by the Italian priest St
The Pious Union is an association of faithful of all vocations that focuses on praying for those who are dying and promoting St
Joseph’s patronage for a good death.
In fact the Basilica of San Giuseppe al Trionfale had organized a Mass at noon
in order to pray for all those those who belong to the Pious Union
The Basilica also includes a mosaic that shows the transit of St
but in the end death is what all men share and at the same time it is the moment in which we feel our deepest poverty and fragility
protects us and gives us the hope that it is not the end of everything
as death is the door that opens to Heaven and eternal life,” said Father Gigliola.
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All Saints Catholic Church is hosting Festa di San Giuseppe (St
Please join us for Mass at 6:30P.M (in English)
Following Mass will be a procession of the St
Joseph Statue and the annual blessing of the St
Italian cookies and breads and Italian music
All Saints Church is located 1534 North Recker Road in Mesa
call the office at All Saints Church 480-985-7655
ITALY - APRIL 30: Italian Politician Giuseppe Sala Mayor of Milan attends the "The Fourth State" masterpiece by italian artist Pellizza Da Volpedo exhibition preview at Five Hundred Hall at Palazzo Vecchio on April 30
(Photo by Roberto Serra - Iguana Press/Getty Images)
At the end of the meeting with Milan and Inter at Palazzo Marino regarding the future of San Siro
Mayor Giuseppe Sala revealed the decision made by the two clubs and provided an update on the situation
When I provide them with the necessary data
It’s not an issue at the moment; I haven’t raised it
And I don’t want to say anything more about the two possible stadiums I have previously commented on
I’ll remain silent and try to move forward."
and it’s clear that everything needs to be done quite quickly
I am putting my face on the line as long as there are no further changes
there are technical-administrative characteristics
the possible disorientation of many fans and citizens who have seen so much
we might see the green light relatively soon
we are talking about a very significant investment
and the functions to be developed on the sites
We are talking about a very substantial amount
Now the two parties are very solid and working together
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
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Memories cause the words to echo in my ears
For this second-generation Italian American of Sicilian background from Buffalo
the month of March means one thing: Saint Joseph’s Day
and tastes of the Tavolata di San Giuseppe
Joseph’s Table (or as they would say in other areas
all form a true feast for both body and soul at the end of the dull winter
Saint Joseph’s Day means so much to Italians and to Italian Americans
and has thankfully withstood the test of time
remaining one of our community’s most beloved traditions despite modernization and assimilation
My paternal grandmother was born and raised in Mussomeli
aunts and cousins were named Giuseppe and Giuseppina — Joseph and Josephine
Joseph with them when they emigrated to America between the 1950s-80s
Recipe: Authentic St. Joseph’s Day Pasta
The earlier immigrants who came to the United States (especially those who settled in New York
had long ago established the custom of the St
but its popularity had somewhat faded after World War II
hosted by families and societies comprised of more recent immigrants who inspired renewed interest in language and traditions in general among Italian Americans
The veneration of the Foster-Father of Jesus
the Chaste Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and the Patron Saint of the Universal Church has only grown over the centuries
especially throughout (southern) Italy and wherever our immigrants have settled
How is it expressed within the context of the Tavolata
An altar is set up as the focal point of the celebration
featuring a statue or other image of the Saint
Mary and Joseph being refused a place to stay in Bethlehem several times before hospitality was finally offered in the stable or cave
This performance is called the Tuppi Tuppi (Knock
There are several versions of how the Table came to be
Some sources date it to events in 1262 or 1268
One of the most-repeated accounts describes a famine or drought in Sicily leading landowners or farmers to promise St
Joseph that if his intercession brought about rain
they would serve a free meal to the local vergineddi (little needy children) or vicchiareddi (old people)
This is reflected even today in the practice of all donations or proceeds from the meal being given to the poor
Another explanation attributes the meal’s origin to a similar vow made by unsuccessful fishermen who could not catch anything
some claim this is why fish is served at the Tavolata instead of meat
but meat scarcity among poor Sicilians and the Feast being held on March 19 (during Lent) are what likely shaped the menu
The millenary practice of making a promise or vow to give a Table if
The promise was made on a significant scale during World War II
if loved ones were to return home alive and safe
fulfilling the promise meant doing so at considerable financial sacrifice
a door-to-door collection in the old Italian neighborhoods
or a collection among family members or friends
was taken up to defray the cost of the Tavolata
Click here for Zeppole and Sfingi recipes
Today’s Tables are celebrated more than a century since their first observance
froscia or frittata (omelet) often with asparagus
pasta con sarde (pasta with sardines) sprinkled with muddichi or molliche (breadcrumbs) symbolizing the sawdust of St
Joseph’s Bread) braided in special forms like crosses
Oranges and fresh fennel are always included
the essential dolci (desserts): the most important being sfingi (fried
hollow puffed pastries) and a similar variation called zeppole
and pignulata also called struffoli (honey balls)
other sweets may include cannoli and cookies
I prepared the Tavolata at home for the first time
as my parish and other venues did not host one due to Covid restrictions
But especially heartening that year was the flooding of social media with pictures posted to Facebook and Instagram by (young) Italian Americans of homemade sfingi and zeppole
This bodes well for our community’s future
We are often prone to repeat a mistaken assertion
that our ancestors came to America with nothing
allowed them to face their adopted country’s uncertainties
We are the proud recipients of this heritage including the Tavolata
Giovanni Guareschi's books could be the "pick-me-up" you need
the task was painstaking and the art form dates back thousands of years
The Abruzzese turned a gutsy dream into a storied reality
Italian Sons & Daughters of America 419 Wood St.
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This article is written by Contributing Editor Francesca Montillo of The Lazy Italian
We’re in the middle of March and for Italians
we’re looking forward to celebrating the Feast of St
you will also be celebrating your “onomastico.” An onomastico is the celebration of your “name” day
And while not celebrated with the same grandiose celebration of a birthday
While St. Joseph and Father’s Day are celebrated all over Italy, the celebration of St. Joseph is more prominent in Southern Italy, particularly Sicily. Read more at The Lazy Italian…
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Pope Francis’ visit to the Roman parish of San Giuseppe al Trionfale
on Tuesday afternoon began with a kiss on the head of Rebecca,the the two-year-oldvdaughter of one of the parish catechists
the Pope was greeted by the applause of the hundreds of people gathered in the churchyard of the basilica (or even looking out from windows and balconies) and hailing “Francesco
founded by Don Luigi Guanella at the beginning of the 20th century and still run by the Guanellians (also known as Servants of Charity)
was the setting the Pope's private meeting with some 70 priests who have been ordained 40 years ago or more
The gathering is part of a round of visits the Bishop of Rome started in September last year in the five sectors of his Diocese to meet parish priests
The last meeting was held on 3 May in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
As announced by the Vicariate of Rome this morning
the next visit is set for May 29 when the Pope will meet priests who have been ordained between 2014 and 2024
Pope Francis arrived at the San Giuseppe al Trionfale Parish
not far from Saint Peter’s Basilica, just a minute before 4pm
leaving about ten minutes earlier from Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican
he greeted the vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome
the Diocese’s delegate for the care of the diaconate
turning to a group of journalists present he addressed them with his customary request for prayers for him
He also blessed the tummy of another journalist who is pregnant with her second child: “How many months
who greeted him with a kiss on the cheek: "Thank you
Waiting for Pope Francis In a hall of the rectory was a group of elderly priests: three rows of grey heads who all stood up to applaud him
“Let's pray to Our Lady and then let's talk!”
the invocation to the Spirit and a brief presentation by Bishop Di Tolve of the San Giuseppe al Trionfale Parish
the closed-doors question-and-answer dialogue with the priests began
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
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Zeppole are traditional Italian pastries traditionally eaten on March 19
they are doughnuts generally filled with custard and sprinkled with powdered sugar
the filling may vary depending on the inspiration of the moment and the pastry shop
Joseph’s Day and the traditional pastries are starting to appear across the city
several good restaurants in Montreal are also getting ready to celebrate this tradition by making delicious zeppole to the delight of their customers
The Italian diaspora is well represented in Quebec and we know how proud the Italians are to promote their country’s cuisine
We’re not complaining; Montreal’s Italian restaurants add a lot of color and authenticity to the local gastronomic scene
but there are many other great Italian places all over the island
many Montreal establishments make some of the best zeppole in town
While some places offer them all year long
others wait until this time of year to make these little delicacies to mark the occasion
any reason is the right reason to pick up some delicious zeppoles
March 19 will become a date to circle on your calendar every year
Here is a list of addresses where you can enjoy the best zeppole in Montreal
As these pastries are made for a special occasion
We recommend checking in for availability before you go
To discover other gourmet addresses related to this article
we invite you to consult the following lists
Joseph’s Day and enjoy your zeppoles
Here is our list of the best microbreweries in our beautiful province
sometimes intriguing beers that contribute to the province's growing reputation as a beer haven
Kamouraska is the perfect place to get away from it all while spending time in nature
discovering the region and eating very well
10 restaurants to discover in the village of Sainte-Thérèse
Joe Beef’s famous lobster spaghetti is one of the most iconic dishes in Montreal
Discover our list of 101 delicious must-visit culinary spots from all corners of Quebec to add to your bucket list
Pizzaiolo Mirko D’Agata from No.900 pizzerias took 1st place at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas
Le critique culinaire de renom a 30+ ans d'expertise et est l'inspiration derrière Tastet
co-chef and co-owner of Mon Lapin and Rôtisserie La Lune — meet one of the most exciting chefs to discover
Giwa has opened its doors in the Verdun neighborhood
bringing a unique touch to the local culinary scene
Taza Flores has embraced a new identity while preserving the essence that made it so beloved — a must-rediscover
Cela fait maintenant 18 ans que La Petite Cachée rayonne à Mont-Tremblant
un arrêt immanquable dans la région des Laurentides
Janice Tiefenbach is the head chef at Elena
named the third best new restaurant in Canada by En Route magazine
Khorasan Kabab has been serving delicious Iranian dishes for over 18 years
STEUBENVILLE — The Italian American Cultural Club met March 11 at Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern
baskets and a map of Italy was made by members Lucia Scaffidi and Mariella Pittera
aA special piece of bread characterized the artwork of a “monstrance,” commonly used in eucharistic adoration in the Catholic church
Joseph’s life and history in preparation for his feast day
members enjoyed a roast beef dinner and desserts
including fresh fruit and Italian pastries
The organization discussed upcoming activities
including the annual Scholarship Awards Dinner and Camp Italiano
The next meeting will be held April 8 at Scaffidi’s
The meeting will feature “A Taste of Campo,” where members will share what campers experience at the club’s Campo Italiano each summer
They will have the opportunity to be campers for an evening
moving from station to station and learning about the Italian culture and heritage
Volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate the feel of Campo
Information can be found on the group’s Facebook page at the Italian-American Cultural Club
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STEUBENVILLE — Those involved with the Dean Martin Association exclaimed they are proud to present “an ..
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which is also when Father’s Day is celebrated in Italy
each Neapolitan traditionally eats several zeppole
despite their enormous size and rich filling
cream puff dough is extruded from a sac à poche in the shape of a coiled snake (snake in Latin is serpula
which is where many believe the name zeppola came from) and then fried in vegetable oil
I must mention that baked zeppola has become increasingly widespread
the baked zeppola doesn’t even exist; it is an invention of dieticians
in Ippolito Cavalcanti’s 1837 treatise on Neapolitan cuisine
The origin of the sweet zeppola is ancient: the Romans used to celebrate the Liberalia
the feasts of the gods who dispensed wine and wheat
Romans drank heavily and fried fragrant wheat pancakes in the shape of a twisted snake
The current incarnation of the Neapolitan zeppola di San Giuseppe was born in a convent
The poor nuns of Santa Chiara prepared a fried dumpling that was flavored by an elixir of their invention
our Pasquale then read in the Scriptures that St
fed his family with fried pancakes on their escape to Egypt
it is also a favorite of pastry chefs – indeed
the feast of San Giuseppe is one of their best days
since the focus is on one dessert, the zeppola
a time when there are dozens of different sweets to prepare and a high risk of having unsold stock
And since so many people eat a zeppola to celebrate the holiday
The baked version is prepared in an instant – the cream puff dough is wrapped around itself using the pastry bag and goes into the oven for a few minutes
The fried zeppola is a little more complex (in fact
it costs on average 25 percent more than the baked version) – you should always use abundant amounts of fresh oil to avoid the rancid taste of overworked oil
It is traditional to garnish the zeppola with the finest pastry cream and top quality black cherries
You shouldn’t skimp on the quality and the quantity of the filling
for one of the ways that we describe a miser is with the phrase chillo tene ’na mana a fà’ zeppole
or “someone who is stingy in making zeppole.”
Joseph’s Day in 2020 is one we will remember for a long time
For the first time since the post-war period
a pack of zeppole di San Giuseppe cannot be purchased in all of Naples
And the rest of the Culinary Backstreets team in Naples attempted them at home
too – we must not lose heart during these times
This zeppola recipe is from the Neapolitan gourmand Raffaele Bracale
The original one derives from the famous 19th-century cooking manual by Ippolito Cavalcanti
Recipe: Zeppole di San Giuseppe
Place the pan on a moderate heat and start cooking
slowly add all the flour and salt to the pan
Stir everything together with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking
When the mixture is homogeneous and detaches easily from the sides of the pan
mixing well until they are incorporated in the dough
Put the dough in a pastry bag (equipped with a star-shaped spout) and form the rather small donut-shaped zeppole (the zeppole will increase in size when fried)
Prepare two large black cast-iron pans; in one
which will detach immediately from the dough once it’s in contact with the oil and can be taken out with a pair of tongs
remove the zeppola from the pan with the oil and immediately transfer it to the one with the suet to complete the browning
then place it on paper towels and let it cool
For the cream: Heat the milk in a saucepan and mix the sugar with the egg yolks
add all the ingredients and mix without interruption
Add the lemon zest (washed thoroughly) and the vanilla pod
Continue cooking until the mixture appears creamy and homogeneous
arrange the zeppole on a serving plate and stuff them
Decorate each zeppola with some black cherries in syrup and icing sugar
(ANS – Vatican City) – In the audience granted on Thursday
Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints
Pope Francis approved the decrees leading to the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis
a young lay faithful born on 3 May 1991 in London (England) and died on 12 October 2006 in Monza (Italy); and Father Giuseppe Allamano
founding priest of the Institute of Missions of the Consolata
born in Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Italy) on 21 January 1851 and died in Turin (Italy) on 16 February 1926.
Perhaps for many it was already the case but now it has arrived 'officially'
already predicted by many as the future "patron saint of the Internet"
he was a believer; not as lukewarm as one might think for a boy his age
"The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven" the young man often said
thus giving a profound testimony of his faith
At the age of 15 Carlo Acutis has already completed the stages of what it means to have faith
to love the Church and the poor and had expressed his creativity on the web to leave a message - with his exhibition on Eucharistic miracles - that does not fade away by getting lost like many algorithms
And this despite his suffering caused by the terrible disease that led to his death
was struck down by full-blown leukaemia in 2006
discouragement and fear are the feelings that usually prevail in an individual
His life was that of a normal teenager but at the same time he helped the poor and did not forget to go to Mass every day
The young man was particularly devoted to Our Lady and Saint Francis
And this is where the extraordinary story of the miracle that will lead to Carlo's canonisation begins
words of hope that expressed the worst anguish for a mother
her daughter fell from her bike one night while returning home to Florence
The news from Careggi hospital was crushing
removal of the right occipital bone to decrease pressure
Liliana's secretary began to pray to Blessed Carlo Acutis and on the 8th Liliana herself went to Assisi
That same day the hospital said that Valeria had resumed breathing spontaneously
the next day she began moving and partially speaking
From there on this was one of those cases where medical protocols were set aside
On 18 July the CT scan showed that the hemorrhage had disappeared and on 11 August she was transferred for rehabilitation therapy
but after only a week it was clear that complete recovery was one step away
And on 2 September mother and daughter were again in Assisi at Carlo's tomb to say thank you
the Holy Father also authorised the canonisation of Blessed Giuseppe Allamano: a fellow citizen of Don Bosco
having also been born in Castelnuovo d 'Asti (today Castelnuovo Don Bosco)
he was also the nephew of Don Bosco's spiritual director
but his health forced him to see to something else
At the age of 29 he was sent to direct the largest Marian shrine in Turin
dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation (the Consolata)
and he brought it back to the splendours of the past
so much so that the dream of the missions turned into a greater work
after waiting for years to obtain official approval
believing that evangelisation should shake up the whole Church
together with other heads of missionary institutes
he spoke to Pius X about the ignorance of the faithful regarding the missions
due to the insensitivity widespread in the hierarchy
proposing to establish an annual Missionary Day
"with the obligation of preaching about the duty and ways of propagating the faith"
Live he was reproached for caring more about the teaching of trades than the triumphal statistics of baptisms
the Gospel and human promotion had to be pursued together
The acknowledged miracle that will lead to his canonisation occurred precisely in mission territory
in a situation also not unfamiliar to the Salesians: it concerns a local who inexplicably survived a jaguar attack
John Paul II beatified him in 1990 and when he is canonised he will become the third saint from Castelnuovo
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the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007
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Vatican – July 2024 - Yesterday morning
Pope Francis visited the "Estate Ragazzi in the Vatican" summer centre
educational and spiritual activity weeks of the centre
After a brief greeting and a thank you to the benefactors at Casa Santa Marta
the Pope moved to the area of the small sports centre
recently built and intended for the children of employees
a brief meeting with the leaders took place first and then the Pope held a conversation with the children and young people participating in the summer centre
In answering their questions and their interventions
inspired by the reflection and activities that they are following over these days
Pope Francis spoke of the value of the family
because "making peace is the most beautiful thing in life"
and to prepare for the next jubilee "with the spirit of joy"
the children and young people threw coloured
hoping that the message can reach as many people as possible
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Joseph's Day — celebrated each year on March 19 — continues to hold immense significance for Italians
cultural heritage and values such as family
Joseph’s crucial role as the embodiment of fatherhood
Even in the context of an ever-growing secularism
Joseph’s Day in Italy still has religious significance
Revered as the earthly father of Jesus and Mary’s husband
The name Joseph derives from the Jewish Yosseph (meaning he who gathers). The name eventually became in Greek Josephos, then Iosephu in Latin. In Italian, it is Giuseppe. It remains a popular name for babies in Italy
READ: 5 Jesus Movies You Should Watch This Easter
While none of the Gospels mention Joseph as present at any event during Jesus’ adult ministry, the synoptic Gospels share a scene in which the people of Nazareth, Jesus' hometown, doubt His status as a prophet because they know his family
Joseph is mentioned in Luke as the father of Jesus, while Matthew and Luke both contain a genealogy of Jesus
Devotion to St. Joseph dates back centuries
The earliest records of a formal following for St
Joseph dates back to the year 800 and continued to grow to the 14th century
The saint’s unwavering faith and steadfast commitment to his familial responsibilities make him a beloved figure among Catholics
Joseph symbolizes virtues such as integrity
The holiday is given added significance for Italian families since the day also doubles as Father’s Day in Italy
The day itself is a solemn feast in honor of St
Italian immigrants around the world gather in churches and hold street festivals dedicated to the saint
Joseph's Day is also a celebration of Italian culture and identity in the United States and in several other countries
Joseph has evolved into a symbol of Italians’ collective heritage — much like St
In Sicily, St. Joseph is credited with saving lives during the Middle Ages by helping to avoid a famine. Tradition has it that residents prayed to St. Joseph for rain
This is believed to be the reason the celebration is held in March and why banquets have become a traditional part of the holiday
showcasing the vibrancy of local culture and the saint’s enduring legacy
You can’t have a feast day in Italy without food
Traditions can also vary from region to region
One of the most cherished customs associated with St
Joseph’s Day is the culinary tradition of preparing and sharing zeppole
These delicious pastries — made of fried dough and filled with custard — are a symbol of the holiday
zeppole are fried in lard and made with water
ricotta cheese and cinnamon are also added
they are called bigne and are commonly served plain with only a dusting of sugar
they are filled with custard and a sour cherry (first created in 1840 by a baker named Don Pasquale Pinatauro) and are the type most Italian bakeries around the world now make
is a fluffy batter squeezed through a pastry tube into a circle
then fried in oil and filled with sweet ricotta cream cheese
These versions are called Sfinge di San Giuseppe
Furthermore, elaborate celebrations — known as “Tavole di San Giuseppe” (Tables of St
Joseph) — feature communal feasts where families and friends gather to share traditional dishes
It’s yet another opportunity for families to gather and celebrate the saint’s enduring legacy
Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged
He previously served as deputy head of news at the New York Daily News and a longtime reporter at The New York Post
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which could have caused a real tragedy if there had been people inside (fortunately it was closed at the time of the collapse)
The church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami was built between the end of the 16th century and the middle of the 17th century
designed by the famous architect Giacomo della Porta (Porlezza
Originally the building was built over the Mamertine Prison
Prominent figures of ancient Rome were imprisoned here: according to tradition
the apostles Peter and Paul spent their last days here before being martyred
Among the most famous figures to be imprisoned here and who died by strangulation or beheading were Jugurthas king of Numidia in 104 BC and Vercingetorix king of the Gauls in 46 BC
Peter in Prison above the Mamertine Prison to meet and conduct religious services
but it needed a larger and more suitable building
In the last decade of the sixteenth century
the Company decided to build a new church dedicated to their patron saint St
to be erected again on the pre-existing building of St
to Giacomo della Porta and Giovanni Battista Montano; thus by the end of 1602 the facade and roof of the building were completed
the Company appointed Antonio del Grande as its trusted architect to take charge of the completion of the church
and the consecration of the building took place in 1663
It is therefore an ancient place that is part of the city’s history and that holds within it true artistic and architectural marvels: the coffered ceiling
and the splendid chancel that inevitably captures the gaze of all visitors
The collapse had destroyed a considerable part of a symbolic place in Rome
a place of worship but also the site of a guild
It is thanks to the work and care of the team of restorers that now the church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami is once again open to visitors to admire its treasures
Everything was rebuilt respecting the pre-existing one
using earthquake-proof methods to protect the heritage; the restoration of the coffered ceiling and the reconstruction of the missing part were carried out following the most innovative restoration methods
and the reconstructed ceiling maintained the ancient trusses but with more suitable structural solutions
the construction site was already underway
almost all of the work was completed: a Christmas present for the entire citizenry
the first celebration in the church after the collapse and the restoration site was held with great joy
Carlo Maratta’s 1650Adoration of the Shepherds or Nativity had been saved from subsidence: a seventeenth-century piece of delicacy
poetry and sweetness that still (fortunately) enchants all who admire it in its chapel
the Madonna with the brilliant blue veil encircles the infant Jesus with her right arm
and with the other she raises with refined delicacy on one side the white cloth on which the little one is resting
The infant tenderly gazes at his mother and waves his arms as if to caress her
warm light that illuminates the composition from the center toward the characters around: St
the shepherds on the left of whom one is in the foreground with his back to her and another
The scene depicted seems to stop a moment of the holy night: it is in fact a moving scene
emphasized by the gestures of the depicted characters themselves
Joseph’s hand that seems very much to want to stop every movement and every gasp
the Madonna who seems to want to lift the fabric to take her son in her arms
the shepherd with the basket is walking and the fabric he is dressed in is being moved
the angels in the sky who are flying and one of the latter is waving a monstrance
These elements are all reminiscent of the original painting of Carlo Maratta
a small town in the Marche region near Ancona
who was able to fuse the tradition of classicism and the theatricality of the Baroque: in fact
he is considered one of the last great exponents of seventeenth-century classicism
Joseph of the Carpenters is often confused with another Nativity that instead derives from thelunette fresco in the first chapel on the right of the church of Sant’Isidoro a Capo le Case or degli Irlandesi
Carlo Maratta painted early in his career the chapel of St
Joseph in the church of Sant’Isidoro between 1651 and 1656 at the behest of the Roman gentleman Flavio Alaleona)
The Holy Night preserved in the Gemäldegalerie in Dresden
the Dresden painting predates the fresco: however
Joseph of the Carpenters) appear to be related
but in particular for that luminism that so characterizes his Nativities he was decisively inspired by the art of Correggio and especially by the suggestion created by theAdoration of the Shepherds
also preserved in the Gemäldegalerie in Dresden: among the most beautiful nocturnes in the history of art
Element in common is the baby Jesus cradled in his mother’s arms
who radiates light and becomes the focus of the entire composition
around whom the figures surrounding mother and child
“I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life”; a light that appears as early as the birth of the baby Jesus
namely the one depicted by Maratta and the one in the center of the coffered ceiling
are therefore both now visible in all their glory
saved by a miracle or thanks to the valuable work of restorers
Works that risked being destroyed forever in a place rich in history and tradition
"Let us remember that the path of holiness implies trust and abandonment," for when Blessed Maria Antonia arrived in Buenos Aires
she did so with only a crucifix and barefoot
"because she had not placed her security in herself
trusting that her arduous apostolate was His work."
The Pope offered this reminder on Friday as he met in the Vatican with pilgrims from Argentina who are in Rome for the canonisation of Blessed Maria Antonia of Saint Joseph de Paz y Figueroa
the Argentine-born nun founded the House for Spiritual Exercises of Buenos Aires
The soon-to-be canonised saint was born in 1730 in Silipica
and died on 7 March 1799 in the Argentinian capital
Pope Francis chose the date of her canonisation for 11 February 2024
the anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes
"experienced what God wants of each one of us
each in our own state of life," for whatever it may be
"it will always be synthesised in doing everything for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls."
“Mama Antula experienced what God wants of each one of us
drew nourishment from this premise that lies at the root of Ignatian spirituality
It became such an important priority to her
was to give the spiritual exercises herself
seeking to help all discover the beauty of following Christ."
"this was not easy for her." Due to the aversion that had developed against the Jesuits
she was even forbidden to give the exercises
is not to give up in the face of adversity
"not to give up our good intentions to bring the Gospel to all." Even if we face hostile environments at work or in our families, one must keep the faith and try to radiate it
"Firmly rooted in the Lord," he said
"we should see this as an occasion where we can challenge our surroundings to bring the joy of the Gospel."
“Firmly rooted in the Lord we should see this as an occasion where we can challenge our surroundings to bring the joy of the Gospel.”
The Pope exhorted the faithful to imitate Mama Antula's devotion to Saint Joseph and great love for the Eucharist
Pope Francis concluded by inviting the pilgrims to bear witness to what Mama Antula shared with the Argentinean people and the whole Church
asking her to "help us in our pilgrimage
Pick up the traditional Italian pastry and new riffs on classic recipes to celebrate St
There’s only one way to mark La Fiesta di San Giuseppe
Though the holiday officially falls on March 19
ring-shaped pastries traditionally crammed with ricotta and powdered with sugar can be found in Italian bakeries and restaurants across the city until Easter
calendar-marking and queue-waiting for a one-day event are part of the experience
Approaches to the Italian pastry differ in shape (circular ring vs
And the list of variations on the original — widely attributed to a baker from early-1800s Naples — gets longer by the year
See some of the ones available in Montreal on the map below
Did we miss some outstanding zeppole? Send us a tip
and with a second location at the Jean-Talon Market
Patisserie St-Martin is a staple for Italian sweets in — and out — of the city
A post shared by Pâtisserie St-Martin (@patisseriestmartin)
Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione’s supremely popular Little Italy pizzeria Gema will be cranking out perhaps the city’s most sought-after zeppole in a one-day
known to generate queues snaking down St-Dominique
on March 19 and go on for as long as quantities last
A post shared by Pizzeria & Milk Bar (@pizzeriagema)
Little Italy’s highly praised Pasticceria Alati-Caserta is now run by the next generation
but its operation (and sweets) remains just as impressive
the bakery produces fried and baked zeppole in various flavours
A post shared by Pasticceria Alati-Caserta (@alaticaserta)
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Though perhaps best known for its wide selection of cronuts
come spring La Cornetteria is a necessary stop on any zeppole pilgrimage
and yet still airy — it’s a tricky equilibrium to master
This Rosemont bakery has zeppole seekers covered with flavours ranging from ricotta to hazelnut and tiramisu
get a slab of fresh tomato pizza and a spinach and mozzarella roll to go
This takeout- and delivery-only NDG pizza spot is expanding on its regular dessert offering in honour of San Giuseppe
it’s selling zeppole filled with citrus-spiked whipped ricotta cream
A post shared by Giuseppe Sacchetti (@the_g_pizza)
the zeppole at this 50-year-old family-run establishment on Jean-Talon East are a long-standing tradition
Elena’s resident pastry chef Michelle Marek succeeds again
this time with a gorgeous spin on the Italian classic
The St-Henri pizzeria’s zeppole are loaded with pistachio cream and topped with a cluster of nuts
A post shared by Elena (@elenamontreal)
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Operating out of this St-Leonard pastry shop
Sisterly Sweets has developed a reputation for its worth-the-trip confections
including its take on the deep-fried choux pastry dessert
but ricotta-filled and cherry-topped is where it’s at
is committed to “selling zeppole in the classic way
exactly like in Italy,” owner Pierpaolo Sansone says
and available daily until the end of March
A post shared by La Panzeria (@lapanzeriamtl)
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casual Italian eatery and coffee shop Parma Café ensures its zeppole are never too far out of reach
Clarke Café caters to those who believe zeppole deserve an entire season
not just one holy day: Its version is filled with ricotta
and almonds and is available at its Centre Street locale until the end of April
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Have a hankering for zeppole in the Verdun area
Rita is among the more recent additions to the city’s zeppole scene
but its version — piped with pastry cream and topped with an Amarena cherry — is classic
Italian pastry chef and Arte & Farina co-owner Sandro Carpene brings his attention to the mighty zeppola
Head to this Village pastry shop for zeppole filled with a ricotta
A post shared by Arte & Farina (@artefarina)
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Joe Schilling from Saint Giuseppe's Pizza in East Moline. They've halted business at their Coal Valley location and brought their close knit team/family into one location for the time being
Joe's got a strong family lineage steeped in pizza
His Uncle Bill is "Uncle Bill" from "Uncle Bill's Pizza". His dad started Saint Giuseppe's in 1997 and all through grade school
middle school Joe was watching his father build the business while helping around the joint doing odd jobs. By the time he finished high school he knew this is what he wanted to do for a living
I like that Joe is customer-centric. He wants to know if the sauce is too spicy or crust is too thick. He will make tweaks to improve his product while not compromising the original
"I'll certainly make small adjustments in pursuit of a better pizza"
Joe is taking this somewhat negative time and spinning it into a positive
Obviously they can't have customers in the dining room
they are offering PizzaPacks for at home baking. This is a great thing for families looking to break out of the monotony of quarantine
I can't wait to have my kids try & flip the dough around (and then pick the dirt out of it when it lands on the ground)
For a measly $12 you get enough dough & sauce for 5 pizzas to make yourself
They also offer:Bag of cheese: $5.00 (good for all 5 pizzas)Container of pepperoni: $1.50Container of sausage: $1.50Container of garlic Butter $1.50
And specifically for my reference later when I go to make one of these I'm gonna give some shorthand instructions. But you should watch this instructional video
Cornmeal & Flour is helpful when making the St
Here's my Behind the Business video for Saint Giuseppe's
Joe Schilling from Saint Giuseppe's Pizza in East Moline. They've halted business at their Coal Valley location and brought their close knit team/family into one location for the time being
Joe's got a strong family lineage steeped in pizza. His Uncle Bil...\nRead More
“To every nation its doughnut,” is one that nobody has ever said
There are so many variations on doughnuts that’s it’s hard to know where to start
This is the season for Italy’s answer to the deep-fried-and-sweet question
where the month of February brought frittelle
the best of which were available in the incognito super cappuccino bar
hidden down an alley behind the Ducal Prison
southern Italy is uncharted territory for me
feels like it could be a Levantine or North African city where they happen to speak a (dialect-ridden version of) Italian
different from the central belt between Rome and Florence that is so heavily touristy
Zeppole (zeppola in the singular) is a traditional doughnut-like fritter that
is twisted into a coil and topped with yumminess
with deep-fried choux pastry providing a nest of your choice of topping: old school butter and honey
You can find more American-style round ring doughnuts covered in sugar
and while you can get them just about anywhere in Italy these days
their true home is anywhere south of Rome (where they are called Bignè di San Giuseppe)
they are called blenzi; in Malta they’re made savoury and stuffed with anchovies; Italian-Americans call them crispelli
Now let’s pause for moment and weigh the relative merits of the zeppole and the beignet
a distant fried-dough cousin across the border in France
meaning the dough has no yeast but rises from its own steam
and their name stems from a root word meaning bump or lump
I’ll let the reader draw their own conclusions about which pastry triumphs
The Feast of Saint Joseph began as a thanksgiving celebration for the saint allegedly having saved the island of Sicily from a drought at some point during the 10th century and was declared an official Catholic holiday in 1479
This led to Joseph being named “patron saint of pastry chefs,” which is what I think I’d like to be named
if I am ever canonised (it’s a sweeter deal than Saint Crispin
was not cost-effective and was not regularly done until much later
so zeppole are a newer addition to the March 19 celebrations
Some cite the convent of Santa Patrizia in Naples as having first made zeppole (a baked version
But everyone seems to agree that it was made popular by Pasquale Pintauro
who set up a cart on the street every March 19 to sell to celebrating pedestrians
I’m not very good with pastry or with deep-frying
I am guaranteed to spray hot oil all over the room
sneeze at an inopportune moment to send a snowfall of powder sugar onto the dog
I avoid making pastries and avoid deep-frying
It was inevitable that I would shower the kitchen with projectile ingredients when trying my hand at it
sugar and butter (slightly) overflowed and stuck to the pot
despite recipes with a specific warning not to let it boil over and that it might stick to the pot
The flour went in smoothly (both into the pot and onto the cooktop)
but my beating in of the eggs resulted in clumps of gooey-ness shimmying around the workspace
I’m impatient and didn’t let it cool enough before pouring it into a pastry bag
The hot oil into which I squeezed out the pastry sputtered all around
I managed to undercook or overcook the pastry in the hot oil
then had it boiling too forcefully so the pastry explodes
But if you are brave or more adept with the deep fryer than me
here are a few more zeppole tips and tricks that would make Pasquale proud
The best oil for frying the pastries is a neutral oil with high smoke point: vegetable oil
you can actually bake zeppole following a method similar to the one you would use for baking doughnuts.
If you want to make your zeppole even more indulgent
Some are filled with ricotta mixed with small pieces of chocolate
Zeppole can also be savoury and are sometimes filled with anchovy in parts of Calabria
Discover Naples Cuisine and the Italian Zeppole Recipe
which takes place during Lent as a Roman Catholic feast day, is March 19
many pastry shops and bakeries offer special pastries called zeppole di San Giuseppe or sfingi di San Giuseppe
These cream-filled pastries are topped with powdered sugar and citrus fruits
They used to be only available during Lent and on the St
Here are some options throughout the Hudson Valley and Arthur Avenue in the Bronx
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head to one of these Italian bakeries near Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for the pastries:
Artuso, 670 E. 187th St.,718-367-2515Delillo, 10 E. 187th St., 718-367-8198Egidio, 622 E. 187th St., 718-295-6077Gino's , 580 E. 187th St., 718-584-3558Morrone Pastry Shop & Café, 2349 Arthur Ave. 718-733-0424Karen Croke is the features editor for lohud.com and poughkeepsiejournal.com. Find my stories here. Reach me at kcroke1@lohud.com
the Biblical foster father of Jesus Christ
has received a lot of honor over the past two millennia
But a bread-sculpted alligator may be a new offering
This particular sculpture is one of the unique ways Italian-Americans in New Orleans have adapted the Sicilian tradition of edible St
rich with fava beans and fragrant with flowers
They're also piled high with a unique art form: elaborate bread sculptures
in shapes ranging from Christian crosses and fish to woodworking tools symbolizing the carpenter saint
show off the skills of talented local bakers
particularly in towns such as Western Sicily's Salemi
In Sicily and some parts of Southern Italy
some of which also offer free meals to visitors
Local festivities include processions carrying the saint's statue through piazzas
illuminated by neon lights and surrounded by colorful confetti
Sicilian-Americans have added their own flair to the festival
Joseph's tables in cities across the country
Besides including bread sculptures of local reptiles
Sicilian-Americans in New Orleans—whose French Quarter was once called \"Little Palermo\"— throw a colorful annual St
Other dishes include fried vegetables or fish
and fresh fried donuts stuffed with sweet ricotta known as sfingi or zeppole di San Giuseppe
Joseph’s Day altars in the United States.
They’re also piled high with a unique art form: elaborate bread sculptures
particularly in towns such as Western Sicily’s Salemi
Local festivities include processions carrying the saint’s statue through piazzas, illuminated by neon lights and surrounded by colorful confetti
Joseph’s tables in cities across the country
Sicilian-Americans in New Orleans—whose French Quarter was once called “Little Palermo”— throw a colorful annual St
and fresh fried donuts stuffed with sweet ricotta known as sfingi or zeppole di San Giuseppe
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is famous for its bread sculptures and annual St
Check before you go for information on that year's events
Joseph's Day table in the market every year
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While many golfers are known to smoke cigars on the course, John Daly is known for enjoying cigarettes while golfing
Perhaps his smoking preference will change now that there are two cigar blends with his name on them
who won the PGA Championship in 1991 and The Open in 1995
has partnered with San Giuseppe Cigars for two new lines of cigars that will begin shipping next month
that uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over a Dominican binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Pennsylvania
It has an MSRP of $12.50 per cigar and is sold in boxes of 20 cigars
Daly came up with the Short Game part of the name—a golf term—while speaking with Kid Rock
Daly called the musician and asked him what his favorite cigar was; he replied
“Arturo Fuente Short Story.” Inspired by that name
The other release incorporates a different Daly nickname; it’s called The Lion Long Game
That cigar measures 6 1/4 x 52 and uses an Ecuadorian habano 2000 wrapper over an Ecuadorian binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Ecuador
It has an MSRP of $22.50 per cigar and is offered in boxes of 10 cigars
though Messina said the company would offer retailers the opportunity to purchase bundle refills which should reduce the cost of the cigars
both cigars are offered in 300 numbered boxes
which will be sold through San Giuseppe’s website as well as retailers
Those boxes also include a realistic-looking signature
though the signature is printed on as Daly did not sign the boxes
future cigars will come in boxes that are not numbered
The cigars are made in the Dominican Republic at an undisclosed factory
though Messina says the company has an ownership stake in that factory
Joseph Bonanno founded San Giuseppe in 2021
The company sells cigars under the San Giuseppe and has licensing deals with professional athletes
which are sold under the Major League Cigars name
The first of those cigars was released last August
The company then added a cigar produced in partnership with Fergie Jenkins
a former Cy Young award winner and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee
The John Daly Collection cigars will begin shipping in mid-May
I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media
I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed
I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade
covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A
I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel
wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros
Let me start by saying that I have no animosity towards the Irish
I hold no grudge against all of those from the Emerald Isle
I even think that Lucky Charms are magically delicious
the good sisters of Saint Joseph told all these little Italian American boys and girls that everyone was Irish on St
We would all wear green under threat of being pinched for not doing so
cut out little shamrocks and sing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” All great fun
after all my Medighan friends had recovered from drinking green beer while eating corned beef and cabbage
All the Italian kids would happily wear red without any encouragement from the nuns
I don’t remember the Sisters of Saint Joseph even mentioning that the day was special
an irony that did not occur to me until I wrote that sentence.
Despite the day passing unnoticed by most Medigahns
the day has special significance to the Italian people
a drought had struck the island causing a famine
The Sicilians prayed to Saint Joseph to save them
you will find La Festa di San Giuseppe celebrations.
we gift fathers with ties and coffee mugs emblazoned with World’s Greatest Dad
Italian Father’s Day has a more holistic feel to it
celebration altars are set up in remembrance of the Holy Family with Saint Joseph in the place of honor
the community selects three members to represent the Holy Family
They are seated at a table of food specially prepared for the day
the celebration begins and everyone is welcome to eat as much as they like.
The food on the table carries a special significance
Loaves of bread are baked into different shapes such as carpenter’s tools
a staff and a cross as well as various animals and sea creatures celebrating the abundance of the earth
You will not find any meat or dairy on Saint Joseph’s day
rather than sprinkling their food with cheese
breadcrumbs are used to symbolize sawdust.
I associate La Festa di San Giuseppe with food
My mother would make her special Saint Joseph’s Day spaghetti to celebrate the holyday
In keeping with the sharing spirit of the day
she would send me around the neighborhood with pots of the stuff for various friends
She wanted to ensure the older Sicilians who might not be able to observe the day were able to enjoy at least some part of the tradition.
seem to be second to mothers in the hearts of their children
How the heck do you compete with a woman like Mary
Since the scripture does not say much about him after the birth of Jesus
I believe most people underestimate not only the faith of this man but his kindness
He initially intended to break off the betrothal quietly so as not to humiliate her
I am looking forward to eating corned beef and cabbage
I might even start the day with a bowl of Lucky Charms
The high point of March for me though is La Festa di San Giuseppe.
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Giuseppe Manco didn’t know what to expect on Oct
the day his restaurant in University Village Shops near Florida Gulf Coast University held its soft opening
“There were 150 guests on that first day,” he said
And when San Matteo Italian Restaurant & Bar held its grand opening Dec
a co-owner along with his wife Eleonora Calvacchi and chef and business partner Fabio Casella
The path that brought him here is a winding one
he “always wanted to come to the United States.”
He was in the “right place at the right time” when he got a job, ironically enough, in Naples where he worked for Rossopomodoro’s first U.S
He ultimately worked his way to New York City where he accrued a list of honors and credentials
including three titles as World Champion Pizza Maker at the Las Vegas Pizza World Championship and stints as an executive chef for Iron Chef judge and chef Donatella Arpaia
He and Calvacchi co-owned the award-winning Mani in Pasta in the East Village
After COVID
From Aldos to San MatteoThe plan was to open a restaurant in Naples, but a friend told him to try Aldos Italian Table & Bar off Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. It's in the same shopping and dining area as Mellow Mushroom, Fat Katz Slider Bar
“As soon as I walked in the door and looked at the space
I knew this was the kind of restaurant I would like to own,” Manco said
Manco and Calvacchi partnered with Casella
a two-time champion of Burger Bash in New York City who founded the popular San Matteo on the Upper East Side with his brother Ciro
That brings us back to San Matteo’s soft opening when 150 guests showed up “without spreading the word to any of our beloved customers.”
added a hanger for our meats and dry-aged steaks from Pat LaFrieda and a wine cellar,” Manco said
Red and white tiles — from the Amalfi Coast and representing places and objects in Italy — add pops of color to the timeless black
You’ll find Manco everywhere in that dining room — greeting customers
even singing with his staff to guests celebrating birthdays
working late into the night and early morning hours to make sure everything is just so
You’ll also see his influence all over the authentic Italian menu with modern touches
While one section features Italian-American favorites held over from Aldos (think fettuccine alfredo
“We want to bring this to the next level,” he said
Some of Casella's signature dishes from his New York location are on the menu
including the San Matteo burger and the Pollo San Matteo
Although Manco will “recommend everything because all of the dishes are good,” he does have his favorites from all the starters
This pizza undergoes three cooking processes — it's fried
baked in a conventional oven and finished in a brick oven
a one-pound Burrata filled with Stracciatella cream and Bocconcini di mozzarella
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Manco’s pasta favorites include the slow-cooked veal and onion ragu with Parmigiano and basil
and the spaghettoni con datterini with yellow and red tomatoes from Corbara
sesame-seed crusted and marinated tuna served over farro and asparagus
The Delizia from Sorrento and ricotta and pear cheesecake from the Amalfi Coast are two of his favorites
“My favorite dishes are the ones that you won’t find in any other restaurant around here,” Manco said
San Matteo Italian Restaurant & Bar, 19810 Village Center Drive, Suite 145A; open 4-10 p.m. Monday to Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday; happy hour daily from 4-5:30 p.m.; (239) 234-2536; sanmatteorestaurant.com or follow on Instagram
Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to rhgeorge@gannett.com
also known as Saint Joseph's Day or the Feast of Saint Joseph
the Catholic feast day for father for Jesus' father
fried dough typically topped with powdered sugar
and on San Giuseppe Day they're usually eaten and placed on altars along with bread
One of Toronto's most popular Italian bakeries, SanRemo
makes popular zeppole the entire month of March
A post shared by SanRemo (@sanremobakery)
Ed Bozzo of SanRemo told blogTO they'll be making all 15,000 of theirs by hand and filling them with things like custard
he says they're making some with limoncello and a version with Baci chocolates
Chef Francesco Lefano and his team at Amico Bakery are making their own versions of the pastry in five flavours: crema-amarena
They had made about 3,000 when blogTO caught up with them on Friday
and they were selling as fast as the team could make them
"We're getting close right now to selling out," manager Linda Plati says
but it will just be while supplies last for the rest of the day."
STEUBENVILLE — The Italian American Cultural Club members met March 13 at Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern in Steubenville
and they celebrated La Festa Di San Giuseppe with a traditional St
A display of breads made by members Lucia Scaffidi
Kathryn DiCarlantonio and Mariella Pittera depicted flowers
One piece of the artwork made with bread characterized a monstrance
Joseph’s life and history in preparation for his feast day on March 19
members enjoyed a roast beef dinner followed by desserts of fresh fruit and Italian pastries
including the annual scholarship awards dinner as well as Campo Italiano
The next meeting will be held April 10 at the Mingo Knights of Columbus hall in Mingo Junction
Information about the club is on the Facebook page at The Italian American Cultural Club
A feast celebration held in honor of Jesus's earthly dad Joseph (husband of Mary)
thus allowing Christians — for a day — to break their holy fasts
sing the Gloria and indulge in a deep-fried St
here's the thing; if you're anything like me
You don't need a special occasion to crush a cream-stuffed St
Italian bakeries are as common as forgetting to celebrate St
if you also missed out on the biblical figure's commemorative feast
Here are the top seven Italian pastries of all time
This popular pastry may have originated in Eastern Europe
but — by the 19th century — it found its way to Naples
where it has since become one of the region's most iconic desserts
residents of the port city put their own spin on the dish
sticky treat we now see in many Italian-American bakeries
Golden sponge cakes that have been soaked in citrusy rum syrup and finished with glaze
They're also often stuffed with cream (especially in New Jersey)
Where to get: L'Arte della Pasticceria in Ramsey offers three varieties of rum baba, including original, pastry cream-topped and limoncello. Go: 109 E Main St., Ramsey; 201-934-3211, larte.biz
Pasticciotti are mini Italian custard pies featuring pastry dough around a filling of sweet ricotta cheese or egg custard
the shell is shortbread-reminiscent in taste
Though fruity and chocolate varieties can be made (the small treats are similar in concept to cream puffs
as it lies somewhere between a Portuguese egg custard tart and a buttery Tastykake hand pie
Where to get: This is an easy one. Rispoli Pastry Shop is one of the best Italian bakeries in Jersey, and makes top-tier pasticciotti. Go: Two locations, Emerson and Ridgefield; rispolipastryshop.com
bomboloni are a common dessert in plenty of local restaurants
Stuffed to the brim with Nutella or pastry cream (or jam
their name translates to "big bomb" — a suitable title for something bursting at the seams with creamy decadence
and nearly melts in your mouth when you eat it
They're finished with a sweet dusting of powdered sugar
Where to get: Mattarello Bakery in Montclair serves delicious bomboloni in a variety of flavors. Go: 254 Bellevue Ave., Montclair; 973-337-6275, mattarellobakery.com
Joseph's Zeppole)If you didn't understand the St
Joseph's zeppole reference in the beginning of this article
these are the pastries I was talking about (surely now that you've seen the picture
Going by the formal name of Zeppole di San Giuseppe
they feature slightly sweetened choux pastry dough rings — deep-fried or baked — around a cool filling of whipped cream
Essentially a French cruller around the center of a Boston cream donut
this decadent treat combines multiple great desserts into one
compared to other Italian pastries that come in sampler boxes
A small pastry featuring many layers of croissant-like pastry dough tightly formed in the shape of a shell
the delectable treats are on the table at just about every Christmas party
Easter dinner or Italian wedding in the region
Like most other Italian pastries on this list
though — which primarily use cold pastry cream — they have a distinct ricotta filling that is baked into their shells as they cook
This leaves the little desserts with a dense center reminiscent to a cheesecake
crispier and more unique than competing desserts
the bite-sized sweets are easily a top three finisher on this list
Where to get: With a 4.7 star cumulative rating on Google (and a 4.5 on Yelp), Giancarlo's Bakery in Ledgewood is a local favorite for Italian treats. Its excellently textured sfogliatelle are no exception. Go: 410 Route 10, Ledgewood; 973-252-5051, giancarlosbakery.com
Where to get: Lyndhurst Pastry Shop has been open for 75 years, and — in that time — has nearly perfected the cannolo. Go: 256 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst; 201-939-3951, lyndhurstpastryshop.com
Lobster TailIrresistibly crunchy on the outside
the cream-stuffed lobster tail is the absolute king of bakery pastries
With the same crispy shell as sfogliatelle — but paper thin — the massive dessert is 95% filling (and
Coming in three varieties (whipped cream center
the best one is hands-down the cannoli-filled
A truly euphoric dessert — from its outstanding texture to extraordinary density — the Italian-American delicacy is 70 calories of pastry
Where to get: There are a million lobster tails in North Jersey, but Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace makes the cannoli cream ones, and they're amazing. Go: Two locations, Ramsey and Morris Plains; uncleg.com
The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles opened a new temporary exhibition this month, St. Joseph’s Tables: Expressions of Devotion, Charity, and Abundance
which explores the cultural-religious tradition of St
The table altars are among the richest expressions of Italian American cultural identity and embody a living tradition that has transcended ethnic lines
Joseph is one of the most venerated saints in Christianity: He is the patron saint of immigrants
the practice of creating large food altars
when there was a severe drought and famine in Sicily
This event became an annual tradition held around St
Sicilian immigrants brought this practice with them to the United States
are erected as an expression of gratitude or in fulfillment of a vow made to St
They were originally constructed in private homes before expanding into churches and community centers
they are considered an intersection between the sacred and the profane
Joseph feast day celebrations typically include a large community meal at which all are welcomed
While the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) is not the first museum to host a St
the exhibition is designed to communicate the significance of this tradition to those who may be unfamiliar with the practice
and Abundance also chronicles the life of St
the man who is often referred to as “the silent saint,” and traces the saint’s rise to prominence in the Catholic Church
Joseph’s Tables from their beginnings in Sicily through their transplantation to diasporic communities in the United States
The exhibition also showcases contemporary manifestations of St
as well as contemporary practices in Sicily
which occupies over 125 square feet of floor space
and contains hundreds of items that carry symbolic and historical meaning
Italian American Museum of Los Angeles director and historian Marianna Gatto curated the table-altar and wrote the exhibition
Among the items displayed are traditional St
ornate pictographic breads are also known as vasteddi
One of the breads references the eyes of St
while another depicts all five decades of the Rosary
It received contributions from New York; Houston Texas; Independence
Louisiana; elsewhere in California; and Lodi
The contributions that participants sent are as diverse as their makers
and squartucciati—are made using a variety of techniques
including spreading a fig mixture between two thin sheets of dough and carving portions off the top layer of dough to create intricate designs
This culinary art form first emerged during Sicily’s Baroque period
Food historian and New Orleans resident Sandra Scalise-Juneau was among the donors of this traditional culinary art form
Scalise-Juneau has led workshops to instruct younger generations in this century old tradition
a decades’ old Italian grocery and deli in one of Pueblo’s historic Italian enclaves
and Palmieri baked several of the cucciddati featured in the exhibition
“This exhibition offers an intimate look at a much-revered ritual that
exists at the very heart of our cultural identity,” says Marianna Gatto
executive director of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles
“Because many IAMLA visitors are not of Italian extraction
the exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to experience and preserve this tradition and impart it to diverse cultures,” Gatto continues
“It also encourages us to embrace the themes central to St
including community interconnectivity and concern for the less fortunate.”
There's an urgency to learn from our Italian ancestors
who risked the familiar in search of a future
Japan's surrender marked the end of WWII on Sept
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