NEW ORLEANS — In the Middle Ages, a devastating famine led Sicilian farmers to pray to St. Joseph for his intercession. When their prayers were answered and their crops and livestock rebounded, the tradition of giving thanks with a St. Joseph altar began.
This year, there will be no doubt prayers of a different kind on March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph, when Italian-Americans and people of Sicilian heritage pray for those affected by Coronavirus.
Concerns over the spread of the virus, which has devastated Italy and is prompting unprecedented reaction in the U.S., will mean changes to the elaborate altars erected here next week by Catholic churches, schools, groups and families of various faiths and nationalities.
Some altars will likely be canceled - out of concern for large crowds, at-risk elderly guests and volunteers - while others will suspend the practice of sharing food and handmade cookies, breads and cakes with the public.
A letter Friday to local Catholics from Archbishop Gregory Aymond stopped short of canceling altars organized by churches, but urged caution and mostly left the decisions on how to proceed up to church pastors and altar organizers.
"Parishes hosting St. Joseph altars should give strong consideration to the Governor’s Executive Order (regarding large gatherings) and make plans accordingly. I ask that those parishes planning a public serving of a meal in conjunction with their St. Joseph altar consider suspending that practice this year. Please remind volunteers to practice good hygiene throughout these events," Aymond wrote.
This Saturday, the 50th annual St. Joseph's parade (which always features a St. Joseph altar float) would have brought thousands of people to the streets of the French Quarter.
It was canceled earlier this week, but the Italian American St. Joseph's Society celebrated on Friday as it normally would have on the day before - with a huge pasta party at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. It was a moment of levity and fun during what has been a challenging week for many.
"Bring forth the pasta!" bellowed Judge Tony Russo, as he has for decades, to kick off the pasta party, accompanied by a band playing the bouncy Italian song "Che La Luna."
The huge pasta dish is the traditional pasta con sardi, which is a traditional meatless dish made with sardines and tomato gravy - in this case, 150 gallons of gravy served over 500 pounds of pasta.
Taking part in the celebration were actor Michael Badalucco, this year's grand marshal, and this year's queen, Anabella Odillie Imbornone.
Video above edited by Brian Lukas.