Saint Joseph Altar

Front 1

When is Saint Joseph's Day?

Back 1

March 19

Front 2

Where did the Saint Joseph Altar start?

Back 2

Sicily, Italy

Front 3

What happened in Italy that made the people pray to Saint Joseph?

Back 3

a drought (famine)

Front 4

Who did the people pray to and why?

Back 4

Saint Joseph for rain

Front 5

Did it rain?

Back 5

yes

Front 6

What did the people promise Saint Joseph?

Back 6

a feast, banquet, altar of various foods

Front 7

Who was invited to eat?

Back 7

everyone

Front 8

What kind of food can be on the altar?

Back 8

fruits, vegetables, desserts, fish, seafood, cookies, and spaghetti (anything but meat)

Front 9

Why is there no meat on the altar?

Back 9

The feast is held during Lent and meat was rare.

Front 10

What does Tupa Tupa mean?

Back 10

knock knock

Front 11

Who are in the Holy Family?

Back 11

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Front 12

Why is Tupa Tupa done during a Saint Joseph Altar?

Back 12

It is a reenactment of Joseph and Mary searching for shelter as well as the Holy Family searching for food. They were refused at the first two doors. At the third door, they were welcomed.

Front 13

Who eats first from a Saint Joseph Altar?

Back 13

Saints (the people who represent the saints)

Front 14

What do the three steps represent?

Back 14

Blessed Trinity/Holy Trinity

Front 15

What is the name in English that holds the Sacred Host?

Back 15

Monstrance

Front 16

What is the name in Italian that holds the Sacred Host?

Back 16

Spada

Front 17

Why are there different shaped breads on the altar?

Back 17

It represents Saint Joseph as a carpenter and Jesus. The most common are ladder, staff, crown, beard, cross, and palm. There are also saw, hammer, and nails. Bread can be in any shape.

Front 18

Can the shaped breads be eaten?

Back 18

Yes, for our altar at Holy Ghost Catholic School.

Front 19

What is another thing to do with the bread?

Back 19

While saying a prayer, throw a piece of the bread outside your door during a storm and your house will be protected. Also, you are praying for the storm to end.

Front 20

What is the fried pastry balls joined together in the shape of a pine cone called?

Back 20

Pignolatti

Front 21

What does Pignolatti represent when it is loose?

Back 21

teardrops of Jesus and Mary

Front 22

What is baked bread which has a dyed Easter egg inside of it?

Back 22

Pupaculova

Front 23

What does the egg represent inside of the Pupaculova?

Back 23

the coming of Easter and new life

Front 24

What is the name for the breadcrumbs?

Back 24

Mudica

Front 25

What does Mudica represent?

Back 25

sawdust since Joseph was a carpenter

Front 26

What is the name of the beans that grew very fast?

Back 26

Fava beans

Front 27

What is another name for Fava beans?

Back 27

Lucky beans

Front 28

Why are Fava beans called Lucky beans?

Back 28

It was the only crop that survived the drought so it is called the lucky bean. The legend goes if you carry a fava bean/lucky bean in your pocket or purse you will never be without money, and the pantry with a fava bean in it will never be bare (empty).

Front 29

Why is the Saint Joseph Altar called a labor of love?

Back 29

It is hard work that is done for the love of Saint Joseph. The food is offered to everyone.

Front 30

What does the Lamb represent?

Back 30

Jesus as the Lamb of God

Front 31

What does the fish represent?

Back 31

twelve apostles and the miracle of loaves and fish

Front 32

What does the cross represent?

Back 32

crucifixion of Christ

Front 33

What does the wine represent?

Back 33

Miracle of Cana and the vineyards of Sicily

Front 34

What does the bread and wine represent?

Back 34

Consecration of the Last Supper

Front 35

Spada holds the Sacred Host. What language is Spada?

Back 35

Italian

Front 36

What time of the Church year is a Saint Joseph Altar?

Back 36

Lent

Front 37

Monstrance holds the Sacred Host. What language is Monstrance?

Back 37

English

Front 38

What grew quickly and became a source of food?

Back 38

Fava Beans

Front 39

What is considered a labor of love?

Back 39

Saint Joseph Altar

Front 40

What are the Holy Family looking for when they knock?

Back 40

Food and shelter

Front 41

What is inside a Monstrance or Spada?

Back 41

Sacred Host

Front 42

What is a Saint Joseph Altar called because it is hard work?

Back 42

Labor of Love

Front 43

What is on the altar to represent the Blessed Trinity (Holy Trinity)?

Back 43

three steps

Front 44

What is never on a Saint Joseph Altar?

Back 44

meat

Front 45

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are called the ____.

Back 45

Holy Family

Front 46

Pignolatti is made into what shape?

Back 46

a pinecone

Front 47

Why is the Pignolatti made into the shape of a pinecone?

Back 47

to represent what Jesus played with as a child

Front 48

What is on the altar to represent twelve apostles and the miracle of the loaves and fish?

Back 48

fish

Front 49

Why do people carry lucky beans (fava beans)?

Back 49

Legend has it that people who carry lucky beans (fava beans) will always have money.

Front 50

What is on the altar to represent the Miracle of Cana?

Back 50

wine

Front 51

What is a Pupaculova?

Back 51

Bread with dyed Easter egg to represent the coming of Easter

Front 52

This represents the Crucifixion of Christ.

Back 52

Cross

Front 53

What was Saint Joseph's job?

Back 53

carpenter

Front 54

Why are altars made?

Back 54

Originally an altar was prepared to honor and thank Saint Joseph for the rain. Now people promise to have an altar to thank Saint Joseph for various things such as cures from sickness and for having safe trips. It is a source of petition and of thanksgiving.

Front 55

When doing the reenactment of the Holy Family knocking on the doors, what door will they be welcomed to come in?

Back 55

Third

Front 56

Why do people throw Saint Joseph Bread outside during a storm?

Back 56

to protect their home and for the storm to end

Front 57

What is Pignolatti?

Back 57

Fried pastry

Front 58

What is the ladder, staff, cross, beard, crown, and palm made out of to use on the altar?

Back 58

bread

Front 59

What is it called when the Holy Family knocks on the door?

Back 59

Tupa Tupa

Front 60

What is Mudica?

Back 60

breadcrumbs which can be sprinkled over the spaghetti--it represents sawdust since Joseph was a carpenter

Front 61

What is Saint Joseph in Italian?

Back 61

San Giuseppe

Front 62

Who brought the Saint Joseph Altar tradition to America?

Back 62

Italians (people from Italy)

Front 63

A promise or a favor are basically the two

reasons why people have a ____

Back 63

Saint Joseph Altar

Front 64

What is said nine straight days before a Saint

Joseph Altar? What exactly is it?

Back 64

a Novena

series of prayers

Front 65

How does the public know if there is a Saint

Joseph Altar?

Back 65

palm branches are placed outside the door

Front 66

What do the palm branches on the door mean?

Back 66

there is a Saint Joseph Altar inside and everyone is welcomed

Front 67

Where do the Saints go during the Tupa Tupa Ceremony?

Back 67

three doors

Front 68

Which door are they welcomed?

Back 68

third door

Front 69

Where is a picture or statue of Saint Joseph placed on the altar?

Back 69

the center of the highest step

Front 70

What is done to represent the poor people

begging for food?

Back 70

asking for donations

Front 71

What does a heart cake represent?

Back 71

Sacred Heart of Jesus/Immaculate Heart of Mary

Front 72

Why are the fava beans a part of the Saint

Joseph Altar?

Back 72

to represent the only crop that survived the drought

Front 73

Why should people still have Saint Joseph Altars?