St Josephs Day

Saint Joseph's Day, also known as the Feast of St. Joseph, is the Patron Feast day for persons named Joseph, Josephine, Giuseppe, any variation on Joseph, for religious orders, schools and parishes bearing his name, and for carpenters. It is also Father's Day in some Catholic countries like Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy. It is observed on March 19th by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. March 19th was dedicated to Saint Joseph in several Western calendars in the tenth century. It was adopted in Rome in 1479, and in 1621 it was added to the General Roman Calendar for celebration throughout the Latin Rite.

Sicily

In Sicily, where St. Joseph is regarded by many as their Patron Saint, thanks are given to St. Joseph ("San Giuseppe" in Italian) for preventing a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages.
According to legend, there was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if he answered their prayers, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. The rain did come, and the people of Sicily prepared a large banquet for their
patron saint.

United States

In New Orleans, Louisiana, which was a major port of entry for Sicilian immigrants during the late 19th century, the Feast of St. Joseph is a city-wide event. Both public and private St. Joseph's altars are traditionally built. The altars are available to any visitor who wishes to pay homage. The food is generally distributed to charity after the altar is dismantled.

In the Mid-Atlantic regions, St Joseph's day is traditionally associated with the return of anadromous fish, such as striped bass, to their natal rivers, such as the Delaware. St Joseph's Day is also celebrated in other Italian-American communities such as NewYork City, NY, Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, Gloucester, Mass, Kansas City, MO, and Rhode Island.

Philippines

In The Philippines, many families keep a tradition in which an old man, a young lady and a small boy are chosen from the poor and dressed up as St. Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and the child Jesus. They sit around a table set with the family's best silverware and china, and served a variety of courses and literally spoon-fed by senior members of the family, while the Novena to St. Joseph is recited at a nearby temporary altar.