St. Joseph’s Altar – ITE AD JOSEPH

St. Joseph’s Altar

The tradition of setting up an altar to St. Joseph in private homes and parish churches . . .

. . . began in Sicily as an act of thanksgiving to St. Joseph for his intercession bringing to an end a severe drought that had caused a famine on the island. The altar would be set up and adorned with candles flowers and foods that would be enjoyed on the occasion of his feast day (March 20th this year). Anything left over would be donated in his name to the poor.

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Island’s altar to St. Joseph is part of our Lenten observance. Here we will be collecting donations of non-perishable foods that will then be given in support of the outreach efforts (food pantry and soup kitchen) of St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in Brentwood, Long Island, New York.

We encourage all Queen of All Hearts members on Long Island to visit the Shrine on or before St. Joseph’s Feast Day and linger a few moments in prayer asking St. Joseph’s intercession on behalf of the many individuals and families here on Long Island that lack basic necessities and to inspire in the hearts of all the Christian faithful a renewed spirit of generosity that we may more effectively care for them.

Visitors are likewise encouraged to consider leaving a donation of one, or several, non-perishable food items here at the St. Joseph Altar so that our collective generosity might be truly abundant and effective in the service of the poor.

Donations will be collected here up to, and including, the joyful celebration of the Solemn Feast of St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary, on Monday, March 20th.

ITE AD JOSEPH

GO TO JOSEPH

Listen to more details about the St. Joseph Altar, the background and its blessing, within this seven-minute audio. Join us at the Shrine and participate in this special Lenten project.