Le tables of Saint Joseph they are one of the most important events of the Salento tradition. They take place in March on the occasion of the feast of Saint Joseph and have a noble origin that dates back to the Middle Ages.
According to medieval tradition, every year on March 18th and 19th, the richest families opened the doors of their homes to host and feed the poor.
Today, although there is no longer the same social disparity as in the past, the San Giuseppe tables are organized between relatives and friends, but there are also those who open their doors to let those passing by taste the dishes prepared.
How the St. Joseph's Tables event takes place
The banquet is anything but improvised, but is organized in detail following a series of rules, starting from the choice of the tablecloth which must be strictly white embroidered, while the image of Saint Joseph or the Holy Family must be placed in the center of the table.
The "taula" is made up of 169 dishes (13 dishes for 13 saints) and is enriched with donut-shaped loaves weighing 5 or 3 kilos.
A stick covered with white flowers is placed next to the chair of the diner who has the "part" of Saint Joseph, in memory of the miracle which, according to legend, allowed Joseph to be identified as Mary's husband.
The guests, after having participated in the mass, go to the house where the lunch will take place and await the priest for the blessing, after which the guests sit at the table. It is up to Saint Joseph to decide when to start eating each dish by tapping his fork on the edge of the plate three times. At that signal all the other saints must stop eating and move on to the next dish, served by members of the host family.
At the end of the meal the saints take away with them everything that is left, praying to Saint Joseph to grant their wishes and aspirations.
