The religious celebration of San Giuseppe in Italy coincides with the secular feast dedicated to fathers. A party that was born at the beginning of the last century, together with the day dedicated to mothers to thank all fathers for their role as parents. In the world, Father's Day is celebrated on different days and also in different ways according to the traditions of the various countries.
St. Joseph, the father par excellence
The cult of Saint Joseph is very ancient and seems to have been born in the East in the High Middle Ages. The solemnity falls on March 19, the day on which the saint concludes his earthly life. In 1479 Pope Sixtus IV dedicate this day to Saint Joseph, the putative father of Jesus. Subsequently, in 1621 Gregory XV declares March 19 a holiday of obligation and in 1870 Pius IX proclaims Saint Joseph patron of the universal church. So the father par excellence, a model figure, is Joseph the humble carpenter who agrees to raise the divine fruit of Mary's womb as his son. Like many Catholic holidays, the solemnity dedicated to the foster father of Jesus it has pagan references. In fact, in the peasant tradition, on the eve of the spring equinox, the remains of the harvest were set on fire, most likely to solemnly greet the season of rebirth.
Rites and tradition
To remember this ancient rite in many places in Southern Italy the bonfire of St. Joseph as propitiatory rites to invoke fertility of the fields and copious harvests. Among the regions where this custom is perpetrated Campania, Puglia and Basilicata. Si lights the fire and celebrates because, according to popular beliefs, the flames destroy everything that is old and give way to the new. It is a real passage from one season to another, between the cold winter and the colorful and warm spring.
Almost everywhere the bonfires are accompanied by songs and dances and also by beautiful tables set with the products of the land to further enrich the party with delicious tastings. And, again, during the bonfires of San Giuseppe it is traditional to burn an olive branch in the flames, a symbol of peace and Christianity. The wish is that of a new life blessed by God, with serenity in hearts, for a true and concrete fraternity which is always so much needed. Especially in today's world oppressed by wars and afflicted by so many other calamities.
The date of the cult of St. Joseph which normally falls on March 19, is sometimes postponed. This happens when March 19 falls within Holy Week or coincides with Palm Sunday or a Sunday in Lent. Coincidence that exists this year with the 20th Sunday of Lent and, therefore, the solemnity of St. Joseph is moved to Monday XNUMX March.
(Highlighted St. Joseph -work by Guido Reni/Wikipedia public domain)
