St. Joseph's Altar
Long ago the people of Sicily were delivered from drought and famine through the intercession of St. Joseph. In thanksgiving for the good harvest, they prepared the first St. Joseph's Altar, also called a St. Joseph's Table. The St. Joseph's Altar is set up in church halls or private homes and blessed. It includes a colorful array of pastries, breads, fruits, vegetables, fish, drinks, etc. Meatless spaghetti is sprinkled with bread crumbs representing the sawdust of St. Joseph's carpenter shop. Decorative dough and fig symbols also adorn the altar, and bread itself is specially shaped.

1. Divide 2 loaves' worth of bread dough into 3 equal portions.
2. Roll each into a 2-foot rope.
3. Pinch/ twist ropes together at one end.
4. Braid, then pinch/twist ends together.
5. Curve one end to form “St. Joseph’s Staff.”
6. Place on non-stick baking sheet.
7. Let rise.
8. Bake at 325°F until golden.
9. When bread is cool enough to touch, apply water with your hand to soften the crust.
 

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