The St. Joseph's Altar at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is adorned with fresh fruits and vegetables, elaborate bread sculptures and desserts representing different symbols of St. Joseph, including lilies, ladders and a staff. Although originally started in Sicily, the tradition of creating a St. Joseph's Altar has spread around the world.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
A.J. Labello, playing Joseph, leads Tyler Rivers, playing Jesus, and Lindsey Brocato, playing Mary, around door-to-door searching for food and lodging during the "Tupa-Tupa," or the knocking ceremony. The Holy Family is rejected twice before being allowed in to sample each offering on the St. Jospeh's Altar.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Ornate bread sculptures representing Jesus are displayed on St. Joseph's Altar at Immaculate Conception. These ornate bread sculptures are kept frozen to be reused.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Cannolis, sporting the colors of the Italian flag, adorn the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church's St. Joseph's Altar on Saturday, March 17. Although originally begun in Sicily, the tradition of preparing St. Joseph's Altar has spread around the world.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Cookies sporting the Italian flag, fruits and candles adorn St. Joseph's Altar at Immaculate Conception on Saturday, March 16.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
June Bowen (right) sprinkles a spiced breadcrumb mixture, representing St. Joseph's sawdust as a carpenter, on Kathy White's plate. White traveled down from Vienna, Virginia, to celebrate the St. Joseph's Altar with her aunt for the first time since her childhood growing up in New Orleans.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Kay Palmer takes a closer look at the elaborate breads, desserts and fruits that adorn Immaculate Conception's St. Joseph's Altar on Saturday, March 16.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Mary Guzzardo, one of the three remaining original members who started Immaculate Conception's St. Joseph's Altar, reads a prayer asking for St. Joseph's intersession to begin the "Tupa-Tupa," or the knocking ceremony. The "Tupa-Tupa" ceremony includes actors portraying Joseph, Jesus and Mary going door-to-door seeking food and shelter.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Cakes in the form of a rosary, featuring images of St. Joseph and baby Jesus, decorate a table near the St. Joseph's Altar in Immaculate Conception. Along with images of St. Joseph, the cakes also feature other symbolism tied to St. Joesph including lilies.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Rosie Moak (left), Henry Pulizzano and Mary Guzzardo are the three remaining members of the original team that started the St. Joseph's Altar at Immaculate Conception 23 years ago. Moak and Pulizzano serve as co-chairs of the St. Joseph Altar.
Morgan Prewitt | The News
Desserts, elaborate breads and fruits decorate the St. Joseph's Altar at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Saturday, March 16.
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