Festa di San Giuseppe

You know I get overwhelmed when there are too many holidays and fun events going on at once.

Remember?

Well, it has happened again and I am just bubbling over with things to talk about. I know, I’ve promised to let you in on more details of our Sicily trip. So, for that, I will pass you on to Michelle, who is a few stops ahead of me on the Giro di Sicilia.

Because, my friends. Today is officially

San Giuseppe Day

Italy has hundreds of saint days throughout the year, with many saints celebrating on the same date. If you are named for a saint, as many Italians are, you celebrate your onomastico on that day. For all of us non-sainted named folks (as of last check, there are still no Saint Cherryes), we celebrate on November 1, or, All Saint’s Day.

San Giuseppe, aka Saint Joseph, celebrates his day on March 19. Not only do all Italians named Giuseppe, Peppe, Peppino, Giuseppina, Giusy, so on and so forth, celebrate their day today, but today is the Italian Father’s Day celebration. It’s only fitting you know, since Saint Joseph was Jesus’s loyal stepfather.

Here, you see my “Giuseppe” with his father during a church service.

There was a small upheaval in our house when the Vatican opted to reschedule La Festa di San Guiseppe to Saturday, March 15, as to not interfere with Holy Week celebrations.

If it had been “my day,” I would have celebrated on both days, but, Peppe refused, stuck to his guns, and declared that March 19 was his day.

So, for Peppe, Peppino, my cousin Joe, and all fathers out there – in Italy and beyond…

Auguri and Buona Festa di San Giuseppe!

 Be sure not to miss out on your day! Click here to find your onomastico!