About this episode
This episode explores the St. Joseph's Day traditions in New Orleans, featuring interviews with key figures who keep the celebrations alive.
March 19th might be just another day in other parts of the United States, but here in New Orleans, it's a day when revelers take to the streets in honor of the Feast of St. Joseph. The tradition of food altars dedicated to Jesus' foster father came to the Crescent City in the late 1800s with immigrants from Sicily, where Joseph is the patron saint. What was called Mi-Carême (or Mid-Lent by the Creoles) was a day when fasting was suspended and festivities abounded. On this week's show, we explore the holiday and join in on the celebration. Tony Marino's family were faithful followers of St. Joseph, and today, he keeps the tradition alive at his Bourbon Street home in New Orleans' French Quarter. We sit down with Tony to hear what it takes to pull off his annual street party, complete with altars and a life-sized statue of St. Joseph. Then, Arthur Brocato, third generation of Angelo Brocato's Ice Cream and Confectionary, joins us to share his family's history and explain the special role Brocato's has played in the St. Joseph's Day celebration. Founded in the French Quarter in 1905, the gelateria and pasticceria continues those traditions today on Carrollton Avenue in Mid-City…
People in this episode
Guests: Arthur Brocato, Laura Guccione, Tony Marino
Topics covered
- St. Joseph's Day
- New Orleans traditions
- food altars
- Sicilian immigrants
- Mardi Gras Indians
Keywords
- Feast of St. Joseph
- Mid-Lent
- street party
- gelateria
- pasticceria
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Angelo Brocato's Ice Cream and Confectionary
Places: the United States, New Orleans, the Crescent City, Sicily, New Orleans', French Quarter, the French Quarter, Mid
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