Padraig and Giuseppe
When I was growing up in New York, March always meant the feast days of St. Patrick and St. Joseph. Many of the students in my parochial school were of Irish descent; in fact, one of my best friends had parents who were born in Ireland and had beautiful brogues. There were kids of Italian descent in our school, too, which made for some interesting school days.
March 17 was a big day for the Irish as everyone celebrated St. Paddy’s Day. The magnificent parade on Fifth Avenue and green coffee at the Irish deli across the street from our apartment building were sure signs that we could all be Irish for a day. When I was in sixth grade, our teacher, an imposing Dominican named Sister Joanne, took us on the subway to see the parade. We sat in the bleachers on a frozen New York mid-winter’s day watching the Fenians and the firemen march by.
Many of the other kids in class were of Italian descent and St. Joseph’s Day on March 19 was another big day. That was the day when we could all be Italian for a day and enjoy the San Giuseppe festivities in the city.
For two days out of the year, we New York kids could enjoy two beautiful cultures that are two of the strongest bases of Catholicism in America. Food, music and parties have no nationality, of course, so we could all enjoy soda bread and meatballs on either day without thinking much about where they came from.
Jigs, reels and tarantelle sound just as musical, regardless of who’s playing them. I was born in Cuba and spent my first nine years in Havana, but I love Celtic music nonetheless. I can enjoy Celia Cruz and the Clancy Brothers with as much joy.
The unique timing of Holy Week this year has moved the grand feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph to the week before their actual calendar days. The corned beef and cabbage are cold now, as are the spaghetti and meatballs, because it’s time to remember the Lord’s Passion. Here’s to 2009 and the chance to pay tribute to two great saints who always mean great food and great fun!
