DOWNEY - St. Raymond Catholic Church's Italian Catholic Federation will sponsor its 29th annual St. Joseph's Table this Sunday in the Msgr. Bob Gipson Hall.The celebration starts at 9 a.m. with a viewing of the table, followed by a liturgy celebration and procession at 11 a.m., the blessing of the table at noon, and pasta dinner from 12:30 to 5 p.m. For more information, call Charlene Drobeck at (562) 928-1937. St. Joseph's Table is a tradition started many centuries ago by Italian Catholics to publicly celebrate Saint Joseph, their greatest saint and husband of the Virgin Mary. On the eve of his feast day, March 19, bonfires would illuminate the squares and streets throughout Italy. The following day, after the midday mass, a man, woman and child, representing the holy family, would head a bell ringing procession. They would approach a house requesting lodging only to be turned away. They go to a second house and are again turned away. Finally, at the third house, they are welcomed and honored, and the "banchetto" or celebration begins.

********** Published: March 15, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 48