Melrose Park parish celebrates St. Joseph Table

The Holy Family and a donkey lead a procession around church following Mass as Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park celebrate the feast of St. Joseph on March 17, 2024, with Mass in Italian, a procession around the church and a traditional St. Joseph’s Table. Celebrations for the feast are popular in Italy and with Italian Americans. As part of the celebration, It is tradition to include youth portraying the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem with a donkey. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Elio Bartolotta does one of the readings during a stop in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

With the Holy Family leading the way, parishioners process to the hall for the huge Italian feast. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A young boy dressed in a vestment walks with older parishioners in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners make their way down 22nd Avenue to the St. Joseph’s Table. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A woman honors the image of St. Joseph before the event begins. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Italian bakers often sprinkle abundant amounts of sesame seeds — which resemble and symbolize teardrops — on the different types of St. Joseph’s Day Breads. Bread is often shaped into St. Joseph’s staff, but has many symbolic shapes like the Crown of Thorns bread pictured here. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Vito Giangrande and Dominic Gambino give the food on the altar one last check before the festivities begin. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Maria Gambino serves plates of fruit during the event. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Giovana LaSpesa uses two hands to serve up guests at the event. Many people wore red clothing, which is associated with the saint. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Italian bakers often sprinkle abundant amounts of sesame seeds — which resemble and symbolize teardrops — on the different types of St. Joseph’s Day Breads. Bread is often shaped into St. Joseph’s staff, but has many symbolic shapes like the Crown of Thorns bread pictured here. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Anna Demonte serves an olive salad to a diner. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Rosalia Giangrande shows sample fruit plates that will be full by the time she is finished collecting all the varieties. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)