The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH

EVERY MARCH 19TH, IT IS COMMON AMONG MANY SICILIANS TO CELEBRATE
THE FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH. IT IS TRADITIONALLY REPRESENTED BY
THE PREPARATION OF HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI WHICH CONTAINS TWELVE
DIFFERENT KINDS OF BEANS AND PEAS TO REPRESENT EACH OF THE
TWELVE APOSTLES. THESE INCLUDE: SPLIT PEAS, KIDNEY BEANS,
CHICK PEAS, HORSE BEANS, LINTO BEANS, LIMA BEANS, BLACKEYE
PEAS, GREEN BEANS, CRANBERRY BEANS, SWEET PEAS, PINTO BEANS,
AND NORTHERN BEANS.

Submitter comment: DURING THE FEAST MANY SICILIAN FAMILIES CELEBRATE THE OCCASION
BY RECREATING THE LIFE OF JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS

Date learned: CA00001920