The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ST. JOSEPH'S DAY--THE MIRACLE SAINT FOR ALL THINGS

A PROMISE BY THE WEALTHIER CLASS OF PEOPLE TO DONATE THEIR TIME AND
EFFORT TO ORGANIZE THEMSELVES INTO A BAND OF GOOD DOERS FOR THE
POOR. A COLLECTION WAS MADE FROM THE RICH AND POOR ALIKE IN TERMS
OF A HANDFUL OF BEANS FROM EACH FAMILY AND MADE INTO A MEAL FROM
ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BEANS COLLECTED. THE HUGE VARIETY OF
BEANS WERE COOKED TOGETHER AND SERVED JUST AS IF IT WERE SAUCE WITH
SPAGHETTI. THE WEALTHIER PEOPLE ALSO COOKED SMALL LOAVES OF
BREAD AND DONATED THIS AS WELL AS ALL THE FRESH FRUITS WHICH WERE
SEASONAL AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME. LEMONS, ORANGES, PEARS, APPLES,
FIGS AND EVERYTHING IMMAGINABLE WERE PLACED IN A HUGE BOWL IN THE
CENTER OF THE TABLE AND THE POOR WERE ALL INVITED TO HAVE THEIR
DINNER WITH THEIR BENEFACTORS ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY. IT WAS A WAY
FOR THE HIGHER CLASS TO SHOW THEIR GRATITUDE FOR THEIR OWN FORTUNES
AND TO SHARE WITH THE LESS FORTUNATE. CELEBRATED ON MARCH 19TH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Date learned: 10-31-1971