Campus Ministry Hosts St. Joseph Altar Blessing, Food Drive

St. Joseph Altar food drive

Campus Ministry will collect donations at a St. Joseph Altar from Monday, March 12, through Thursday, March 15, in Room 207, Anderson Student Center.

Requested are nonperishable food items, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and monetary donations to support Second Hand Harvest. (Checks may be made payable to University of St. Thomas.)

Blessing

A St. Joseph Altar Blessing will be conducted at noon Wednesday, March 14, in Room 207, Anderson Student Center.

Members of the St. Thomas community are invited to add their petitions and thanksgiving to the blessing of the donations at a prayer service in the Sicilian tradition.

Lunch will be provided after the service. All are welcome.

The tradition of a St. Joseph Altar arose from Sicily, where people prayed to St. Joseph for his intercession in relief from a famine. In thanksgiving for their answered prayers, they prepared a table with harvested food. The food was then distributed to the poor. The tradition continues to this day in celebration of St. Joseph’s feast day, which is March 19.