Category: St. Joseph

Zeppole di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph’s Day Traditional Italian Pastries)

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, recipes, Saint Joseph's Zeppole, St. Joseph, Zeppole

From:

https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/italian-dishes/zeppole-baked-recipe-for-saint-josephs-day

Zeppole di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph’s Day Traditional Italian Pastries) – a delicious custard filled dessert, and it looks easy to make. At least I hope so, I will try to make this on the weekend.

March 19 is also celebrated in Italy as Father’s Day, and in our Catholic Calendar, it is a Feast Day for us as we celebrate Saint Joseph. Back in the early part of the 19th century, Pasquale Pintauro, a Neapolitan baker, is credited with creating Zeppole pastries.

They are custard-filled pastries topped with cherry. There are many recipes on how to make this, but I like this one which is baked and not fried.

Saint Joseph’s Zeppole

Ingredients:

For the zeppole
1 cup water
1 cup all-purpose or ‘00’ flour
¾ stick butter, cut into small pieces 
4 large eggs
1 pinch salt
1 tsp. sugar 

For the custard:
2¼ cup milk
1 cup sugar
6 large egg yolks
1 tsp. maizena (cornstarch)
1 vanilla bean

For the decoration
Amarena cherries or candied cherries
powdered sugar

Method:

Start by preparing the custard. Heat the milk in a saucepan with the vanilla bean opened halfway. 
Separately, beat the egg yolks with the sugar in a bowl and add the cornstarch. Remove the vanilla bean from the milk and slowly pour it over the egg mixture, stirring constantly until the custard is thickened. Let the custard cool in a bowl covered with plastic wrap.

Next, prepare the choux pastry dough. Place butter pieces in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, and pour in the water. Add the salt and 1 tsp. sugar and bring to a boil, stirring with a wooden spoon.

As soon as the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat and pour in the sifted flour in one go, stirring quickly with a whisk and then continuing with a wooden spoon. A ball will form. Keep stirring for around 10 minutes, until a white patina forms on the bottom of the pan.

Pour the mixture into a bowl and let it cool. Then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing the mixture well. When the dough is smooth and uniform, place it in a piping bag with a star-shaped nozzle and press it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Form circles around 3″ in diameter, overlapping the pastry twice. 

Preheat the ventilated oven to 375°F and bake the zeppole for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on the surface. Do the toothpick test: if it emerges from the dough dry, the pastries are ready. Transfer them out of the oven and let them cool.

Once cold, cut them in half, stuff them with cream in the middle and on top and garnish with sour or candied cherries.

God Bless and Happy Baking 💖

ST. JOSEPH’S SPAGHETTI: A MARCH 19TH TRADITION

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, Feast Day, recipes, St. Joseph

My friend Joanne read my blog reminder to pray the Saint Joseph Novena, and she texted me back with a traditional pasta dish her family makes to celebrate St. Joseph’s feast day. Joanne swears it’s delicious!

This is new for me (breadcrumbs and raisins in pasta), and I will definitely make it for my family.

Repost from: https://www.shelovesbiscotti.com/saint-josephs-day-spaghetti-recipe/

a close up of Saint Josephs Day Spaghetti.

St. Joseph’s Spaghetti, aka Spaghetti di San Giuseppe, is a pasta dish recipe traditionally served on March 19th and Christmas Eve. A plate of spaghetti which has been coated with a mixture of olive oil, toasted breadcrumbs, walnuts, garlic, golden raisins and parsley. 

A large serving bowl of Saint Josephs Day Spaghetti Recipe

ST. JOSEPH’S SPAGHETTI

Think about this for a minute: a plate of carbs (pasta), served with more carbs (toasted breadcrumbs). The breadcrumbs in this recipe are very symbolic – they are meant to represent sawdust (since Saint Joseph was a carpenter), and cheese (since this was a poor man’s dish).

This is a classic example of cucina povera -which literally means “cooking of the poor”.

WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE ST. JOSEPH’S SPAGHETTI?

  • Olive oil: Extra virgin if available.
  • Garlic: Feel free to use more than the stated amount.
  • Coarse breadcrumbs: Homemade if possible.
  • Walnuts: Chopped finely.
  • Parsley: Provides a wonderful contrast in color as well as a clean bright flavor.
  • Golden raisins: A wonderful burst of sweetness.
  • Spaghetti: The pasta of choice when making this dish. Look for spaghetti no 5.
  • Orange rind: Optional, but provides a citrus undertone.

Optional ingredient: Anchovies

As far as accessories are concerned, you will need a large pot to cook the pasta as well as a colander. Also required is a wooden board and a sharp knife to properly chop up the garlic, walnuts and parsley.  Finally a large skillet and a wooden spoon to stir fry a few of the ingredients.

HOW TO MAKE ST. JOSEPH’S SPAGHETTI:

In a large skillet, saute the garlic in the olive oil for a few minutes. If using anchovies, add a couple of them at this point.

Add the breadcrumbs and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and continue to saute. Add the walnuts, raisins and parsley and saute this mixture until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and toasty.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to your package label.

Add one cup of pasta water to the bread mixture if it appears dry.

Once the spaghetti is cooked, simply combine the two by layering in a large bowl.

This pasta dish can be served hot or at room temperature.

Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 903kcal

Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups unseasoned coarse breadcrumbs
  • 2 cups finely chopped walnuts about 200 grams
  • 4 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 3/4 cup of golden raisins plumped (about 100 grams)
  • 1 pound spaghetti 454 grams (1 package)
  • salt to taste
  • pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to taste
  • Orange peel optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, over medium heat, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Sauté the garlic until fragrant, 1-2 minutes (do not brown).
  • Reduce heat to medium low and add the breadcrumbs.
  • Add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil and combine. Stir together for about 2 minutes (breadcrumbs will get slightly toasted and should absorb the oil).
  • Add the chopped walnuts and stir fry for another 2 minutes.
  • Add raisins and parsley. Stir to combine for 1-2 minutes. Set aside. Add up to 1 cup of the cooking water (from the pasta) if the mixture appears to dry.OPTIONAL: Add orange peel and combine with the raisins and parley.
  • Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  • Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente.
  • Drain the pasta and reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water. Drizzle 2 more tablespoons of olive oil.
  • In a large serving dish, alternate layers of pasta and bread mixture (top with bread mixture). Note: Remove orange rind if used in the mixture.
  • Garnish with parsley and drizzle remaining olive oil.

God Bless and Happy Cooking 💖

The First Day of St. Joseph Novena

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, Novena, Saint Joseph Novena, St. Joseph

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request)

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.

St. Joseph Most Just, Pray for us!

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Consecration to St. Joseph

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Consecration to St. Joseph, Faith, Family, St. Joseph

Consecration to St. Joseph begins today to end on his feast day March 19th, 2022.

We need more than ever to ask St. Joseph to pray for us as the values of family, home, identity and God is slowly being eroded within our secular world.

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us .
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster-father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most valiant, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workmen, pray for us. 
Glory of domestic life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.

 

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

 

V. He made him the lord of His household,
R. And prince over all His possessions.

 

Let Us Pray.

O God, Who in Your ineffable providence were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most Holy Mother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, You Who live and reign forever and ever. 

R. Amen.

More Information:

https://rejoiceandpraise.ca/consecration-to-st-joseph/

https://josephcatholic.org/consecration-to-stjoseph

God Bless 💖

A Light In My Path

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, Family, God, inspiration, Jesus, Spirituality, St. Joseph

“Come to this light, the light of Christ…”

My soul rejoices and I am overwhelmed with a sense of inner peace reading todays Lectionary. The readings flow and enlightens my mind and soul. Especially beautiful today is the proclamation in the Old Testament of the the arrival of our blessed light coming into the world, and in the New Testament, it tells us of Joseph’s thoughts as well as how his trust in God, lead to his hand in helping usher the light into our broken world.

Jesus’ birth is the light entering a dark and tumultuous world under Roman oppression. Today, Jesus lights our path in an era of cancel culture, government restrictions, and medical tyranny. Christmas has been cancelled by political correctness, and replaced with commercialism and secularism – “Happy Holidays”.

Old Testament Jeremiah 23:5-8  

    Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
        when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
    As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
        he shall do what is just and right in the land.
    In his days Judah shall be saved,
        Israel shall dwell in security.
    This is the name they give him:
        “The LORD our justice.”

Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,
when they shall no longer say, “As the LORD lives,
who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt”;
but rather, “As the LORD lives,
who brought the descendants of the house of Israel
up from the land of the north”– 
and from all the lands to which I banished them;
they shall again live on their own land.

Gospel matthew 1:18-25 

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. 
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly. 
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. 
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her. 
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.” 
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

    Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
        and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.” 
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. 
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.

There is hope! No matter how dark it feel, the light of baby Jesus repairs our brokenness. It reunites us with God. Today’s reading touches a core within me especially as the Year of St. Joseph comes to an end. It gives me the hope that God has everything under control. Just as God used St. Joseph to protect Mary and baby Jesus, I know God is with us.

St. Joseph makes me think of God’s steadfast hand in our lives, and His loyalty knows no end. To those of us who put Him above all things, God is ever present. So regardless of the circumstances my family and I may face during this crazy time in our lives, God is with us.

Jesus is the light of my world. If I let it, it will shine in me and through me.

Let the light of Jesus shine in YOU! Let all OUR light, light a path in our darken world.

God Bless 💖