The tradition of St. Joseph’s altars return to churches, schools and homes across the New Orleans area this March, offering visitors a chance to experience one of the region’s most beloved Sicilian-American customs.
Observed on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, the altars are elaborate displays of food, baked goods and religious symbolism created as acts of gratitude for answered prayers. The tradition originated in Sicily during a devastating drought, when villagers prayed to St. Joseph for relief. After rains arrived and crops returned, the people built a table of their harvest in thanksgiving and shared the food with those in need.
That spirit of charity continues today in South Louisiana, where many altars serve free meals and distribute food to the community.
Traditional St. Joseph’s Altars are often constructed in three tiers representing the Holy Trinity, with a statue of St. Joseph—frequently depicted holding the infant Jesus—at the top. The displays are filled with symbolic foods and decorations. Breads are baked into shapes representing carpenter tools such as ladders, hammers and saws in honor of Joseph’s trade. Hard-boiled eggs embedded in bread symbolize rebirth and the coming of spring, while breadcrumbs represent sawdust.
Other common elements include palm branches, wheat, crosses, crowns of thorns and images of the Sacred Heart. A whole fish recalls the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, while wine references the wedding feast at Cana. The fava bean, known as the “lucky bean,” commemorates the only crop said to have survived the Sicilian drought. Because the feast falls during Lent, the altars traditionally contain no meat.
Visitors are typically invited to place written petitions at the altar, light candles or take part in the ceremonial Tupa Tupa, a symbolic meal shared with the community.
Below is a selection of 2026 St. Joseph’s Altars open to the public across the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
2026 St. Joseph’s Altars in the New Orleans Metro Area
Orleans Parish
Altars will also be open to the public at churches and schools throughout New Orleans, including All Saints Church, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Brother Martin High School, Cabrini High School, Immaculate Conception Church, Loyola University New Orleans, Mount Carmel Academy, St. Alphonsus, St. Augustine, St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph Church, and St. Rita.
Most altars will be open March 18–19, with blessings, meals and devotional events scheduled throughout the day.
Jefferson Parish
Archbishop Chapelle High School
8800 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie
Public viewing: March 18 noon–8 p.m.; March 19 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Candles ($5) can be placed on the altar or Rosary table.
More info: https://www.archbishopchapelle.org/st-josephs-altar
Divine Mercy Parish
4337 Sal Lentini Parkway, Kenner
Public viewing: March 19, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Blessing: 9 a.m. Mass; Tupa Tupa after Mass.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
1908 Short St., Kenner
Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; March 21, 3–6 p.m.; March 22, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Blessing: March 19, 10 a.m.
Lunch served March 19, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
St. Agnes Parish
3310 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson
Public viewing: March 18, 6–8 p.m.; March 19, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; also during all Masses March 20–22
Blessing: March 18 at 6 p.m.
St. Angela Merici
901 Beverly Garden Drive, Metairie
Public viewing: March 18, 6–8 p.m.; March 19, 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Blessing: March 19, 10:30 a.m.
Free meals served 11 a.m.–7 p.m. or until gone.
St. Ann Church and Shrine
4920 Loveland St., Metairie
Public viewing: March 18–19, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Blessing: After 8:45 a.m. Mass on March 18.
St. Benilde Church and School
1901 Division St., Metairie
Public viewing: March 19, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Blessing: March 19, 8:15 a.m.
St. Clement of Rome
4317 Richland Ave., Metairie
Public viewing: March 18, noon–8 p.m.; March 19, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Blessing: March 18, noon.
St. Cletus
3600 Claire Ave., Gretna
Public viewing: March 19, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Blessing: March 18, 6 p.m.
St. Francis Xavier – St. Joseph Altar Society
215 Betz Place, Metairie
Public viewing: March 18–19, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Meal served March 19, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
St. Joachim
5505 Barataria Blvd., Marrero
Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
St. John Paul II
6851 River Road, Waggaman
Public viewing: March 19, noon–6 p.m.
Tupa Tupa at 11 a.m.
St. Joseph Church & Shrine
7th and Newton Sts., Gretna
Public viewing: March 18, 5–7 p.m.; March 19, noon–4 p.m.
Blessing and Tupa Tupa follow the 10 a.m. Mass on March 19.
St. Joseph the Worker
455 Ames Blvd., Marrero
Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Blessing: 9:45 a.m.
St. Philip Neri
6500 Kawanee Ave., Metairie
Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Italian meal served 5–7 p.m.
Mary Spano and Friends
1721 Robin St., Marrero
March 19, noon–6 p.m.
25th annual altar benefiting a local family.
Northshore
Several Northshore parishes will also host altars, including Holy Family in Franklinton, Mary Queen of Peace in Mandeville, Most Holy Trinity in Covington, Our Lady of the Lake in Mandeville, Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell, St. Jane de Chantal in Abita Springs, St. John the Baptist in Folsom, Saint Luke the Evangelist in Slidell and St. Peter in Covington.
Many of these locations will host traditional St. Joseph meals, Tupa Tupa ceremonies and altar cookie distributions.
Visitors are encouraged to attend, view the altars, make a petition, light a candle and share in the traditional foods. While admission is typically free, donations are often accepted to support parish ministries and local charities.
