St. Joseph’s Altars 2023: See beautiful displays at churches, community groups continuing the tradition

NEW ORLEANS (NOLA WEEKEND) - Many churches, schools and other entities will unveil elaborate altars as part of the deep-rooted New Orleans tradition to mark St. Joseph’s Day.

The tradition, with Roman Catholic and Sicilian origins, honors the feast of St. Joseph, which is celebrated on March 19. However, this year, because March 19 falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent this year, the Solemnity of St. Joseph is transferred to Monday, March 20, the Archdiocese of New Orleans says.

Traditional St. Joseph altars are constructed in the shape of a cross, with three levels honoring the Holy Trinity. Many altars traditionally include items like Italian bread, fava beans, fruit and Italian cookies.

According to a list from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, more than 30 St. Joseph altars will host public viewings at church parishes, schools and community groups around the greater New Orleans area. Contact the listed organizations for more information about their altar.

Contact us if your parish or organization would like to add your altar to our list. Check back for updates as we get them.

See below for the listing of St. Joseph’s Altars in the Archdiocese of New Orleans:

All Saints Catholic Church, March 18th and 19th, 2023.Before and after All Masses. St. Joseph Candles will be available for donations. free St. Joseph Lucky beans, Free St. Joseph Prayer cards.Cookies..etc. All donations will cover expenses of altar and support the parishioners and friends of All saints our parishioners in need. 1441 Teche St. New Orleans.

Archbishop Chapelle High School, Friday, March 17, altar blessing at 12 pm followed by viewing until 8 pm with the Rosary at 7 pm; March 18, viewing from 9 am to 4 pm with Tupa Tupa at 12 pm followed by lunch.. Rosary and Altar candles are available. Visit ArchbishopChapelle.org for more information.. Archbishop Chapelle Gymnasium, 8800 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie. For more information 504.467.3105.

Ascension of Our Lord Church, March 18 and 19, 2023; before and after all Masses. St. Joseph candles, St. Joseph Lucky beans, and St. Joseph prayer cards will be available. Cookies will be available for sale. The altar will be located in the Piovan Parish Hall which is accessible from the Church parking lot, 1900 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, LA. For more information call the parish office at 985-652-2615.

Brother Martin High School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, Location: James B. Branton Chapel on the campus of Brother Martin High School (Enter Chapel on Lombard St.);Saturday, March 18, 2023,Blessing of the Altar 3 pm. The altar is open to the public 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. following the Blessing. Blessed bags will be available as well as candles with a donation. For further information, please visit www.brothermartin.com or call 504-283-1561.

Divine Mercy Parish & St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, Parish Narthex in the main church building. Items will be available for purchase during the hours the altar is open. Parish Narthex, located in the main church building. 4337 Sal Lentini Parkway, Kenner, LA 70065 at (504) 466-5016. For more information contact: Dylan Mitchell at dmitchell@divinemercyparish.org.

Immaculate Conception, New Orleans, Fri. March 17 8am-4pm, Sat. March 18 8am-3pm, Sun March 19 8am-5pmMon March 20 8am-4pm in the church at 132 Baronne Street, New Orleans.

Loyola University New Orleans, Monday, March 20th, 11 am - 4 pm, Blessing at 12noon. Loyola University New Orleans Danna Student Center (by Starbucks)

Mary Queen of Peace, Friday, March 17, 5 to 7:30 p.m. The altar will be open for viewing during the Friday Fish Fry in the cafeteria. 1501 West Causeway Approach Mandeville, LA School Cafeteria. For more information contact: Gayle Camus, 985-626-6977.

Metairie Manor, March 16 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Blessing at 9:30), March 17 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Donations will be accepted for cookie.. Metairie Manor Dining Hall 4929 York Street Metairie, LA 70001. For more information contact: Zina Smith and Frances Munaco; (504) 456-1467.

New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries, Saturday, March 18th 10-2. All are welcome to join us at our second annual St. Joseph’s Day Altar. Blessing will occur at 10 am. Public viewing from 10 to 2. All are encouraged to bring memorial photographs of their deceased loved-ones to place on the altar. The altar will be located in the St. Joseph Cemetery Memorial Chapel within St. Joseph Cemetery No. 1.. St. Joseph Memorial Chapel St. Joseph Cemetery No. 1 2220 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA. For more information visit: https://nolacatholiccemeteries.org.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church & School, Monday, March 20th Blessing immediately following 8am Mass; altar at OLPS School. Meals will be served from 11am until food runs out. OLPS School 531 Avenue A Westwego, LA 70094. For more information contact: OLPS Church Office 504-341-9522.

Our Lady of the Angels Church, March 19 AT 12:00 PM. Tupa, Tupa will take place after the 10:30 Mass. Meals will be available from 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm. Cookies will be on sale. Our Lady of the Angels Parish Hall behind the church, 6851 RIVER RD., WAGGAMAN, 70094. For more information call (504) 722-9943.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Saturday, March 18- 10 am Blessing of the Altar followed by Tupa Tupa. Open for visitation until 3 pm Sunday, March 19th - Altar may be viewed in between Masses & until 4 pm. Cookies will be for sale. Memorial candles, blessed candles & oil, & holy water available for a donation.Donations cover expenses of altar and support the work of the Friends of St. Joseph, apostolate to those in need in our local community.

Our Lady of the Lake, March 18 - viewing from 1 pm to 5:30 pm; March 19 - blessings and Tupa Tupa at 9 am, feeding of the faithful to follow until the food runs out. Donations to assist the poor may be sent to the parish office. 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, The St. Joseph’s Altar will be open for public viewing on Friday, March 17, 5:00-8:00pm, Saturday, March 18, 11:00am-7:00pm with Feast at 2:00pm, and Sunday, March 19, 10:00am-5:00pm. In Vincent Hall, 1324 Moss Street, New Orleans.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Saturday March 18,2023 9:00am Blessing of the Altar and viewing , Sunday March 19, 2023 after the 10:00am Mass till 12:00pm. Meatless Pasta on that Sunday after mass March 19,2023. 1835 St. Roch Avenue 70117 In Church. For more information contact: Carol Ali Jenkins 504-944-0166.

St. Alphonsus / St. Mary’s Assumption, Saturday, March 17th 3:00 to 4:PM and 5:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday, March 18th 9:30 to 10:30 and 11:30 to 12:00 NOON. St. Joseph Vigil candles cookies. St. Joseph Alter in St. Mary’s Assumption Church 2030 Constance Street New Orleans, LA 70130. For more information contact: Terry Loetzerich 504-908-3800.

St. Angela Merici Parish, DATE(S); Friday, March 17, 2023 and Saturday, March 18, 2023 TIME(S): Friday from 6-8 pm, with candlelight rosary at 7 pm; Saturday from 10 am - 7:30 pm BLESSING (DAY/TIME): Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:30 am TUPA TUPA (DAY/TIME): Saturday, March 18, 20. DATE(S); Friday, March 17, 2023 and Saturday, March 18, 2023 TIME(S): Friday from 6-8 pm, with candlelight rosary at 7 pm; Saturday from 10 am - 7:30 pm BLESSING (DAY/TIME): Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:30 am TUPA TUPA (DAY/TIME): Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:30 am MEALS (DAY/TIME): Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 11 am - 7 pm. Corner of Pomona Street and Beverly Garden Drive, Metairie in The Kern Center/Gym. For more information contact: St. Angela Merici Parish Office, 504-835-0324.

St. Ann Church & Shrine, Friday, 3/17/23 | 3:00 - 7:00 PM Saturday, 3/18/23 | Noon - 6:00 PM Sunday, 3/19/23 | 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM. St. Joseph Lunch in the Cafeteria following the 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday.. The altar is located in the parish ministry center directly behind the church at 4921 Loveland Street.. For more information contact: Kay Boutte 504-455-7071 kay@stannchurchandshrine.org.

St. Anthony of Padua, Luling, March 18, 2023 5pm blessing of the Altar open 5-8 March 19 6am-6pm March 20 6am- 3pm. March 18, 2023 5pm blessing of the Altar, meal served 5-7 March 19 meal served noon-7pm. St. Anthony of Padua 234 Angus Dr. Luling, LA 70070. For more information contact: St. Anthony Church 985-785-8885.

St. Benilde Church, open to the public on Sunday, March 19 following the morning Sunday Masses (9 and 11 a.m.) and will remain open until 5:45 p.m. Donations will be accepted and small items will be available for purchase. The altar is located inside St. Benilde Church: 1901 Division Street, Metairie, LA 70001. For more information contact: Parish Office at 504-834-4980.

St. Catherine of Siena’s Rosary Altar Society, Sunday, March 19 from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. A Spaghetti Meal will be served March 19 from 11:30am - 1:30pm in the school Cafeteria Cookies and items for sale. St. Catherine of Siena, Melancon Center (1643 Metairie Rd). For more information contact: Parish Office 504-835-9343.

St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Sat March 18 9am-6pm, Sun March 19 8:30am-2pm. Cookies bread and other items available for donation. The altar will be in the Borromeo Room on campus at 13396 River Road, Destrehan. Please follow the signs on campus for directions.

St. Cletus Catholic Church, March 17 - 6:30 Rosary, blessing, and viewing after - closing at 8PM March 18 - Opens at 11:00 AM Closes at 8:00 PM. Cookies are available for a donation. Food will be served from 11 AM until food runs out. 3600 Claire Avenue Gretna, LA 70053. For more information contact: Bill Landry (504) 909-1685.

St. Dominic, Saturday, March 18, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 19, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Solemn Mass honoring St. Joseph at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 20. Located in the churc at 775 Harrison Avenue New Orleans.

St. Francis Xavier, Metairie, Preview of Altar 9am-4pm on Sunday, March 19. On Monday, March 20, the viewing of the Altar is from 9am-4pm with Mass at 8am honoring St. Joseph followed by the Tupa-Tupa. The Public Meal will be from 11am-2pm in the cafeteria, and Archbishop Aymond will visit at 1:15 pm.The altar is located in the school auditorium, enter from ither Betz Place or through the parking lot on Metairie Rd.

St. James Major, Friday, March 17th immediately following 8:30am Mass & AMStation on the Cross (approximately 10am) No Meals. St. James Major Church, 3736 Gentilly Blvd.,New Orleans.

St. Jane de Chantal, March 20, 2023 Noon - 4:30 pm, Viewing and meals served to the public at noon until food runs out. St. Jane Hall 72040 Maple Street Abita Springs.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Folsom. The St. Joseph Altar will be available for visiting from 4:00-5:30 pm on Saturday, March 18 and from 8:00 am-4:00 pm Sunday, March 19. In Jonathan Hall at 11345 St. John Church Road, Folsom.

St. Joseph Church & Shrine, Sunday, March 19, 2023 - 5:00-7:00pm; Rosary & Prayer Service Monday, March 20, 2023 Noon - 4:00pm. Mass at 10:00am; food served Noon-4:00pm or until all food is gone; cookies included with meal. St. Joseph Gymnasium, corner of 7th & Newton Sts., Gretna. For more information contact: Debbie Swiler (504)722-5958.

St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, Sunday, March 19th after 9:00 a.m. Mass - 1 p.m.; Blessing at 10 a.m.. Holy cards, medals, lucky beans, blessed bread. 10021 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge, LA. For more information contact: Kim Roberts 504-236-0776.

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