Louisiana St. Joseph Altar

CNS photo/Frank J. Methe, Clarion Herald

+ Enlarge

A St. Joseph altar is seen at St. Francis Xavier Church in Metairie, La. The tradition of the altar includes a table with three levels, symbolic of the Trinity, decorated with Easter lilies and covered with breads, oranges, lemons, artichokes, pastas and desserts. Breads are often baked in forms of crosses and pasta is served with bread crumbs, symbolic of wood dust for the carpenter, St. Joseph, whose feast day was March 19.