St. Joseph’s Day in the French Quarter
St. Joseph looks down at the French Quarter street celebration held in his honor on March 19.
March 2025Every March 19th, the neighborhood once called “Little Palermo” celebrates the saint – who legend says ended a terrible famine – by creating elaborate altars, then sharing food, blessings and goodwill.
photos by Ellis Anderson
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The day starts with a short service inside St. Mary’s Church on Chartres in the French Quarter, part of the Ursulines Convent museum - and just across from the Historic BK House and Gardens.
Afterward, Father Damian crosses the street to BK House is a small procession and blesses the table and those present.
Take home “goodie” bags for altar visitors.
In the parlor across the hall from the altar, a display of costumes by Mardi Gras Black Masking Indians is on display. These are by Big Qeen Lo of the Giimoozaabi Black Hunters. St. Joseph’s Day is one of the times when the suits are worn on the streets.
Beadwork on the costumes
Meanwhile, preparations have been underway for a week at a lower Bourbon Street residence, where a decades-old street celebration takes place.
An enormous altar is set up in front of the house, as well as a massive food line that will feed celebrants after a musical performance and blessing by a priest.
There’s an equally laden altar inside the house.
Performers serenade the crowd from the balcony
After a house fire in 2010, the home’s owner, Tony Marino, moved the altar and the celebration to the street, starting a neighborhood tradition.
We ended the day at the magical altar at Irene’s restaurant on Bienville Street.
Traditional Italian cookies at Irene’s altar
Father Damian also ended a day of dispensing blessings and Holy Water at altar at Irene’s.
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