I thought about going over to St. Hyacinth on Saturday. They had chicken soup and kluski on the menu. Unfortunately got tied up with other things. Maybe next year!

There are a couple of references in this thread to churches serving chicken as part of the St Joseph's Day feast. Thast sounds unusual to me, as I associate the holiday with meat-free Lenten bounty of seafood, pasta and fried-stuff.

Anyway, my make-shift homemade St Joseph's Day feast had whole smelt that I beer-battered and fried, a hearty pasta-bean soup, papardelle with oil poached tuna and breadcrumbs, and zeppole.

I don't know what is OK for Poles to eat on St. Joseph's day. During fast days you are allowed to eat meat flavored broth though. That may be why they serve chicken soup. Just a guess.

Kennyz wrote:There are a couple of references in this thread to churches serving chicken as part of the St Joseph's Day feast. Thast sounds unusual to me, as I associate the holiday with meat-free Lenten bounty of seafood, pasta and fried-stuff.

Since Vatican II in the 1960s, Roman Catholics have been permitted to eat meat during Lent except on Ash Wednesday and Fridays.

LAZ wrote:

Kennyz wrote:There are a couple of references in this thread to churches serving chicken as part of the St Joseph's Day feast. Thast sounds unusual to me, as I associate the holiday with meat-free Lenten bounty of seafood, pasta and fried-stuff.

Since Vatican II in the 1960s, Roman Catholics have been permitted to eat meat during Lent except on Ash Wednesday and Fridays.

Sure, I was talking about holiday tradition rather papal rule.

Kennyz wrote:Sure, I was talking about holiday tradition rather papal rule.

Most of the tables that listed a menu included poultry or meat dishes, so that tradition appears to have gone away with the rule. Or even sooner.

teatpuller wrote:Since St. Joseph’s Day holds the rank of solemnity and the character of a solemnity is one of rejoicing, penitential practices such as abstinence from meat are not required.

LAZ wrote:

Kennyz wrote:Sure, I was talking about holiday tradition rather papal rule.

Most of the tables that listed a menu included poultry or meat dishes, so that tradition appears to have gone away with the rule. Or even sooner.

Perhaps so among places that put St Joseph's Day menus on websites, but definitely not among the tradition-minded Sicilian-American families I know, none of whom would dream of serving meat as part of the celebration. Again, this has nothing to do with rules or prohibitions or penitential practices - it's just about honoring the tradition. To these people serving meat on St. Joseph's day would be like putting ketchup on a Chicago dog or replacing the Thanksgiving Turkey with a beef brisket.

Being Sicilian I gotta go w/ Kenny on this one - to me St. Joseph's, like Chrisman eve, is all about seafood.

St. Philip the Apostle in Addison Illinois has had a meatless St. Joseph Day table that was great. When I find out about next years date I will post it. This year they had pasta with marinara, pasta with clam sauce, eggplant parmesan, fruit salad, lettuce salads, poached salmon, baked cod, pasta with vodka sauce, baked clams, deep fried smelts, roasted rosemary potatoes, tons of great desserts, coffee juice, wonderful wines.........and a donation at the door!

I am sorry if there is a timeline on this but time is short! Are there any around the city, maybe the Loop?

I just found out about this tradition.

Thanks