On March 19th Joseph's Delicatessen, located at 516 Warren Avenue in Spring Lake, New Jersey, held its annual Saint Joseph's Table Blessing. Monsignor Ed Arnister from The Church of Saint Rose - Belmar New Jersey, arrived mid morning to find the historic Italian delicatessen packed with community members viewing the table.

The Monsignor conducted an official prayer, blessing the table and honoring Saint Joseph, the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers, and working people, among others. This event at Joseph's Delicatessen has been held for decades.

Owners Joseph and Joyce Valentino take tremendous pride each year spending hours preparing the table with many traditional Italian foods and desserts honoring Saint Joseph, such as zeppole, fava beans, Sfinge, and pasta con le sarde. When asked about the event Joseph Valentino stated, it gives my wife and I great pride to pay tribute to our faith and our Italian (Sicilian) heritage each year.

These traditions are a result of our Catholic upbringing and our love for all things Italian. Some members from the Amerigo Vespucci Society, based in nearby Long Branch NJ also attended the event. The society President, Mr. Joseph Mossa, stated, "It is so wonderful that we still have family owned Italian specialty shops such as Joseph's Delicatessen. You don't see these types of local events too often. This is truly special."