The Autumn after I turned eighteen, I moved to Rhode Island for about a year and a half to assist my older sister.  I was a normal teenager; good times abound, my inquisitive mind challenged the lines of morality, and though I didn’t have anything against God, I never really thought about Him too often.

My sister raised her children in the Catholic Church. They attended Mass every Sunday and my niece and nephew were enrolled in religious education.  As a new member of their family, I soon became reacquainted with some of the forgotten religious traditions of my own childhood.  One of the more memorable was the celebration of the feast of Saint Joseph, which is celebrated on March 19th. Back then, most of Rhode Island was made up of predominately Italian and Portuguese ethnic groups and between the two, the festivities that took place around this Holy day were amazing.

I had no real clue why St. Joseph was so revered, other than the fact he was the spouse of the Blessed Mother.  All I knew was that my sister couldn’t wait to take me to Zaccagnini’s Bakery on Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston to try the traditional feast day delight… Zeppoles.  These tender little Italian pastries had a light and airy shell.  They were cut in half and filled with sweet custard and dusted with confectioner’s sugar; only to be found in local bakeries on this one day of the year.  I remember thinking my sister was nuts, hyping me up for weeks about a cream puff.

The anticipated day arrived.  That morning after my niece and nephew headed off to school, my sister and I made straight our path to Zaccagnini’s. All it took was one bite of these delectable treats to get me hooked.  The Heavenly experience sent my taste buds soaring!  My life has not been the same since.  Each year I look forward to indulging in this little pleasure.

Over time I have come to look at St. Joseph’s day in a different light.  How befitting of us to celebrate this remarkable man. After all, he was chosen by God to be the earthly father of the Savior of the world.  I often contemplate how hard it must have been for Joseph to say “yes” to this responsibility.  I don’t know many engaged men who would follow through with marriage upon discovering his sweetheart was impregnated by someone else, let alone a spirit.  In his humanness he must have really been put on the spot after hearing Mary’s shocking news. 

Then, later, to be visited by an angel (yes a real live angel who told him not to be afraid because the child was sent by God) must have really confused the poor man.  I can picture Joseph pacing his floor, wringing his hands, and asking himself over and over, “What just happened?”  In less than twenty-four hours his whole life (the one he so meticulously planned out) was completely changed.  I am sure his first thought was, “I am not worthy of this monumental task, it is too big.” His second thought may have been, “What about my plans?”

I’ve often responded that way when God asks something of me, “Lord, I am not worthy of what you are asking. I can’t do it. I don’t want to change my plans.”  We Catholics look to St. Joseph as a role model.  We can identify with his humanness and yet we see how generously he trusted.  He abandoned every bit of logic and intellect, and put Mary’s and his life into God’s hands.  It’s hard to imagine what would have happened if Joseph ran scared and said, “No Lord, pick someone else.”

God loves each of us with the same intensity he loved Joseph.  And he has a plan for us as well. It may even be to change events in our lifetime, which is why we need to imitate Joseph’s yes and act with courage, even when we think God is asking the most bizarre tasks of us.  He will never abandon us and is our constant strength when we get weary.  As he did for Joseph and Mary, he will provide all our necessities; even when things look bleak.

For those of you who live in Rhode Island and are able to stop by Zaccagnini’s, have a Zeppole for me.