<p><strong>By Peter Edwards &amp; Henry Huot Dignity/Washington</strong></p> <p>The origin of Saint Joseph&rsquo;s Day as an Italian festival is simple yet a testimony to an ancient and abiding devotion. According to legend there was a severe drought in Sicily around 1268 and the people prayed to St. Joseph their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that they would prepare a large banquet to honor him if he answered their prayers. The rain did come and the Sicilians made good on their promise continuing the festival ever since. The fava bean was the crop that saved the population from starvation and is a traditional part of St. Joseph&#39;s Day altars and traditions. Giving food to the needy is also a St. Joseph&#39;s Day custom.</p> <p>Again this year Dignity/Washington held its observance of St. Joseph&rsquo;s Day with a grand Italian banquet held on Saturday March 9 at the All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church Hall in Northwest DC for a crowd of nearly 85 guests who paid $30 for a ticket. Net proceeds were $1500 from ticket sales and a 50/50 raffle including $410 from a newly-featured live and silent auction.</p> <p>The altar tradition plays a major role in the veneration of St. Joseph and is the focus of the novena (nine days of prayer) before the actual feast day. Dignity/Washington&rsquo;s altar was decorated with statues and icons candles religious medals rosaries prayer cards fava beans and loaves of bread. A religious ceremony was again part of the evening led by Father Mickey Martinez with a procession of national flags icons and of course the statue of St. Joseph with congregational hymns a Gospel reading from the life of St. Joseph and a blessing of the meal. Helping to set the mood was a montage of film clips with music backdrop entitled The Kiss (more or less) arranged and presented by member Tom Yates highlighting famous kiss scenes from gay and lesbian themed movies.</p> <p>Everyone was delighted by a wonderful array of entr&eacute;es and sides which included garlic-crusted pork loin puttanesca with chick sausages vegetarian lasagna and a vegetable medley (asparagus zucchini yellow squash diced red onions) saut&eacute;ed in olive oil and garlic all prepared from scratch by the volunteer cooks headed by member Len Latham. Patrons were left to choose from the special dessert buffet of traditional zeppele di San Giuseppe mini canoli chocolate &eacute;clairs assorted cakes fresh fruit and cassata. The pastries were purchased from Piedigrotta Bakery of Baltimore and Catania Bakery and A. Litteri Inc. both of DC.</p> <p>Member Niko Maljuzic led the production of the actual meal and religious ceremony assisted by member Peter Edwards who was responsible for logistical arrangement and finances. Other key workers for the event were: Dan Hayes Patrick Wojahn Dave Kolesar Rick Lynch Mark Hibschman Manny Tortosa Dave Vespa Larry Ranly Kenneth Dowling Mike Travers and Larry Huntington. Many more helped behind the scenes and their contributions were very much appreciated.</p> <p>Each year the evening is dedicated to the memory of special individuals who have contributed to the Dignity/Washington community. This year&rsquo;s memorial dedication was to two special parents Veronica and Jerry Colfer in recognition of Veronica&rsquo;s death since last year&rsquo;s dinner.</p>