A new rendition of an ancient Sicilian tradition honoring St. Joseph kicks off Tuesday in the nation's oldest seaport where the first and subsequent generations of immigrants give thanks for their faith and wellbeing to their patron saint.

Felicia (nee Ciaramitaro) Mohan and her inexhaustible group of cohorts — whom she affectionately refers to as "cumnares" — have undertaken hosting a nine-day prayer service leading to a public reenactment of Joseph's story on March 19, all based at the American Legion in downtown Gloucester.