“Viva San Giuseppe” shouted the patrons in the hall at St. Philip Neri Parish in Southeast Portland after a table honoring the feast day of St. Joseph was blessed by Father Nazario Atukunda, pastor of the parish.

“Viva San Giuseppe” is an Italian phrase to celebrate St. Joseph. It’s a saying repeated during the long-celebrated Sicilian parties honoring the saint. The table at St. Philip was clothed in white and topped with statues, candles and food all meant for the feast day. There were fruits and desserts and bread molded in the shape of St. Joseph’s staff and in the shape of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.