Tables of Saint Joseph in Riccia

A Centuries-Old Ritual

The Tables of Saint Joseph in Riccia (CB) are one of the oldest and most distinctive devotional rituals of the Molise Fortore region. The tradition dates back to around 1700, when Capuchin monks from Puglia spread the custom. Legend has it that the ritual originated from the welcome of a poor traveler: refreshed and sheltered, the stranger was enveloped in a light, and a lily, a symbol of Saint Joseph, bloomed from his staff.

Altar-Tables and the 13 Courses

On March 19th, a symbolic eve in the heart of Lent, devout families open their homes and set up richly laden altar-tables with thirteen lean courses (without meat). Traditional dishes include: simple appetizers (pickled peppers, pears, and cherries), macaroni with sauce and "mollicati" (breadcrumbs), fried and baked cod, beans with raisins, stuffed peppers, broccoli, lentils, battered cauliflower, rice pudding, and a sweet and sour mix of cod and dried fruit.

Saint Joseph's Calzone

An unmissable specialty is the Saint Joseph's calzone: a pastry filled with cooked chickpea flour, honey, and cinnamon, a sweet symbol of the feast. The ritual is completed with the blessing of the bread and the sharing of food with the poor of the village, renewing the values of faith, hospitality, and community.