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St. Joseph Altars return across New Orleans

Where to find St. Joseph Altars near you

2026 St. Joseph's Day Altar's There are several altars of beautiful spreads all across our area in honor of St. Joseph's Day. Shan Bailey gives us a look at the meaning behind this tradition

NEW ORLEANS, La. (NOLA NOW) - St. Joseph’s Altars are a beloved tradition celebrated from Sicily. Families and parishes make beautiful altars filled with bread, pastries, and symbolic foods to honor St. Joseph. Here are a few easy ways to locate St. Joseph’s Altars happening across New Orleans.

See list below:

Jefferson Parish

Archbishop Chapelle High School

  • 8800 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie. Public viewing: March 18, 12-8 p.m. and March 19 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Candles are $5 each and can be placed on the altar or on the Rosary table. Visit www.archbishopchapelle.org/st-josephs-altar to purchase and learn more.

Divine Marcy Parish

  • 4337 Sal Lentini Parkway, Kenner. Public viewing: March 19, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m.
  • Blessing: 9 a.m. Mass, Tupa Tupa after 9 a.m. Mass. items available for purchase.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

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  • 1908 Short St., Kenner. Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Lunch served 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Thursday only. March 21, 3 p.m.–6 p.m. Mach 22, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 10 a.m. Lunch will be served on March 19,11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor

  • 146 4th St, Westwego, March 19, 8 a.m. Mass, followed blessing of the altar.
  • Public viewing: after the blessing. A meal service, noon –5:30p.m. Cookies and candles will be sold throughout the day.

St. Agnes Parish

  • 3310 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson. Public Viewing: March 18 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., March 19 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Also, during all Masses, March 20 – 22.
  • Blessing: March 18 at 6 p.m. Altar pastries & cakes, as well as a cash donation will be distributed to the needy in our community.

St. Angela Merici

  • 901 Beverly Garden Drive, Metairie. Public viewing: March 18, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. March 19, 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 10:30 a.m. Tupa Tupa March 19, 10:30 a.m. Free meals from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. or when the meals run out.

St. Ann Church and Shrine

  • 4920 Loveland St., Metairie (behind Church). Public viewing: March 18, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. March 19, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Blessing: After 8:45 a.m. Mass, March 18. Italian cookies and St. Joseph candles available. Food from Altar donated to local charities.

St. Benilde Church and School

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  • 1901 Division St., Metairie. Public viewing: March 19, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Blessing: March 19, 8:15 a.m.

St. Catherine of Siena

  • 1643 Metairie Road, Metairie. Public viewing: March 19, opened until 6 p.m. March 20, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, after 9 a.m. Mass. The Altar will be located in the Melancon Center, first floor of the new parish building.

St. Clement of Rome

  • 4317 Richland Ave., Metairie. Public viewing: March 18, noon–8 p.m. March 19, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 18, 12 p.m.

St. Cletus

  • 3600 Claire Ave., Gretna. Public viewing: March 19, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Blessing: 3/18 6 p.m. followed by Rosary. Food served 3/19 until gone. Free parking in front of St. Jerome Hall in front of church.

St. Francis Xavier – St. Joseph Altar Society

  • 215 Betz Place, Metairie. Public viewing: March 18, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m. March 19, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 2 p.m. Tupa Tupa March 19 after 8 a.m. Mass in the school auditorium. Meal served on March 19 from 11a.m.–2 p.m. or when food runs out.

St. Joachim

  • 5505 Barataria Blvd, Marrero. Public viewing, March 19 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Blessing March 18 after 6 p.m. Mass.

St. John Paul II

  • 6851 River Road, Waggaman. Public viewing: March 19, noon–6 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 18, 6:00 PM; Tupa Tupa March 19, 11a.m. Fig cookies, rock cookies, cocoon cookies (aka, Italian wedding cookies or pecan delights), stuffed artichokes and to-go plates will be available for a donation.

St. Joseph Church & Shrine

  • Corner of 7th and Newton Sts., Gretna. Public viewing: March18, 5–7 p.m. March 19, noon–4 p.m.
  • Blessing and Tupa Tupa: March 19 following 10 a.m. Mass with Archbishop Checchio. March 18 prayer service in gym, 5 p.m. (prior to viewing). March 19, 10 a.m. Mass followed by Tupa Tupa to gym for blessing. Altar open for viewing and food served 12 p.m.–4 p.m.

St. Joseph the Worker

  • 455 Ames Blvd., Marrero. Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 9:45 a.m. Food will be served at 10 a.m.Blessed candles will be available.

St. Philip Neri

  • 6500 Kawanee Avenue Metairie. Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m. -7 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, at 10 a.m. Children’s story time at 4 p.m. Living Rosary at 4:30 p.m. Children’s choir performance at 5 p.m. Italian meal served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more at spnparish.net/stjoseph.

Mary Spano and friends

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  • 1721 Robin St., Marrero, March 19, 25th annual St. Joseph’s Altar from 12 p.m.–6 p.m. Donations will benefit the child of a sick family friend.

Orleans Parish

All Saints Church

  • 1441 Teche St., New Orleans. Public viewing: March 14, 5–7 p.m. March 15, 7–11:30 a.m. March 16, 6:30–7 a.m. March 17, 6:30–7 a.m. March 18, 6:30–7 a.m. March 19, 6:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 6 p.m. Mass and Blessing St. Joseph Altar at 6 p.m. followed by a Spaghetti Dinner. All are invited at 7 p.m. in the parish hall.

Blessed Francis X, Seelos

  • 3037 Dauphine St., New Orleans (Parish Hall). Public viewing: March 18, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and March 19, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 12 p.m., followed by meals (to go)

Brother Martin High School

  • 4401 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans (James B. Branton Chapel on the campus). Public viewing: March 18, 2–6 p.m.; March 19, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Blessing: March 18, 2 p.m.
  • Blessed bags will be available, and candles will be available with a donation.

Cabrini High School and The Elenian Club

  • 1400 Moss St., New Orleans (Sacred Heart Chapel on campus) Public viewing: March 18, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and March 19, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Traditional St. Joseph’s Altar feast in school courtyard at 4 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Church

  • 130 Baronne, New Orleans. Public viewing: March 18, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. March 19, 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 12:30 p.m. Lunch served in Lenes Hall on March 19 beginning at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Loyola University New Orleans

  • Located in the lobby of Starbucks in the Danna Student Center, Public viewing: March 19, noon–5 p.m.
  • Blessing: 12 p.m.

Mount Carmel Academy

  • 7027 Milne Blvd., New Orleans, Cafe Campbell. Public viewing: March 19, 8 a.m.– 5 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 8 a.m.

St. Alphonsus

  • 923 Josephine St., New Orleans. Public viewing: March 19 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Blessing: 9 a.m. Mass with devotions to St. Jospeh, 12 p.m.–2 p.m.
  • Spaghetti meals to go served until food runs out. Blessed cookie bags and candles available for a donation.

St. Augustine Church

  • 1210 Governor Nicholls, New Orleans. Public viewing: March 19, noon–6 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 12:15 p.m.

St. Dominic

  • 775 Harrison Ave., New Orleans. Public viewing: March 14, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. March 15 –19, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 14, 4:30 p.m. The altar is in the church.

St. Francis of Assisi

  • 631 State St., New Orleans. Public viewing: March 19, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, following 6 p.m. Mass. Reception at the Rectory.

St. John the Baptist

  • 1139 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans. Public viewing: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

St. Joseph

  • 1802 Tulane Ave., New Orleans. Public viewing: March 19, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Blessing and Mass: 12 p.m.
  • Traditional meatless spaghetti dinner served after Mass until 2 p.m.

St. Rita

  • 2729 Lowerline, New Orleans. Public viewing: March 19, after 7 a.m. Mass–6 p.m. March 20, after 7 a.m. Mass–6 p.m. March 21, after 8 a.m. Mass–4 p.m. March 22, after 7 a.m. Mass–5 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, after 7 a.m. Mass

Northshore

Holy Family

  • 1220 14th Ave., Franklinton. Public viewing: March 19, begins with Mass and Blessing of Altar and viewing follow in the parish hall.
  • Blessing: March 19, following 10 a.m. Mass followed by Tupa Tupa and meal.

Mary, Queen of Peace

  • 1501 W Causeway Approach, Mandeville (Parish Center). Public viewing: March 20, 4–8 p.m. March 21, 2–6 p.m.

Most Holy Trinity

  • 501 Holy Trinity Dr, Covington (Family Center). Public viewing: March 19, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 9:30 a.m.

Our Lady of the Lake

  • 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville. Public viewing: March 14, 3–5:30 p.m. March 15, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 15, 9 a.m. Tupa Tupa immediately following the blessing. Traditional St. Joseph meal will be served March 15, beginning after the 9 a.m. Mass until food runs out.

Our Lady of Lourdes

  • 345 Westchester Blvd., Slidell. Public viewing: March 14, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 14, 11 a.m. Food will be served. Traditional altar cookies.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Latin Mass Community

  • Covington Country Club 200 Country Club Drive, Covington. Public viewing: March 20, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 20, 11a.m. Blessed bags, memorial candles, meal and salt will be available.

St. Jane de Chantal

  • 72040 Maple St, Abita Springs. Public viewing: March 19, 12 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
  • Blessing: 9 a.m., after 8 a.m. Mass; Tupa Tupa 9:30 a.m. Meals available on March 19, 12 p.m., until food runs out.

St. John the Baptist

  • 11345 St John Church Road, Folsom, March 21, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. March 22, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 21, 5:30 p.m. Tupa Tupa March 22, 12 p.m. Dining March 22, 12 p.m.–3 p.m. All leftover food will be boxed at 3 p.m. for the homebound by the outreach ministry.

Saint Luke the Evangelist

  • 910 Cross Gates Boulevard, Slidell. Public viewing: March 19, following Mass at 8:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
  • Blessing of the Altar following procession after Mass.

Saint Peter

  • 125 East 19th Ave., Covington. Public viewing: March 15, after 8 a.m. Mass.
  • Blessing: March 15, 9 a.m.

Sts. Peter and Paul

  • 66192 St. Mary Drive, Pearl River. Public viewing: March 19, 11a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 19, 11a.m.

River Parishes

Ascension of Our Lord

  • 1900 Greenwood Dr., LaPlace. Public viewing: March 19, following 8:30 a.m. Mass until 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Blessing when altar opens following 8:30 a.m. Mass.

Holy Family Church

  • 155 Holy Family Lane, Luling. Public viewing and blessing: March 19, following 10 a.m. Mass. Altar festivities begin in hall after Mass.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

  • 1 Rectory Lane, Hahnville. Public viewing: March 18, 6:30 p.m.– 8 p.m.
  • Blessing of the altar 6:30 p.m. followed by Tupa Tupa and spaghetti dinner. March 19, 8 a.m. Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph followed by the Rosary.
  • Public viewing: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Cookies, candles and oil available for a donation.

St. Anthony of Padua

  • 234 Angus Drive, Luling. Public viewing: March 19, 6 a.m.–7 p.m. Blessing: March 19, 11:15 a.m. Lunch served on March 19, 11:30 a.m. until sold out.

St. Charles Borromeo

  • 13396 River Road, Destrehan, Public viewing: March 19, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 18 (this is a private blessing with the school) Cookies and blessed items will be available for donations.

St. Joan of Arc

  • 529 W. 5th St., LaPlace. Public viewing: March 18, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m. March 19, 9a.m.–6:30 p.m.
  • Blessing: March 18, 9 a.m. Tupa Tupa. March 19, 11 a.m. Meals: March 19, 12 p.m.–1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
  • Cookie sales after all weekend Masses starting February 28, and at Altar while supplies last.

St. Peter Parish

  • 176 Anthony F. Monica St. (St. Hubert Hall), Garyville. March 19.
  • Blessing : 10:15 a.m. Rosary will follow the blessing. Spaghetti will be served 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. Cookie after all weekend Masses March 14 and 15.

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