Saint Joseph patron Saint of workers fathers families

These are joyful, blessed days, preparing for the feast and celebrating Saint Joseph! Thank you dear friends. <3 <3 <3

The first clip is of some of the helpers from pasta-making day. People stop in throughout the day to lend a hand and some are at their own homes preparing food to bring to the feast. As much as I would like to, it is impossible to get all in one photo! The second batch of clips shows Franco and friends cooking the vast pots of bubbling pasta that is served with both the Feast of Saint Joseph special fava bean sauce and Nina’s marinara, and the last clips are from pasta-making day.

With love and gratitude to Nina and Frank Groppo. Viva San Giuseppe!

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 7 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 4 of 16

FV Miss Trish Captains and Crew Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 5 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 8 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 1 of 1

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 2 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 3 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 10 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 11 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 12 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 13 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 14 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 16 of 16

Saint Joseph Day Gloucester March 19, 2026 copyright Kim Smith - 15 of 16

Each year Nina and Franco Groppo open their hearts and home to the community to honor Saint Joseph, the patron Saint of workers, fathers, and families. The house is full of family and friends coming together to attend the nine day Novena and prepare for the feast to celebrate Saint Joseph, which is always on March 19th, a Thursday this year.

Felicia Sciortino and Nina dedicated the altar to honor the crew of the Fishing Vessel Lily Jean that sank on January 30th. Captain Gus Sanfilippo and six crew members were lost at sea. There is a beautiful model of the ship, made by Felicia’s brother Domenic Di Maio, and the altar is decorated with lovely symbols and handmade artifacts (made by Felicia) representing the hardworking men and women who fish the sea.

It is such a joyous day making pasta with these wonderful friends and I so love photographing and filming the event. A video is coming and in the meantime, here are a few snapshots. It’s baby Julian’s first Saint Joseph and Nina and Franco’s first great-grandchild so there are tons of photos of this adorable little nugget. Julian is the son of Steve and Mikaela LeBlanc, the grandson of Maria Groppo, and Steve and Melanie LeBlanc, and the great-grandson of Nina and Franco.