3,000 lose power in Houma
March 17, 2016
Arch Bell
March 18, 2016
For much of Margo Battaglia Clement’s life, St. Joseph’s Day has held a special place in her heart. It’s the best birthday celebration anyone could ask for.
The tradition of setting up an elaborate altar has been part of her family’s heritage for roughly 40 years, passed down to the Thibodaux resident 18 years ago. She reflects on her past year each March 19, and dutifully prepares her home to welcome thousands who flock to the Jackson Street address in search of solace.
“You know, people have birthdays and they invite all their friends to it. I just have this big birthday party and I have no clue who some of these people are; but to me, it’s just the most fantastic day,” she said. “It makes it special for me to know that people just come in my home and they pray on my birthday Many people receive gifts in so many different ways but for me, it’s just the most special gift.”
The tradition dates back to when Clement’s uncle was diagnosed with a brain tumor year ao. Doctors didn’t believe he would survive surgery, she said, but with help from St. Joseph, the patron saint of the dying, he survived.
“The story goes that my grandmother prayed to St. Joseph to intercede, and he did,” Clement said. “She said she would do St. Joseph altars after that…. She promised in her vow that she would wear brown for the rest of her life. It was her least favorite color. Growing up, I always remember my grandmother in brown, but I never actually knew why at the time.”
Each year, Clement empties her dining and living room in preparation of the big day. She’s contemplated relocating the event to her dance studio in downtown Thibodaux, but believes home is more suitable.
“When I was growing up, I don’t remember going to any of [the altars] in churches,” she said. “I remember my dad pulling up on the side of the road one day and he said, ‘Your mom says that you’re considering doing the altar downtown.’ He just looked at me with the saddest face and he says, ‘Bad decision, daughter. Bad decision.’ I just knew at that time that it had to stay in the home. It was not to be a commercialized type thing.”
Clement and her family began preparing foods for the altar a month ago. Her mother made close to 10,000 cookies. The last week, Clement and her daughter have been icing cookies and decorating her home.
Visitors will receive fava beans for luck, religious statues, blessed salt, prayer cards and candles. Clement’s husband also readies meatless dishes for the day.
This year’s altar focuses on the Catholic Church’s Holy Year of Mercy. Clement has added a life-sized Divine Mercy image ordered from the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Poland. That was where Jesus reportedly appeared before Sister Faustina in the 1930s.
Over the past 18 years, Clement has welcomed thousands to her home, their stories encouraging her to continue the tradition.
She recalls the words of one woman in particular. “I don’t know anything about the St. Joseph altar. I’m not even Catholic,” the visitor said. “But I know one thing. People are coming to your house today to pray and I need prayer.”
“[People] walk out and you can see their faces have changed,” Clement said. “They’ve experienced God in my house. They felt the presence of God in my house. For me, it’s just the most beautiful feeling.”
LOCAL ST. JOSEPH’S DAY ALTARS
• Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, 500 Goode St., Houma; mass Friday, 8:30 a.m., blessing and Tupa-Tupa to follow; viewing, Friday until 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• St. Joseph Co-Cathedral – 721 Canal Blvd., Thibodaux; blessing Saturday at 6:30 a.m.; viewing 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• St. Lawrence, 3723 La. Highway 307, Thibodaux; viewing Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Cannata’s Supermarket, 6307 W. Park Ave., West Houma and 1977 Prospect Blvd., East Houma; viewing through Monday during store hours.
• St. Mary’s Nativity School, 3500 La. Highway 1, Raceland; viewing Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• St. Hilary of Poitiers, 333 Twin Oak Drive, Raceland; Mass Saturday, 4 p.m.; viewing, beginning at 8 a.m.
• St. Bridget Catholic Church, 100 La. Highway 311, Schriever; blessing Saturday at 7 a.m.; viewing, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Holy Savior, 306 School St., Lockport; blessing Saturday, 8 a.m.; viewing, Saturday 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Our Lady of Prompt Succor, 529 La. Highway 20, Thibodaux; mass, Saturday, 7 a.m.; viewing, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Sacred Heart, 15300 W. Main St., Cut Off; blessing, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; viewing, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• St. Joseph, 5232 Highway 56, Chauvin; mass, Saturday, 9 a.m.; blessing; 10 a.m.; viewing, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• St. Joseph, 17989 W. Main St., Galliano; blessing Saturday, 10 a.m.; viewing, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Our Lady of the Rosary, 12911 E. Main St., Larose mass, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.; blessing, 9:30 a.m.; viewing, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• St. Genevieve Catholic Church, 815 Barbier Ave., Thibodaux; mass and blessing, Saturday, 10 a.m.; viewing 10a.m. – 4 p.m.
• St. Thomas Aquinas, 204 Madewood Drive, Thibodaux; viewing, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Maria Immacolata, 246 Corporate Drive, Houma; blessing, Friday, 11 a.m.; viewing Friday, 11:30a.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Clement Home – 812 Jackson St., Thibodaux; viewing, Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Margo Battaglia Clement works on the St. Joseph Day altar that occupies her dining and living rooms. Thousands have viewed the altar, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, over the years. It is located at 812 Jackson St. in Thibodaux.
