11-R116

2011 -- S 0706

Enacted 03/17/11

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATION OF ST. JOSEPH'S DAY

Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Algiere, DiPalma, Ottiano, and Tassoni

Date Introduced: March 17, 2011

     WHEREAS, Saint Joseph, Holy Patriarch and Patron Saint of Workers, known by his

deeds, was a man of quiet courage and deep faith who was tested in Nazareth, Bethlehem, and

Egypt; and

     WHEREAS, Humble yet noble, patient yet determined, Saint Joseph accepted his

burdens and bore them with dignity, all the while exhibiting an enduring strength as family

patriarch, guide, and guardian during the most perilous of times; and

     WHEREAS, Saint Joseph is celebrated by Christians around the world, from the tropical

heat of the Philippines, to the ancient thoroughfares of Rome, to the storied walls of San Juan

Capistrano, as the embodiment of family solidarity – a dedicated, humble, hardworking father and

husband; and

     WHEREAS, On March 19th, the annual celebration of the Feast of Saint Joseph – nearly

2000 years after his sojourn on earth came to an end – Italian-Americans and all others renew

their efforts to emulate the just peace of a loving and beloved man, the wealth of faith, and the

noble overcoming of adversity displayed by Saint Joseph; and

     WHEREAS, Italians and Italian-Americans celebrate the prevention of a Sicilian famine

in the Middle Ages as a miracle attributed to Saint Joseph; and

     WHEREAS, Italian immigrants to Rhode Island helped form the cultural foundation of

our state and today they sing the praises of Saint Joseph as songs of inclusion, of strength

tempered by faith, of sacrifice for family, and of the glorious gift of honest labor; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby commemorates the celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph and the principles his life

celebrates.

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LC02103

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