Saint Joseph

Has it really been 5 years today since I wrote about the festivities in certain Belgian villages celebrating Joseph on his name day -- the tradition of going to mass followed by a candle procession to the chapel?  I went back today to the little village of Testelt in northeastern Flemish Brabant, hoping the tradition had continued.... 

I was not disappointed.

March 19

March 19,  the name day of Joseph, regarded by Catholics as a Patron Saint, still today is celebrated in several cities all over the place in a traditional way.  Also in this village Testelt, in northeastern Flemish Brabant.  It is a tiny town surrounded by others, several of which, such as Scherpenheuvel, Averbode and Zichem, are better known, mainly for their history and catholic traditions.  It is a longstanding tradition for the town people in Testelt to go to mass on this day, and after the ceremony a candle procession lead by the priest takes them from the church to the chapel, which was built in 1830, renovated in 1974 and again in 1999.  Its inscription reads "H Jozef bescherm ons" meaning "St Joseph protect us".