This tradition started in Sicily in the Middle Ages, when residents pleaded to their patron saint for relief from a drought that caused a famine. After the rains came, the residents built an altar overflowing with food to thank the saint and then distributed the items to those in need. St. Joseph Altars are traditionally built in three tiers to honor the Trinity, with a statue or picture of the saint on the top tier. Flowers, fruit, cookies, candles and medals decorate all three levels, and visitors often leave prayer petitions. Sicilian immigrants brought the tradition to New Orleans, where it continues to this day with more than 40 churches listed on the Archdiocese’s website as destinations for altars this year.