E viva San Giuseppe, viva!

The cry e viva San Giuseppe  that was heard in this procession may appear strange to one not knowledgeable about Italian religious customs because it means may Saint Joseph live. Since he is presumably in heaven he should be there forever; but is he really living? At any rate, this slogan is heard in processions not only for Saint Joseph but for other saints and for the Madonna with the object of the verb viva changing appropriately.  These shots are from a Saint Joseph procession held a few years ago in  Ridgewood, Queens, home to many Italian Americans who have transported their customs to this side of the Atlantic.