TimesLeader.com

May 24

‘Race of the Saints’ Saturday in Jessup

By Shelby Fisk sfisk@scrantonedition.com
Scranton Edition Staff Writer / Photographer

Carole Coccodrilli, public relations chair for the St. Ubaldo Society in Jessup, said La Festa dei Ceri, or “Race of the Saints,” which takes place Saturday is a wonderful event for the community.

Its purpose is to honor St. Ubaldo, who represents upper-class citizens; St. George, who represents the middle-class; and St. Anthony Abbot, who represents the lower-class.

“Hundreds of backyards will have fires going,” Coccodrilli said. The day and night will be filled with music, food and drinks, and merriment, she said.

Activities begin at 7 a.m. and continue through 8 p.m. On Sunday, additional activities are planned to especially to get the children involved in the tradition.

A Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Assumption Church, 516 Third Ave., Jessup, at 11 a.m. before the ceremonial alzata, or “raising of the saints.”

“It’s a very big event. They wait for it for the whole year,” Coccodrilli said.

Teams wearing colors for the saints – yellow for St. Ubaldo, blue for St. George and black for St. Anthony Abbot – will parade the saints through the streets of Jessup beginning at 5 p.m.

Coccodrilli noted that no saint can pass another out. “It’s a day to honor a great patron (Ubaldo),” she said.

St. Ubaldo Festival schedule

SATURDAY, May 23

7 a.m. – The St. Ubaldo Society Band will travel throughout the streets of Jessup.

7:30 a.m. – Society officers and participants will gather at St. John’s Cemetery in Jessup for a brief ceremony honoring past ceraioli.

8:15 a.m. – Society officers and participants will meet at St. Mary’s in Montdale for a brief ceremony honoring past ceraioli.

9:30 a.m. – All participants will meet at the St. Ubaldo Cultural Center to receive their “fiore” and organize for a procession to Mass. Coffee and “dolce” will be available.

10 a.m. – “Hearts to Art” mural presentation.

10:30 a.m. – Procession of participants to St. Mary’s Church.

11 a.m. – St. Ubaldo Day Mass honoring the three saints. Weather permitting, Mass will be celebrated outside the church in the parking lot.

Noon – The Alzata or “Raising of the Saints” will take place outside St. Mary’s Church.

1 p.m. – A luncheon buffet, or “trava ceraioli,” will be held at Holy Ghost Hall for all participants and guests. Entertainment will be provided by Gabriel Gundi. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from each family representative and at the Cultural Center from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

3 p.m. – Gathering for friends and family at Cultural Center. Dolci and refreshments will be served.

TBA – Team pictures will be taken at team homes.

5 p.m. – A procession with the Most Holy Relic of St. Ubaldo will begin at Mylert Street and Grassy Island Avenue. It will proceed to the beginning of the Corsa dei Ceri on Powell Avenue and Ward Street. Older and younger ceraioli are needed to carry the statue and relic.

5:30 p.m. – After a blessing with the St. Ubaldo Relic, the Corsa dei Ceri will be held throughout the streets of Jessup.

8 p.m. – Shortly after ending the Corsa at Jessup Veterans Memorial Field, a candlelight procession will be held returning the saints and the Ceri to St. James Church. Socials will be held in town. Contact any family member of the teams for more information.

SUNDAY, May 24

10 a.m. – All children will meet at St. Mary’s Church for Mass at 11 a.m. Children can obtain a shirt, fazzoletto and sash if they do not have them. Children must wear long white pants.

Noon – The alzata will take place after Mass, followed by a procession to the Cultural Center for lunch, or “tavolina buona,” for all children.

1 p.m. – The children’s Corsa dei Ceri will be held at Ward Street and Powell Avenue.