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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 9, 2013 01:26 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Frank Farina |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | A Resolution Honoring the Borough of Jessup and its St. Ubaldo Society for the annual “La Festa dei Ceri,” also known as “The Race of the Saints” and designating May 25, 2013 as “St. Ubaldo Day” in Pennsylvania. |
| In the very near future I will be introducing a resolution to honor the Borough of Jessup in Lackawanna County and the St. Ubaldo Society in Jessup for the annual “La Festa dei Ceri,” otherwise known as “The Race of the Saints. May 25, 2013 will be designated as “St. Ubaldo Day” in Pennsylvania. St. Ubaldo was a Catholic Bishop who lived in Gubbio, Italy. In 1155 he showed great courage to march out alone to meet with Frederick the First of Germany, otherwise known as Barbarossa. Barbarossa’s army at the time threatened to lay siege and destroy the town. In what many at the time considered to be a miracle, St. Ubaldo persuaded Frederick not to destroy the town of Gubbio. Upon St. Ubaldo’s return, the people celebrated his survival and his protection of the town by placing him on a platform and racing him through the streets. Since his death in 1160, people in Gubbio have organized St. Ubaldo’s Day and “La Festa dei Ceri,” which is known as the Race of the Saints, to honor and remember St. Ubaldo’s courage and determination in protecting their town. Jessup has also held a St. Ubaldo’s Day and “La Festa dei Ceri” on and off since 1909. The festival started in Jessup borough because many of those living there are descended from those who immigrated to the borough from Gubbio and nearby areas. The festival also features the Race of the Saints, which involves a re-enactment of the procession of St. Ubaldo through the streets of Gubbio. However, the procession in both Gubbio and in Jessup now feature three groups carrying large pillars with candles and a statue, one of St. Ubaldo, who is also the patron saint of the Masons; one of St. George, who is the patron saint of England and Italy, one of St. Anthony, the Father of Monasticism, and the patron saint of the farmers. The event centers on promoting peace, cooperation, the building and protection of strong communities and honors those who serve to help and protect others just as St. Ubaldo did in saving and protecting Gubbio. I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this resolution. |
Introduced as HR279