Children carry on St. Ubaldo tradition in Jessup
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May 28—JESSUP — For Siena Margotta, the St. Ubaldo tradition runs in the family.
The 8-year-old joined nearly 150 other boys and girls who sprinted down borough streets chanting the names of Saints Ubaldo, George (Giorgio) and Anthony (Antonio) and carrying statues on a hot, late May day during the annual La Corsa dei Ceri Piccoli — a children's version of the Race of the Saints — which began in 1977.
Siena, the fourth generation of her family to participate in the festivities, follows in the footsteps of her father, Louis J. Margotta; grandfather, Louis M. Margotta; and great-grandfather, Attilio Vergari.
When La Corsa dei Ceri resumed in Jessup in 2000 after a 10-year hiatus, Louis J. Margotta began participating because of his father. Siena shared a similar sentiment.
"I was inspired by my dad," she said.
Mark Mariani, chair of the kids race committee, who participated in Saturday's La Corsa dei Ceri as a member of the family of St. George, enjoys watching the youngsters weave their way through the course.
"It gets bigger and bigger every year," Mariani said. "The kids get all fired up ... they're yelling and screaming just like we do. A lot of kids look forward to this day."
The children used new, handcrafted ceri, or statues, that arrived Thursday from Gubbio, Italy, where the celebration of St. Ubaldo Baldassini began in the 12th century. Italian immigrants brought the tradition to Jessup in 1909.
Victoria Hanson, secretary of the St. Ubaldo Society, noted the ones previously used were built in the 1800s.
Much like La Corsa dei Ceri, St. Ubaldo always wins the children's race.
Louis J. Margotta eagerly awaits St. Ubaldo weekend each year because of the way it unites area residents.
"It's a special time for Jessup," he said. "This whole festival brings everyone together — all the saints, all the runners. We're together all week. We honor the ceraioli (runners) that passed away before us."
Lucy Ritzco, 12, of Jessup, who served as seconda capitana (second captain), and Donnie McDonough, 8, of South Canaan Twp., the primo capitano, or first captain, led runners throughout the course from Powell Avenue to Veterans Memorial Field.
Ritzco, who participated in the event for nine years, appreciated the recognition.
"It's an honor because they give it to people who have run for a long time," she said.
Siena, who donned blue as a member of St. George, wore a bright smile after participating in the race Sunday afternoon.
"I love running and chanting, and I know all these saints are all friends," she said.
Contact the writer:
rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131;
@rtomkavage on Twitter.
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