Celtic Cross ceremony: the Sunday before Saint Patrick's Day tradition in Savannah
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – It's a Sunday before Saint Patrick's Day tradition – starting the morning with mass at St. Johns Basilica Cathedral and ending with the Celtic Cross ceremony at Emmett Park.
'It's where we honor our past, present and future Irishmen. The ones that have come before and the ones like my children that are being raised now. '
It's a ceremony that's usually filled with Irish-Catholic families marching in celebration toward Emmett Park to watch as the traditional wreath is mounted in front of the Celtic Cross monument. The weather this year left those celebrations indoors.
But Grand Marshal, Jay Burke, and members of the Saint Patrick's Day committee ignored the rain and still marched to the monument to honor the Irish-Catholic heritage by lying the wreath.
'It's a tradition. We do this to honor our ancestors. It started in '83. And it's one of those things that we look forward to every year,' said Burke.
It's also a tradition that Burke says his father would thank him for carrying out.
'I was born and raised a catholic and I was fortunate to go to a catholic school and grammar school and high school. And I love my heritage. If it wasn't for him, you know, growing up around town, this day probably wouldn't be possible.'
Now a week away from Saint Patrick's Day, Burke said the momentum is really starting to pick up. With only one more traditional ceremony before the big parade, Burke is sad for it to be nearing its close but can't wait for anyone – no matter Catholic, Irish, or whatever religion or culture folks align with – to celebrate the holiday with them.
'Like they say, everyone's Irish on Saint Patrick's Day,' said Burke. 'All our families come together. All cultures come together. And it's a great feeling because Savannah is such a warm, loving place to live and grow up.'
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