Traditions

Holy Cross has a rich store of traditions, some practically as old as the school itself, some more recent. The traditional rivalry with Boston College is still strong, despite the fact that the two schools haven't competed athletically since the 1980s. The Catholic Church provides many traditions, such as the Mass of the Holy Spirit welcoming freshmen to the College (and providing parents with a way to say good-bye to their children), and the Baccalaureate Mass said at graduation. The College also has a strong tradition of community service and volunteerism within the Worcester community.

In terms of more tangible traditions, Spring Weekend (first weekend in May) is an excuse for the campus to celebrate spring. The school sponsors a carnival held on the Hart Lawn and most off-campus houses have huge parties. As an institution with a large population of Irish American students, St. Patrick's Day celebrations are also a long-standing tradition.