ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY RELEASE:
All At Sea for the Blessing of Sydney's Fishing Fleet
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,9 Nov 2012
The Madonna helps ensure the coming year of fishing is safe and bountiful
The blessing of the Sydney Fish Market fishing fleet and of fishermen and their craft from across NSW, is an eagerly anticipated event, with thousands expected attend the ceremony this year. For the fishermen and their families, Sunday's blessing, however, will have an even deeper significance as it will be the first time the specially-commissioned statue of Santa Maria Di Porto Salvo, guardian of seafarers and fishermen will be part of the ceremony.
The newly-arrived beautifully-painted statue of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo is an exact replica of the statue of the Madonna venerated in Bagnara Calabra, the fishing town in Southern Italy's Calabrian region.
The birthplace of many of the Sydney fleet's fishermen and their families, Bagnara Calabra has long venerated Santa Maria di Porto Salvo as the protector and guardian of seafarers and is very much part of Calabria's history, culture and tradition.
Fire Brigade Vessels will take part in the blessing of the fleet on Sunday
"Her Elevation to Protector of all Seafarers and specifically to all Fishermen goes back to ancient times," says Calabrian-born, veteran Sydney fisherman, Salvatore "Sam" Bagnato. "In Bagnara Calabra where I grew up, the Church dedicated to Santa Maria di Porto Salvo was built in the area where most fishermen and their families lived," he says and recounts ancient story of how a painting representing the Madonna was being transported by ship when near the coast of Bagnara, a massive storm struck. It seemed unlikely the craft or anyone on board would survive.
As the boat was tossed by monstrous waves, the priest escorting the painting asked everyone on board to join him in prayers to the Madonna to ask for her help in saving the ship and their lives.
Bishop Peter Comensoli
"This is when the devotion to Our Lady of Porto Salvo began," he says.
The President of the local Association of Bagnara Calabra, Sam was not only instrumental in organising the sculpting of the statue replica but he was the one who oversaw the statue's installation at its permanent home at St Martha's Catholic Church, Strathfield earlier this year.
He was also responsible for organising the consecration of the statue by Bishop Terry Brady, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Sydney in a moving and very Italian ceremony at St Martha's Church a few weeks later on 16 July this year.
Fishing Fleet at Sydney Fish Market
At 10.am the fleet will return to the Fish Market dock where the Madonna will be carefully carried and placed under a marquee and with Bishop Comensoli presiding, the traditional blessing of the fleet will begin.
The Fish Market will then be turned over for a full day of fun with an Italian flavour.
"The blessing of the fleet each year is an important part of Italian-Australian history and culture and it is important we to support and recognise our local fishermen. Being a fisherman is hard work. It isn't a job, it's a lifestyle," says Bryan Skepper, Manager of the Sydney Fish Market.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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