The Fisherman’s Club from Boston’s North End traveled to Italy this week bringing the statue of the Madonna del Soccorso “home” to Sciacca, Sicily and participating in the religious procession there. This is the second time the Boston club has made the trip, following a visit in the 1990’s.
In this video, the Madonna statue from Boston is carried from the Basilica Chiesa Madre in Sciacca to be honored in the streets. Boston Fisherman’s club members are wearing the white sweatshirts.
[responsive_youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG5izTO66Rw]
Later on Monday, the larger and much heavier Madonna statue of Sciacca is carried by over 100 men from as part of the traditional procession. Men in blue sweatshirts are from Sciacca but you will notice a few Bostonians shown in white.
[responsive_youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cXa4fehM-Q]
These videos are from Monday, February 3, 2014 in Sciacca and courtesy of ninoachi.
In Sciacca, Sicily the ‘feast’ is celebrated two times a year, in February and August. The tradition from Sciacca was brought to America by Sicilian immigrants from the fishing town and continues more than 103 years later at the annual Fisherman’s Feast. (See photos and video from 2013.)
Beautiful!