Blessing of the Fishing Waters – Fisherman’s Feast 2012 [Photos]

The 102nd Fisherman’s Feast in Honor of Madonna Del Soccorso Di Sciacca opened on Thursday night with the traditional blessing of the fishing waters at Christopher Columbus Park. Starting at the club and feast chapel on Lewis Street, the statue of the Madonna was carried by society members to Boston Harbor along Commercial Street and Atlantic Avenue.

A special tribute was made this year in honor of the late Phyllis A. Rugnetta, longtime resident of North Street where a memorial sign was unveiled. From this year forward, the statue of the Madonna will stop at the spot in remembrance of Phyllis. (See also Remembering Phyllis A. Rugnetta).

Once at Christopher Columbus Park, Father Antonio from St. Leonard Church blessed the Fishing Waters on the site of the former Italian fleet in Boston Harbor. A huge crowd filled the park for the short ceremony that concluded with the angels throwing flowers into the harbor.

The Fisherman’s Feast is the North End’s oldest continuously running Italian festival and runs through Sunday, August 19, 2012. See this post for the schedule of events and find more information at FishermansFeast.com.

Photos by Matt Conti.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 180 — Devotees of Madonna Del Soccorso gather at Christopher Columbus Park.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 27 — Leaders of the Madonna Del Soccorso Di Sciacca Society at the 2012 Fisherman’s Feast opening.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 281 — The streets light up as night falls on opening night of the Fisherman’s Feast.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 230 — The statue of the Madonna passes the statue of Christopher Columbus.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 211 — The angels throw flowers into Boston Harbor as part of the blessing ceremony.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 151 — The 2012 Flying Angel is Jessica Marie Palazzolo with Side Angels Victoria Bono and Serena D’Amico.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 25 — Families pose in front of Madonna Del Soccorso.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 227 — Feast Co-Chairs, Dom Strazzulo and Kenny Palazzolo.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 141 — Italian – American Band leads the procession into Christopher Columbus Park.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 111 — Father Antonio from Saint Leonard leads the procession with the children.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 92 — Rolling out the money ribbons as part of the Phyllis Rugnetta dedication on North Street.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 78 — Family gathers with society members for the pole dedication of Phyllis Rugnetta.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 232 — Madonna Del Soccorso bathed in the blue sky.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 7 — Opening ceremony of the 102nd Fisherman’s Feast.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 195 — Feast Co-chair Kenny Palazzolo speaks at Christopher Columbus Park.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 296 — “Street Magic” takes the stage on Thursday night at the feast.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 292 — The girls on North Street.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 288 — DJ Sal Bartolo cheers the procession.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 274 — Entrance to the Fisherman’s Club on Lewis Street.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 272 — The procession heads onto Lewis Street from Commercial Street.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 269 — Michael Primo, carrier of the Madonna del Soccorso.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 234 — Lighting the Madonna at Night in Christopher Columbus Park.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 225 — Christopher Columbus Meets the Madonna Del Soccorso.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 224 — Lifelong North Ender, Janet Gilardi, takes part in the candlelight ceremony.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 218 — A dedicated carrier of the statue of Madonna Del Soccorso.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 217 — Watching the blessing of the fishing waters.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 204 — The crowd gathers at the Blessing of the Fishing Waters.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 203 — Nick Verrocchi and friend on Boston Harbor.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 189 — Feast Co-Chair Dom Strazzullo speaks to the crowd.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 186 — Ceremonies for the Blessing of the Fishing Waters.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 145 — Dottie, Nick and Alex pose at Christopher Columbus Park.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 138 — Marie ReRe Bamonte enjoys the occasion with a little friend.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 100 — Dedication to the late Phyllis Rugnetta on North Street.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 72 — Kenny Palazzolo and Grace Rugnetta at the dedication.

2012-08 | Fishermans Feast Blessing of the Waters 43 — Carrying the statue of Madonna del Soccorso on North Street.

Photos by Matt Conti.

13 Replies to “Blessing of the Fishing Waters – Fisherman’s Feast 2012 [Photos]”

Great pictures!

JoAnn Aloise LaPorte says:

Fri, Aug. 17, 2012 at 5:54 am

great pictures.. loved seeing original north enders in somepics and the girls that are going to be angelsgorgus

Great pictures of my cousin's! Ralph, Dottie, Dante, and Ray! Love you guys! See you this weekend!

Stephanie Guarino Hewett says:

Fri, Aug. 17, 2012 at 3:10 pm

Cella luna mezza marte…..!!

Matt~~as usual the photos are Great~~"You Out- Did Yourself "! (If that is possible)? You caught pictures of scenes and people that I didn't even see! Thanks For The Memories! I will treasure them. Thank You You're~~ THE BEST!

Matt Conti says:

Fri, Aug. 17, 2012 at 12:37 pm

Thanks Janet! You're the best. I enjoyed your food at TG's! You must have been cooking all day … excellent as always!
Janis Christina says:

Fri, Aug. 17, 2012 at 2:36 pm

Janet your smiling face was a nice addition to Matt's photos.
Janet Gilardi says:

Fri, Aug. 17, 2012 at 4:08 pm

How nice of you to say Janis~~~Thank You

Just saw aot of my cousin's in these pics!!

Bosco!!!!!!

The Thursday night of our feast is so beautiful.

Stephanie London says:

Sat, Oct. 20, 2012 at 6:55 pm

Maria…I agree,I love the Thursday of our feast…..it’s always so special.I look forward to it every year !!!

Great Feast , wouldn't miss it.

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Blessing of the Fishing Waters – Fisherman’s Feast 2012 [Photos]

13 Replies to “Blessing of the Fishing Waters – Fisherman’s Feast 2012 [Photos]”

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13 Replies to “Blessing of the Fishing Waters – Fisherman’s Feast 2012 [Photos]”