Fishermen’s Mass at Dia de San Pedro

I got up at 3am today! It had been a few years since I had made it to the boat procession during the Dia De San Pedro celebrations, so this morning I decided to partake in the event. But it also dawned on me that all my life I had not been to the morning Fishermen/Gentlemen’s Mass.

So this year I took it upon myself to attend mass at 4am. In previous years the early morning mass was attended only by men in the community, but now the mass is open to the entire family of the fisherman and anybody wishing to attend.

The mass is dedicated to the fishermen of San Pedro, St. Peter having been a fisherman. And thus the congregation gathers to honor the Island’s patron saint. After mass, everybody is invited to breakfast at the Lions Den.

I remember when only powder buns and caprichos were served with cheese and coffee. This year I was pleasantly surprised when they also served johnny cake sandwiches, meat pies and banana bread with orange juice. The Roman Catholic Church and the San Pedro Town Council also gave out T-shirts and coffee mugs with the image of St Peter printed on them; it was very nice. There was even a mariachi group on hand to sing the mañanitas.

After breakfast I joined the crowed at Central Park where the boat procession was to start. At 6a.m. Father Arthur and Father Daniel embarked on a skiff with fellow church followers with the statue of St. Peter standing at the helm. The boat procession followed from Central Park, through the Boca del Rio and stopped in the San Pedro lagoon just a few yards away from the old football field. There, Father Arthur blessed the participating followers and the fishermen’s skiffs, giving start to the Dia de San Pedro festivities.

Feliz Dia de San Pedro/ Happy San Pedro day to all!