17:47 | Chimbote, Jun. 29.
With great joy and strong religious fervor, hundreds of locals took part in the traditional San Pedrito procession held every year on the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul in Chimbote city, in Ancash region.
Fishermen and devotees gathered at the port terminal of Chimbote since early in the morning to participate in the traditional procession.
Earlier, they attended a mass celebrated at San Pedro church at 7am.
After that, the image of “the patron of fishermen” was carried in procession to the port terminal, and then taken to the sea.
The image reached Chimbote’s small cove on a barge and was then put in a handcrafted fishing boat.
Afterwards, it returned to the dock, where it was taken on-board Westella, an industrial ship owned by Copeinca fishing company. The vessel was the venue for this year’s ceremony.
The mass was celebrated by Father Juan Roger, who asked San Pedrito (Saint Peter) to bless the Chimbote sea and protect hundreds of fishermen in this part of the nation.
After the mass, local authorities threw ceremonial offerings into the ocean.
Then, people got together and danced inside the vessel carrying the Patron Saint.
Several believers rented small boats to join the event held in open sea. The activity ended at 1pm (local time).
(END) GHD/MAO/RMB
Published: 6/29/2016