Procession at sea in honor of St. Basso

Discover

The patron saint carried in procession on a boat

Patronal festivals are always very heartfelt. Some also have distinctive features compared to the others. All, however, have in common the classic procession by which the statue of the saint is accompanied through the streets of the town. In Termoli, however, the feast in honor of Saint Basso is characterized precisely by the procession.

Being a coastal town, the sea could not fail to be present. And in fact the procession takes place at sea, with the statue of the patron saint Saint Bass carried on a fishing boat.

History

The origin of the cult of Saint Basso in Termoli is lost in the centuries. What is certain is that during the 13th century his relics were already in Termoli. These, however, in order to be protected from the constant Saracen raids, were hidden by the bishop in a crypt present below the present altar of the city’s cathedral. The sarcophagus was later accidentally discovered in 1761 during restoration work on the Cathedral. From this date began the celebration that is still carried on today.

The sea procession evokes the legend that some fishermen found the sarcophagus containing the saint’s remains at sea.

The event

The event takes place every year on August 3 and 4. On August 3, the statue of the saint is carried from the Cathedral to the port. Here it is loaded onto a fishing boat that was drawn by lot in the previous days. The boat, festively decorated, sets sail from the pier followed by dozens of other boats laden with worshippers and tourists. The most characteristic is the band that accompanies the procession with religious and traditional folk music. Arriving offshore, a wreath is dropped into the water, and after the simultaneous sounding of the sirens of all the boats, it is returned to the harbor. The statue is left at the fish market where it remains throughout the night so that the faithful can go to see it, greet it or say a prayer.

During the afternoon of Aug. 4, the statue is carried from the port back to the cathedral by foot procession. Then, at the stroke of midnight, to conclude the two-day celebration, a magnificent fireworks display lights up the sky of Termoli and Rio Vivo beach in particular.

The feast in honor of Saint Basso is very heartfelt and is accompanied by performances, concerts and markets that continue on August 5.

Photo by Gabriella Tutolo.