The Feast of Saint Peter is one of the most important festivities for fishermenwho that day celebrate their patron saint in numerous ports and coves in our country.
During that day, colorful processions take place, both in the streets and at sea, aboard boats specially decorated for the occasion. Religious ceremonies, chants and Chinese dances are also often held in honor of Saint Peter.
This festival is characterized by having a family atmospheresince it usually brings together fishermen and their families, as well as neighbors, authorities and tourists who wish to participate in this typical celebration of the coves of Chile.
Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen
Saint Peter was a disciple of Jesus, who has become the patron saint of fishermen for more than 150 years. For this reason, almost all the coves have an image of Saint Peter, generally looking towards the sea, as a symbol of the protection that he gives to the fishermen.
Its festival is one of the oldest religious traditions in our country. During the celebration, Fishermen ask this saint for a good year of work at sea and they are grateful for the protection provided during the performance of their tasks.
Celebrations in honor of San Pedro throughout Chile
The next Saturday June 29 a new one will be made San Pedro festival in numerous ports and coves in Chile. Next, we tell you about different places where you can witness this colorful religious tradition.
Arica Fisherman’s Cove
In the coves of northern Chile, the celebration is usually marked by the presence of typical dances and costumes of the highlandswhich are carried out in honor of Saint Peter.
This year, in Arica the festivities will begin with the eve celebration on Saint Peter’s Day on Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m. in the city’s fishermen’s cove. While on June 29, the activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the arrival of the religious dancesfollowed by a mass at 10:00 a.m. and procession at sea around noon.
During the celebration, entrepreneurs of regional products will be installed and the Orfeón de Arica will also be present.
Huasco Cove
In Huasco, the Festival of San Pedro will be celebrated from June 28 to 30. During those days there will be masses, religious dances and processions of the image of the patron saint by sea and land.
As is customary in this town in the Atacama Region, a craft fair on Avenida Costanerafrom the Fiscal Dock to the Monumental Lighthouse.
Tongoy Cove
In this town in the Coquimbo Region it is a tradition that neighbors, fishermen and tourists carry out colorful processions to commemorate Saint Peter. In the latest version of this festival, more than 2,000 people gathered in Tongoy.
As is customary, the boats are decorated for the occasion and the procession of the figure of Saint Peter in Tongoy Bay. There are also Chinese dances, a Eucharist and stalls by local entrepreneurs.
Caleta El Membrillo de Valparaíso
In Valparaíso it is carried out the largest San Pedro festival in Chilewhich takes place in Caleta El Membrillo in the Playa Ancha neighborhood.
This celebration begins around 09:00 hours in the San Pedro Chapellocated a few meters from Caleta El Membrillo, from where the procession through the streets of the neighborhood until you reach the Prat Pier where the procession continues into the sea.
In the cove there is usually a solemn masswhich is attended by civil, military and religious authorities, as well as Chinese dances and other popular expressions. Fishermen usually decorate their boats with flowers and images of San Pedro and the Virgen del Carmen.
Caleta Pacheco Altamirano de San Antonio
The Festival of San Pedro in San Antonio each year brings together hundreds of fishermen, neighbors and other participants.
This year, activities will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the San Antonio de Padua Parishfrom where the procession to Caleta Pacheco Altamirano. At this site a campaign mass will be celebrated, followed by a corner performed by the Puerto de San Antonio Folkloric Ensemble.
At 2:00 p.m. the boarding of the patron saint will begin to make the traditional image tour of the bay from the city.
Pichilemu Fisherman’s Cove
In Pichilemu, the celebrations for the festival of San Pedro will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception parish.
From there the traditional procession of the image of San Pedro to the Caleta de Pescadoreswhere a mass will take place at 12:00 p.m., as well as a commemorative ceremony in which authorities from the area will be present.
Talcahuano Coves
The Biobío Region usually celebrates the Festival of San Pedro in a big way and the commune of Talcahuano is no exception, since in its different coves there are usually busy parties held in honor of the patron saint of the seas.
Some places in Talcahuano where you can participate in this religious festival are Caleta Tumbes, El Morro, San Vicente, Talcahuano Fishing Port and Caleta el Soldado.
The festivities usually begin in the morning with a thanksgiving mass, while In the afternoon the procession of San Pedro takes place aboard boats decorated with flowers, garlands and colorful flags.
After the procession in the sea, it is customary to hold a party in which the typical marine cuisine of the area abounds, as well as dances and music.
Chiloé Coves
In the Chiloé archipelago, the Festival of San Pedro is celebrated in different locations, such as Quellón, Dalcahue, Quinchao, Chonchi and Ancud.
In the different towns of Chiloé, boats are decorated and processions by sea, land and through the island’s canalswhich are accompanied by chilote music. Masses are also celebrated to ask for abundance and protection for fishermen.
