At Saint-Pierre, traditions and tribute to the people of the sea
In La Londe, the Fête de la Saint-Pierre celebrated maritime traditions and paid tribute to lost sailors.
Every summer, the Miramar port dresses up in its finest traditional attire.
In June, the Fête de la Saint-Pierre stands out as the must-attend event for the people of La Londe, sailors, and visitors. Much more than a simple summer entertainment, this patronal feast is a moment of deep popular fervor where the duty of memory combines with Provençal friendliness.
Outdoor mass
During the celebration, Father Carlos Hamel recalled the deep meaning of this gathering: "We accomplish this duty of turning towards this saint and asking him for help, for all those who work here and who come to our commune."
The highlight of the festivities began on the Georges-Gras square, facing the moored boats. After the traditional outdoor mass, the crowd set off for a codified procession with a heavy and proud step.
At the head of the line, the Cross opened the march, carried with fervor by the altar servers of the parish. Just behind, the statue of Saint Pierre, proudly standing, was carried at arm's length by the former sailors of the commune, guardians of the local maritime memory.
Following were François de Canson, the mayor, Father Carlos Hamel, local elected officials, as well as members of the Conseil Municipal des Jeunes, strong symbols of the transmission of these traditions to new generations, then followed by the crowd.
Blessing
After going around the port, the procession headed towards the quays for the most moving moment of the day: embarking for the blessing of the boats at sea and the traditional throwing of wreaths, in tribute to the lost sailors.
For the Municipality, this celebration holds a particular importance, marking a symbolic transition in the calendar of the Var town. Therefore, François de Canson praised everyone's involvement in the success of this unifying event: "It is a moment that launches the summer season, it is the opportunity to pay tribute to those lost at sea but also to pay tribute to our priests, to pay tribute to all our sailors. Thank you to our young people from the parish who accompany the priests brilliantly. Thank you to all our elected officials who accompany us today as well as to our young people of the council municipal jeune."
The evening concluded in sharing and friendliness, around the honorary aperitif offered by the Ville, bringing together all generations of inhabitants of La Londe under the soft light of the sunset over the Miramar port.
A bit of Christian history
To understand the importance of this event, one must plunge back into Christian history. Before becoming one of the main apostles of Jesus and the first pope of Christianity, the man, originally from Galilee, was named Simon and worked as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee.
It is this humble and courageous past that made him, over the centuries, the protective patron saint of fishermen, boatmen, and people of the sea.
In La Londe-les-Maures, honoring him is an anchored tradition, a bridge thrown between faith, history, and the daily life of those who draw their livelihood from the Méditerranée or who travel across it.
Article from the paper edition of La Gazette du Var