Blessing Of The Fleet - Sydney Fish Market

Sydney Fish Market is celebrating the annual Blessing of the Fleet festivities on Sunday 23rd September. Visitors are invited to join Sydney’s incredible fishing community to celebrate this colourful event.

Predominantly a Catholic tradition originating in the Mediterranean, The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony blesses fishing vessels and their crew to ensure a plentiful fishing season and a safe voyage home. As the local fishing fleet has strong Italian origins, the event holds a cultural significance for both the Italian and Sydney fishing communities.

The focal point of the event is the procession of the Madonna – a replica statue of the Santa Maria Di Porto Salvo, the guardian of Safe Ports or Safe Harbour, that was commissioned by the Association Bagnara Calabra. The statue is taken on a colourful procession around the site before returning to the market wharf for the blessings to begin. This year the event will…