Parishioners, sailors, tourists… Hundreds of people attended the forgiveness of the sea organized in Saint-Malo, ceremony in memory of all the missing sailors. After two years of absence linked to the health crisis, this religious tradition was again celebrated this Sunday in the Saint-Servant district.
Memories of former Newfoundlands
Catherine, she came from Paramé to attend the mass of forgiveness for the sailors at the foot of the remains of the Saint-Pierre d’Aleth cathedral : “I had to walk for an hour but I didn’t want to miss it because I go to mass every Sunday and there I found it to be a very pleasant and very important occasion.” All the more important in Saint-Malo, from where the sailors left for long months to fish for cod in the North Atlantic, sometimes risking their lives.
Former Newfoundlander, Yvon remembers. “When it was minus thirty it was not easyit depended on the storms, he says. I capsized with my boat once, I stayed three quarters of an hour under water and when the firefighters arrived I was in hypothermia. Fortunately, he got away with it.
– Elsa Vande Wiele
Procession and blessing of boats
VSIt is in particular to pay tribute to the sailors who are no longer there that Joël Lablanche, one of the organizers, wanted to restore this tradition in Saint-Servant in 2018: “I wanted a pardon from the ecumenical sea that is addressed as much to atheists, as to agnostics, as to all religions.”
After the mass, the procession to the hold of the Solidor Tower. On the side, of many tourists immortalize the event with their camera and camera. Sébastien is moved: “I have been sailing for a very long time so that speaks to me.” The Scottish bell ringer boards the SNSM launch with the Bishop for the blessing of the ships.
“That’s wonderful”, breathes Micheline, a resident of the neighborhood. Eyes that sparkle as they watch the boats go away.