Even the feast for the patron saint of Pescara, San Cetteo, returns to normal after the restrictions due to the pandemic. The religious and civil program of the events organized from 2 to 4 July was presented this morning in the Municipality. It begins with masses in the cathedral on Saturday 2 July while at 5 pm the rite of the procession will take place which will travel along a stretch of the Pescara river with the statue of the Saint on board a boat, all with the musical accompaniment of the Grand Band Concert “Città of Chieti “. Upon returning to the Cathedral, the Pontifical will be held with the Archbishop of Pescara Monsignor Tommaso Valentinetti.
Also present at the presentation conference were the Abbot of Pescara Monsignor Francesco Santuccione, the President of the Municipal Council Marcello Antonelli, the Councilor for Sport of the Municipality of Pescara Patrizia Martelli and the managers of the Porto Antico Nautical Club Pino Di Persio and Alessio Di Muzio, respectively. president and vice president. Santuccione recalled how after two years of hiatus the party returns both on a religious and popular level, for a moment of spirituality, fraternity and sharing:
“San Cetteo was a peacemaker and I turn to him to help us in praying for the end of this tragedy of war, which affects women and children. This is my appeal from Pescara, which is a sea port, facing the ‘East so that hearts may soften and leave room for peace, fraternity and joy. It is the grace that I ask the Lord, this is the best feast of San Cetteo we can do. ” President Antonelli added:
“Tomorrow’s procession on the river really represents the return to normality after two years of pandemic. We return this year with not only civil participation by the administration, but I want to emphasize the importance of the presence of the faithful because the Patron’s Day is the feast of the whole city. We honor San Cetteo during the year in two moments as we know, because on 10 October there is, among other things, the delivery of the honors of the Ciattè d’Oro and the Delfino D’Oro which they are a very significant representation of the bond that exists with the Saint. So after the Feast we will already project ourselves towards that event. “
On Sunday 3 to 10 will take place the “Regata di San Cetteo”, Memorial Emanuele Di Persio, with boats “Gozzo Nazionale”, organized by the Circolo Nautico Porto Antico Pescara asd. 10 crews are registered, 5 female and 5 male from Ortona (Lega Navale) and Molfetta (Rowers Molfetta) as well as those from the Porto Antico Pescara ASD Nautical Club. Each crew consists of 4 rowers plus the helmsman, for a total of 50 participants.
For the first time an ancient rowing tradition returns to the waters of the Pescara river. In fact, until the first war, on the occasion of the Feast of San Cetteo, numerous water games were organized on the Pescara river, including the “challenge of the boats”. The Gozzi Nazionali are regulation boats of the Italian Rowing Federation with a fixed seat. Before the regatta will be held the ceremony of the blessing of the oar.
Councilor Martelli recalled that in addition to the feast of San Cetteo, the regatta also returns, to remember Emanuele Di Persio, a young man who died at the age of 28. Emanuele, a young coach from Porto Antico Pescara, had taken the first part of the Ficsf coaching course and was waiting to receive the patent. Pino Di Persio recalled that it is the third edition of this procession:
“I remember that when we proposed this idea of a procession on the river to Don Francesco Santuccione he was immediately enthusiastic, as he still is today. I also thank the archbishop of Pescara-Penne Tommaso Valentinetti for having immediately embraced our initiative. this opportunity of the regatta is added, which also revives that all-Pescara tradition that was marked by the rivalry between the north and south navies. members of the Ficsf (Italian Federation of Fixed Seat Rowing). With the support of the Municipality and the Province of Pescara and the Abruzzo Region this project has become a reality. National championship.
The regatta program includes: 09.00 team accreditation; 09.30 boat control and board of directors; 10.00 start of the race; 12.00 awards ceremony.
The celebrations in honor of the patron saint San Cetteo also include musical performances, all free, every evening at 9 pm in the square of the Porta Nuova station: on Saturday 2 ‘Nduccio protagonist with the Export Medley in Italy Orchestra; Sunday 3 July will be the turn of the Second Opera – Pooh tribute band.
