Torchlight procession, square bowling tournament, sea trip, the 76th great pardon of Saint-Pierre is being prepared

Le grand pardon de la Saint-Pierre revient. La procession au flambeaux se déroule vendredi à partir de 21 h 45. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

The Feast of Saint-Pierre 2024 begins this Thursday, July 4 in Sète, until Sunday, July 7. Ask for the program. 

The Sète-Môle Fishermen’s Association is preparing for the 76th Great Pardon of Saint-Pierre. Much more than a tradition for fishermen and Sétois, a religious fervor for those who renew the protection of their patron saint this weekend. While the trawler fleet is doing poorly and prefectural or budgetary restrictions are forcing a reduction in size, this celebration remains precious for fishermen and seafarers, like a heart-warming reunion. It is also about pride in a profession and its history, as Francis le Bail, the tireless president of the APSM, defends every year.

Torchlight procession

The festivities will begin on Thursday July 4 with the very colorful funfair set up on the Licciardi and La Consigne quays, then the youth tournaments on trolleys (6 p.m.) and the "Licciardi Family" around 8 p.m. After the opening speech at the auction, the first highlight of the 76th edition will start around 9:45 p.m. Friday July 5: the impressive torchlight procession which will drive the statue of Saint-Pierre, mounted on a prud’homie boat, from the chapel of the penitents towards the Décanale, to the rhythm of the waves reproduced by the six hand-picked porters. After a magnificent entry into the church, it is time for the blessing pronounced by Monsignor Norbert Turini, supported by the priest Gérard Frioux and Father Razafimahatratra. The public who will be lucky enough to find a seat in the church will be able to attend a large, high-end musical show, “All in songs”, performed by opera singers Jean-Michel Balester, Mathieu Sempere, accompanied by trumpeter Richard Gardet.

Effervescence for two concerts

The second unmissable of Saint-Pierre will take center stage in the streets of the Haut district from 8:30 a.m., for the famous square bowls tournament (the 6th) that the whole country envies. Depending on the year, it brings together between 250 and 300 registrants. At 2 p.m., the show moves to the royal setting for the regional senior jousting tournament and the friendship challenge "Joseph and Raphaël family Nocca&quot ;. Around 9 p.m., the group Effervescente will appear on stage for a concert in the fish market parking lot.

Three tuna boats and two trawlers for the sea trip

The weekend will end in emotion, Sunday July 7. After the high mass given from 9:15 a.m. to at the Décanale, the religious procession will set off with music towards the auction for the departure of the great sea walk in homage to the deceased, like Jean Licciardi, son of one of the founders of Saint-Pierre< em>. "This year, we will have three tuna boats, two trawlers which will be reserved for the relatives of the missing. We rented sightseeing boats to take the officials on board", indicates Francis le Bail. The statue of Saint-Pierre will return to the ground around 12:30 p.m., to reach the Chapel of the Penitents. The public is invited to conclude the celebrations around 9 p.m. with the Effervescence concert at the fish auction.

The complete program on the Facebook page of the Sète-Môle Fishermen’s Association.