More than 100 pack hall for novena’s last night

Tuesday evening saw the close of the Novena to St. Peter and the beginning of St. Peter’s Fiesta.

The nine days of prayers was hosted at the Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3 in downtown Gloucester. Even with more than 100 chairs lined up in hall, dozens of attendees stood or sat in any free space.

Beginning with the prayer of the rosary, generations of Italians — toddlers to elders — came together to conclude the novena.

Often discussed less than other Fiesta traditions such as the Sunday procession, the Blessing of the Fleet, or Greasy Pole, the novena has been a central part of the celebrations since the first formal St. Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester almost 100 years ago.

“I came here in 1960, and I have celebrated Fiesta every year,” Maria Constanzo said. “I celebrate the novena every year. We all have this tradition.”

With the exception of the men carrying St. Peter’s statue into the hall at the start of the novena and back to its home at the St. Peter’s Club on Rogers Street after Tuesday night’s prayers nearly all attendees were women.

“Novena was always organized by women, by fishermen’s wives,” said one mother, bringing her toddler for her first Fiesta. “A lot of Fiesta nowadays is just parties … but this prayer is what it’s all about.”

The celebration continued with singing of praise in Italian and followed by a full Mass celebrated by the Rev. Bruce Flanagan, a Gloucester native The conclusion of the Mass brought in the bearers of St. Peter, who consider themselves honored to participate in the novena and Fiesta as a whole in this way.

“It’s part of our heritage. We all had parents, grandparents who went to the Novena and we’re here carrying on the tradition that they had years and years ago … we’re going to continue it for generations to come,” one bearer said, waiting among the procession crowd to carry St. Peter out to the litter.

St. Peter was brought to his portrait at the Sanfillipo house to formally end the novena, and then to St. Peter’s Club. The short procession, the beginning of Fiesta, was accompanied by the traditional chant “Che siamo tutti mutti? (Are we all mute?) Viva San Pedro!” led by a group of children, who assisted with cheers and confetti throughout the ceremony.

Fiesta will continue with the sporting events including the first Greasy Pole and Seine Boat competitions Friday afternoon. The formal opening ceremony is Friday in St. Peter’s Square at 7:30 p.m.