Work at sea is affected by unpredictable matters, often unrelated to sailors' and fishermens' skills and good will. And only supernatural powers can control the unpredictable.
Seamen's faith and superstition have always been proverbial, and to entrust a boat to divine protection was the only possible insurance against danger and misfortune. Naming a boat after an onomastic Saint, or a sacred image, meant to identify her with it, calling the Saint to share her fate, while renouncing a part of the owner's pride.
Seamen's faith and superstition have always been proverbial, and to entrust a boat to divine protection was the only possible insurance against danger and misfortune. Naming a boat after an onomastic Saint, or a sacred image, meant to identify her with it, calling the Saint to share her fate, while renouncing a part of the owner's pride.
The very existence of the hamlet of Meta was due to the presence of the "Lady of the Laurel", a statue worshipped as the seafarers' protectress. Dozens of votive offers from returning seamen attest the importance of the cult for local people, and even the main church, originally dedicated to "the Savior", is known as the church of the Lady of the Laurel.
Antonio Cafiero's fishing "gozzo" was named after her, too, like many other boats, and the replica that Michele will build will respect the tradition and bear the original name.
She will be named "S. Maria del Lauro".
Antonio Cafiero's fishing "gozzo" was named after her, too, like many other boats, and the replica that Michele will build will respect the tradition and bear the original name.
She will be named "S. Maria del Lauro".
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