Story: Catholic Church

Catholic community life: blessing the fishing boats, Island Bay (2nd of 5)

Catholic community life: blessing the fishing boats, Island Bay

Many 20th-century New Zealand Catholics were of Irish origin, but some were descended from citizens of other Catholic countries, such as Italy. A community of fishers of southern Italian origin has been based in Wellington's Island Bay since the late 19th century. This 1975 photo shows the ceremony of blessing the fishing fleet. In the foreground, Archbishop Delargey and several priests stand aboard the San Costanza. This ceremony was still performed in Island Bay in the 21st century.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Evening Post Collection (PAColl-0614)
Reference: 1/4-023067-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Rory Sweetman, 'Catholic Church - Fitting into New Zealand society', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/29299/catholic-community-life-blessing-the-fishing-boats-island-bay (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Rory Sweetman, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 17 Jul 2018