by Currents News
Imagine a fisherman at the time of Jesus on the Sea of Galilea; he would use the Nassa, an ancient fishing technique that uses a structure that’s submerged into the water with a small trap.
Believe it or not, there’s one at the Vatican. But what is this massive net doing on the door to Saint Peter’s Basilica?
Stefano Giampaolo, the Head of the Vatican Gardening Service, says, “It’s a decoration set up for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The “Nassa del Pescatore” is, in fact, a fish trap- a traditional fishing tool that was used in the past and is still used today- and it serves as a reminder of Saint Peter, who was, after all, a fisherman.”
The Nassa is installed every year the day before the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, on July 29th. The Vatican Garden team is in charge of its construction and placement.
“It’s a very ancient tradition,” Giampaolo says, “dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, so we’ve been carrying it on for quite some time. It has this slightly egg-shaped form and is made with an iron frame that we’ve been using for centuries, you could say. It’ s very, very old, and it’s covered with aromatic plants, specifically myrtle, the Taranto variety, which covers the entire frame. Then there are these garlands, which are adorned with the plants instead of bay leaves.”
A net that could easily be ignored, but symbolizes so much more: a return to the roots of Catholicism through the first pope, Saint Peter.