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The first cent taken in at a Venetian ferry is for the oil of the Virgin's lamp. Photo by Gribayedoff.

Since its construction in 1687 gondoliers have traditionally had their oars blessed at the Church of Santa Maria Della Salute, across the Grand Canal from St. Mark's Square. However, their patron saint is Santa Lucia of the Gondoliers whose remains resided in Venice for 800 years. In 2004, after a bitter custody dispute, she was returned to her home town of Syracuse, Sicily.

Source:
Outing magazine, vol. LI no. 6, March, 1908, p. 655.

Vance Thompson's Cab Drivers / 50

The Gondolier of Venice / 11

"Where is the baby?" I asked.

"On the way, and these women want to follow. My sister-in-law and her friends! 'Tis the baby from the floor above," said Giuseppe, "and its name is Maria. Every child in Venice is baptized either John or Mary, because the Church has discovered that these names keep off the witches." (Giuseppe crossed himself against the witches.) "Of course," he added, "you may have other names, but John or Mary you must be, unless indeed you be a Jew or a heretic."

This Mary was the daughter of a gondolier. My first and last glimpse of her was at the church of the Giesuetti, as she was carried to the alter. A small object she was, swaddled in white linen, covered with silver charms and medals – for in Venice the witches are very potent with the unbaptized. She lay in a shallow dish and was covered over with a square glass case hung with blue silk curtains, so that she reminded one of something good to eat being carried to a feast. The father and mother are of incidental importance at the baptism. The chief figures are the godfather and godmother. They assume the responsibility of the little one's journey through the world and – no slight cost – pay the heavy expenses of the ceremony and the subsequent feasting. Toward this especial Mary's dowry I helped a trifle myself, but Giuseppe and I did not go to the home with them for the feast. In sterner company we were to celebrate the victory of the Castellani at supper. And that we did.