Fishing boats in Stonington’s fleet headed out toward the harbor’s breakwater on Sunday, July 28, so the fishermen and their familes could complete a tradition that they have observed for decades.
The Blessing of the Fleet remembers local fishermen who have died at sea and honors the vessels -- along with their captains, owners, crews, and families -- that will go out to sea in the year ahead.
The blessing is the culmination of a weekend of events surrounding it in Stonington Borough. There was a 5K race and walk on Friday in the Borough, followed by a gathering with food and music Saturday at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society.
The Fishermen’s Mass took place Sunday morning in St. Mary Church in the Borough. The Very Reverend Dennis Perkins read aloud the names of the 41 members of the Stonington Fishermen Association who died while doing their jobs. He asked for the intercession of St. Peter, patron saint of fishermen.
Following the Mass, Fr. Perkins, along with local and state officials, joined the families of fishermen at the fishermen’s memorial, at the end of the pier that is home base to the fleet.
Fr. Perkins said a prayer for the safety of the fishermen and the important but often dangerous work that they do on the water. Grand Marshal Walter Roderick laid wreaths at the fishermen’s memorial. The Mystic Highland Pipe Band was on hand to play “Amazing Grace” and the Westerly Band played the national anthem.
After the ceremony, Father Perkins walked the docks blessing each fishing boat with holy water. Then, he joined some of the fishermen and their families on the fishing vessel Heritage, which steamed out past the breakwater. Other boats from the fleet followed in procession.
There, Grand Marshal Roderick cast a wreath in the shape of a broken anchor, commemorating the deceased local fishermen, into the water.
By Ryan Blessing