Calm seas, gentle breeze greet Connecticut bishop, faithful for 'Blessing of the Fleet'

STONINGTON, Conn. (OSV News) -- Calm seas and a gentle breeze helped to carry the Stonington fishing fleet out past Stonington Point July 27 for the Holy Cross Community's annual Blessing of the Fleet, a tradition dating back 70 years.

Aboard the lead ship Heritage, for his first Stonington blessing, was Bishop Richard F. Reidy. As the Heritage steamed out of the harbor, followed by the rest of Stonington's commercial fishing fleet, the new bishop of the Diocese of Norwich chatted with her crew and passengers before arriving at the point, where he blessed an anchor-shaped wreath.

"Oh God, who alone knows the depths of the oceans and the destiny of souls,” the bishop intoned, "We commit to your care those who have never returned from the sea. Give them pardon and peace with you, and grant that we may see them again on heaven's safe shore, where death is no more, and Jesus reigns as Lord forever and ever. Amen."

The bishop sprinkled the wreath with holy water before it was placed in the almost still waters of the outer harbor. The other boats of the fleet formed a circle that traveled around the wreath and then followed the lead boat Heritage back toward port.

According to the Stonington Fishermen and Lobstermen Association, some 38 fishermen have perished at sea through the years.

This year, Roger and Eugene Warner placed wreaths beside the memorial to deceased fishermen at the end of the town dock as the Mystic Fife and Drums played "Amazing Grace." The men are brothers of Douglas Warner, who died at sea.

"Today, we pray for our fishermen on the sea," the bishop said during his homily at the Mass before the blessing. "They benefit us with fresh, healthful food. They support their families, the markets, the restaurants, the shipwrights, and harbor masters. We owe them our gratitude, our thanks, and our prayers."

The bishop noted that daily, they face dangers, challenges, and hard work -- from the wind and the waves, the sun and the shoals, the fickleness of markets with varying prices to determine how much they get from their catch, the cost of outfitting and fueling their boats, the regulation of their catches, recruitment, and retaining crews that work together well.

"Today, we show our gratitude for our fishermen. In faith, we ask God to bless them, their vessels, and their endeavors," he said.

Accompanied by Father Dennis M. Perkins, vicar for clergy, Bishop Reidy took part in his inaugural blessing of each of the docked boats.

Moving along the town dock from vessel to vessel, the bishop was eager to chat with each boat's captain, crew and family members. Several times he climbed aboard a boat for a more up-close and intimate talk about the rigors of fishing, such as the amount of catch that each ship produces or the challenging weather the boats often sail into.

The annual blessing and wreath ceremonies were preceded by the Fishermen's Mass at 10:30 at St. Mary Church, in the borough of Stonington, and a procession through some of the streets of the village. This year's grand marshal was Joe Gilbert, who founded and runs Empire Fisheries, with four vessels based out of Stonington.

Among the marchers were state and local dignitaries, town fire, highway and ambulance departments, area music bands, dancers, families and crews of fishing vessels, schoolchildren from St. Michael School, and organizations including Our Lady of Fatima Society and the Knights of Columbus.

The statue of St. Peter, patron saint of fishermen, traveled the procession atop a trailer pulled by a truck.

The day before, July 26, the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society held a celebration with music, food and dancing. A tradition with deep Portuguese roots in Stonington, the delicious food selections included clam chowder, chourico rolls, Portuguese sweet bread and other baked goods.