In true coastal fashion, the citizens of St. Augustine welcomed yet another bountiful and safe boating season at the Blessing of the Fleet Sunday afternoon.
The Blessing of the Fleet combines two integral elements of St. Augustine’s culture: its Spanish influence and its maritime culture. The custom dates back to St. Augustine’s colonial days: in Mediterranean Catholic tradition, a blessing from the priest ensured a safe and bountiful season for all vessels.
More:City willing to reconsider application for St. Augustine youth sailing center
More:Possible WWII-era plane washes up on St. Johns County beach
St. Augustine is far from being the only city that celebrates it: The Catholic tradition stretches along the eastern seaboard and even Australia and Puerto Rico, reflecting European immigrants’ desire to bring religious tradition with them as they relocated.
Fittingly falling on Palm Sunday, the event began as noon Mass closed. Bishop Felipe J. Estevez, accompanied by junior members of the clergy, made the parade procession from the Cathedral Basilica to St. Augustine’s Municipal Marina. Behind them followed the royal family and the Knights of Columbus’ St. Augustine chapter, all in traditional gowns and dress.
Even with many St. Augustinians following the parade at its side, many more awaited Estevez’s arrival at the end of the first dock. With Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” fanfare playing at the podium site as the bishop took his place, the event seemed to bring the city back in time.
Estevez was appointed in St. Augustine in 2011, and in his 10th year here, interactions with the crowd demonstrated mutual affection between the community and the church.
“We love you, Bishop!” enthusiastic attendees exclaimed as they passed by in a charter boat.
“We love you, too,” the bishop responded, sprinkling water on the vessel from his aspergillum.
From speedboats to grandiose yachts, boats of all kinds circled around the dock for the next hour to receive the blessing.
Aside from the church’s involvement, the event was hosted by the Saint Augustine Yacht Club as it is every year. Along with the Regatta of Lights in the winter, also hosted by the SAYC, the Blessing of the Fleet is one of the only events that bring St. Augustine’s boaters together on such a large scale. With both events canceled in 2020, the Blessing simultaneously opened boating season and signified a new hopefulness in the community after COVID-19 devastation.
“This is like boating New Year for us,” said Justin Muller, the commodore of the Saint Augustine Yacht Club. “After last year, everyone was really looking forward to it.”
The SYAC estimated participation of over 100 vessels, Muller said. With such a number, the club coordinated with local law enforcement to ensure safety and organization for all boaters and attendees.
“It’s a great event for us, we all get together and catch up with people while we keep them safe,” said Lt. William Miller of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Law enforcement boats from the Coast Guard, the local police and the fire department circled dock areas prior to the event to direct boat traffic and ensure all vessels were in place prior to the bishop’s arrival.
Most remarkable at the Blessing was its ability to unify St. Augustinians of all beliefs. Andrea Lawrence, an attendee who moved to St. Augustine in 2019, said that her first experience at the Blessing has helped her to learn more about the city’s religious ties.
“I’m Baptist, so I didn’t know anything about the holy water,” Lawrence said. “It’s been interesting, it’s been a learning experience.”
After witnessing the Blessing for the first time, Lawrence says that she and her husband hope to have their own boat to participate in 2022.
Credit: Source link