In the interest of public safety and in an effort to minimize the impact of COVID-19 within our community, Blessing of the Fleet is cancelled.
Blessing of the Fleet is an annual event held on Palm Sunday. After Palm Sunday Mass, there is a processional through the Plaza de la Constitucion by the papal leadership of the Cathedral Basilica, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Augustine’s own Royal Family.
The processional concludes on the waterfront at the fuel dock of the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. The Bishop stands on a raised platform, sprinkling holy water on any vessel that makes its way past the dock in a procession of boats.
This festive event is steeped in tradition. Its’ roots go back when St. Augustine’s harbor was filled with fleets of commercial trawlers and the hopes of those who went to sea for a bountiful shrimp season. The tradition continues today as those who fish, commercially and for sport, seek blessings on their vessels for an abundant catch and for all those who take to the waterways who seek safety upon the water and a safe return home.
