Boating season starts with
Blessing of the Boats
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 23, 2006
Detroit – Mary Lynne and Brian Hunter have had their house blessed, so when they heard their parish was organizing a Blessing of the Boats, they decided to bring their 26-foot powerboat.
The blessing was held by St. Hubert Parish in Harrison Township at nearby Metro Beach Metropark, on Lake St. Clair, June 10. “It was a new experience,” said Mary Lynne Hunter. “It was a really nice experience.”
|
Fr. Jim Profota, pastor of St. Hubert Parish in Harrison Township, blesses boats of all shapes and sizes at Metro Beach Metropark earlier this month. | It was the first time Fr. Jim Profota, who’s been at St. Hubert for about a year, has performed such a blessing. He used the Catholic Church’s traditional Blessing of the Fleet as a base for his blessing, although he made it reflect that the boats blessed were for personal use, not for the fishing industry or the navy, as the Blessing of the Fleet traditionally was.
“It was enjoyable,” he said. “I hope to do it every year.”
Among the things he asked for were protection from storms and winds.
Fr. Profota said there are various prayers in the Catholic Church for means of transportation, such as highways and bridges. “There’s a blessing for everything in the Church,” he said.
Blessing boats is one way of helping ensure the safety of people coming together to see one another, he said. “Whatever brings people together is good,” he said.
Mary Lynne Hunter agreed that the blessing not only brought people together by means of their boats, but coming out for the blessing, too. “It gives you a sense of community,” she said.
 Blessing of the Fleet• Centuries ago in Southern Europe, most likely in fishing communities, boats would be blessed for the safety of the crew and for a productive season.
• The prayers involved reference how Jesus calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee and brought his disciples to safety.
• The blessing calls for prayers not only “in the face of wind and rain,” but also in calm waters. Participants also pray for respect for the Earth’s resource and remembrance of those who died at sea. | She has lived on the water since high school, and her husband likes to fish. Not only were they pleased with the blessing of their boat, but Mary Lynne Hunter appreciated how accommodating Metro Beach Metropark was.
James Pershing, park superintendent, said it was the first time a Blessing of the Boats had been held at the Metropark. As other religious functions take place at the park, he said he didn’t see any reason why the park couldn’t host this, as well.
He said he would be open to having the blessing at the park again next year.
Not only do the Hunters plan on having their boat blessed again next year, but Mary Lynne Hunter wants to get involved beforehand to help promote the event. She wants to get a bigger turnout so it’s a “bigger and better affair next year,” she said.
|
