Blessing History
by Edmond Boudreaux
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by Edmond Boudreaux
Priests Bless Shrimp Fleet
The Daily Herald
August 12, 1929
Page
1 & 8
Impressive ceremonies held at St.
Michael’s and St. John’s Church yesterday morning
Copied by Edmond Boudreaux
For
the first time in more than two centuries, Holy Mass was
celebrated on the shores of North Biloxi yesterday morning in
special ceremonies asking the blessings of Divine Providence on
the fishing fleet of Biloxi which will start out in its search
of the Gulf Waters for shrimp Thursday morning, while at the
same time like ceremonies were held at St. Michael’s Church at
Point Cadet. All the solemn dignity and splendor of the rituals
of the Catholic Church were carried out in these ceremonies, as
Father P. J. Carey, pastor of St. John’s Catholic Church and the
Sacred Heart Church, said mass.
It
was an impressive scene, this historic spot where d’Iberville
first landed and planted a cross, claiming the vast Louisiana
territory for the King of France, as the hundreds of fishermen
and others gathered to pray for a successful season.
While
hundreds gathered along the shore-line the fishermen and their
families attended the mass aboard their boats of all sizes and
descriptions, the smaller of which came through the strait and
moored in front of the specially constructed altar near the
boulder and cross which marks the “landing place of Le Moyne
d’Iberville. The larger vessels anchored on the outside of the
narrow island in front of the place.
Special music by the combined choirs of St. John’s and Sacred
Heart churches, “Ave Maria” sung by William J. Giblin and duet,
“Ave Maria Stella,” sung by Mr. Giblin and Dr. Seymour of the
Veterans Hospital gave the beautiful scene inspiring melody and
harmony.
After
Mass Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was held; which was
followed by the blessing of each boat.
Over
the scene stood the huge white cross a replica of the one
planted by d’Iberville, which is in the same spot as was the
original. The
simplicity of this emblem and its serene dignity stood out over
the entire surroundings.
A
regrettable accident occurred almost at the closing of the
ceremonies as the blessing was being given each craft when
Father P.J. Carey slipped and fell as he started to cross from
one boat to another. He struck the side of the boat, dislocating
his shoulder. He was taken to the Biloxi Hospital where his
injuries received attention. This did not halt the ceremonies
and Father P.J. Quinn, his assistant completed the work.
At
St. Michael’s Church, Point Cadet, hundreds gathered to worship
in the open air services to as God’s blessing on the fishing
fleet of the city during the approaching shrimp season.
An
altar was erected at the head of one of the piers and the choir
was on a boat adjacent to the pier. The church organ also had
been moved to the scene and was played by Miss Marguerite Wink,
while Judge J. B. Wink and George Dubaz played the violin for
the occasion.
Hundreds of small and large fishing boats were anchored together
here to await the blessing of the good priest, Father Hillebrand
of St. Michael’s Church, who has been doing a splendid work at
the Point.
Father McDonnell, mission priest who has been conducting a
meeting at St. Michael’s Church preached the sermon. These
humble fisherman, who make their living from the fishes of the
sea, as the apostles of years gone by, heard Father McDonnell
deliver a splendid sermon, asking God’s protection over their
fleet during the fishing season and that the fishes may multiply
so they can make a living.
Father Hillebrand then proceeded to bless the vessels, which
were gaily decorated with flags of all nations and paper
streamers.
The
members of the congregation were deeply touched by the
impressive ceremony, which was carried out under the canopy of
the heavens.
The
shrimp season opens Wednesday and concludes December 15, the
closed season remains until February 15, when the law again
permits the catching of shrimp until June 15. The two closed
season allow the shrimp to spawn and grow. The shipments of
canned shrimp from Biloxi reach 175,000 cases a year and
hundreds of vessels are engaged in the fishing industry.
The
new department of the Chamber of Commerce took pictures of both
events and made arrangements for the bringing a Metro-Goldwyn
Meyer News cameraman to Biloxi, John Pierce Muller.
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