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.