Area’s shrimpers celebrate their many blessings

South Louisiana is rich in tradition. Greatest among them is our gratitude for God’s gifts.

In keeping with the Easter season, shrimpers and boaters will set sail for the many fleet blessing ceremonies across the region. Here’s a rundown of activities for boaters and sightseers alike.

Chauvin

Shrimpers will ask God for a safe and successful season at St. Joseph Catholic Church on April 18-19.

The church, located at 5232 La. Highway 56, is hosting a fishermen’s Mass on Saturday at 5 p.m. The annual Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet is on Sunday from noon to 5 pm.

Held in conjunction with the Chauvin Folk Art Festival, the church sponsors a boat-decorating contest for members of its congregation. The contest is divided into two categories: single- and double-rigged. Prizes are awarded to the top three winners.

“For the Mass, the winner of last year’s boat decorating brings up the gifts, the wine, the water and the host,” said Monsignor Frederic Brunet. “The altar is decorated with fishing nets and paraphernalia.”

Monsignor Brunet will lead the boat blessing parade from the church at Bayou Little Caillou to Boudreaux Canal. He blesses everything on the boat as well as specific items fishermen ask to have blessed.

The parade turns into Lake Boudreaux where boats in the decorating contest will anchor down.

“We have food and music; people get in their speedboats and do some water-skiing. It’s a nice day,” Brunet said.

Over the years, fewer fishermen have participated in the decorating contest, according to Brunet. He recalls when more than 100 decorated boats entered the contest. Today, that number is closer to 20.

“It’s harder and harder for fishermen to maintain that way of life,” he said.

Boat blessings date back to the church’s inception in 1948.

“The Catholic Church believes in blessings. I’m sure other churches believe in that too, but they don’t have a public boat blessing. That comes from Catholic teachings and Catholic doctrine.”

For more information, contact Monsignor Brunet at (985) 594-5859.

Golden Meadow

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church is hosting its annual Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet & Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 25, at 3 p.m.

The Rev. Ronilo A. Villamor will lead the decorated shrimp boat parade on Bayou Lafourche from the church, located at 732 North Bayou Drive. The parade runs south to the Golden Meadow corporate limits and north to West 200th Street before returning to the church.

A fishermen’s Mass takes place at 5 p.m. Afterward, a meal of grillades and dressing will be served, followed by a fais do do. Cajun band L.A. Rose will perform until 10 p.m.

The church has held this event since 1960. At one point, the boat blessing was a weekend-long celebration.

“It went up to a three-day event when the bishop said we could no longer have fairs and festivals as a means of support,” said Marie Burkett, business manager for the church. “In 1996, we went back to the one-day Family Fun Day.”

The event is free, but if someone wishes to make a donation, a box will be set up to collect offerings.

For more information, call Our Lady of Prompt Succor at (985) 475-5428.

East Houma

Holy Family Church will commence the opening of shrimp season with a boat blessing on Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m.

Sponsored by the church’s charitable organization, Holy Name Society, the 57th annual event begins with a fishermen’s Mass at 10 a.m.

“We have little mementos that we give (participants), either a St. Christopher medal and a fisherman’s prayer or whatever we buy that year,” said Virginia Verdin, the church community services director. “They keep it on their boat or on themselves when they go out fishing.”

A $6 plate luncheon follows at 11:30 a.m. It usually consists of shrimp jambalaya, shrimp balls, white beans, shrimp or chicken gumbo, salad and cake.

The parade starts at the church, located at 6641 Grand Caillou Road in Dulac. The Rev. Wilfredo Decal will lead the route, which runs from Bayou Grand Caillou to the Houma Navigation Canal before returning.

“He blesses all the boats in the bayou, whether they parade or not,” Verdin said. “And he throws a wreath in the bayou for all the fishermen who lost their lives at sea.”

For more information, contact the church rectory at (985) 475-5428.