Blessing of the Fleet in Portland

The Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes will hold the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Maine State Pier on Sunday, June 30.

All sailors and boaters are invited to steer by the pier, located at the intersection of Commercial Street and Franklin Street on Portland's waterfront, to have their vessel blessed. Water taxis, lobster boats, trawlers, recreational yachts, and other craft are all welcome. You do not need to be Catholic to participate. Vessels will begin assembling at 2 p.m. in front of the pier, and folks are invited to gather on the pier to watch. This is a family-friendly event.

The blessing is a tradition that is celebrated in many maritime communities throughout the world and asks the Lord to bless all recreational boats and current mariners and their vessels at the start of the summer season.