Martyrs’ Shrine Celebrates The Second Annual Blessing Of Boats & Waterways

The second annual Blessing of Boats & Waterways was hosted this past Saturday afternoon, at the town docks in Midland. The event saw 28 boats take part in the blessing.  The Martyrs’ Shrine worked closely with Parkbridge Marinas to organize the celebration in time for the beginning of the boating season.  Father Bernard Carroll, SJ of the Martyrs’ Shrine
carried out the duties of the blessing while standing upon the bow of a 65’ Linwood Huckins yacht, W.F. Morneau’s “La Belle Helene.”  The occasion was made all that much better because we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. Many of the boaters that took part in this event had looked forward to the blessing of safe voyage and return for the upcoming boating season.  This is still a fairly new occurrence in the area, but the implications of this event are historic and have had a significant impact on the community and waterways of Georgian Bay for hundreds of years.

The blessing that took place in the Midland Harbour this past Saturday was meant to commemorate the early tradition of blessing all of the fleets, boats and waterways.  The early Jesuits travelled from the east coast of Canada, down the St. Lawrence River, across the Ottawa River, through Lake Nipissing, and then across the French River before they could reach Georgian Bay.  This event helps us to continue the mission that these early voyages began.  The Martyrs’ Shrine’s continued involvement with local businesses and organizations, like Parkbridge Marinas, will be the key to the future success of these community events.