Ceremony of Blessing of Boats
The blessing of boats is a very important event in many coastal villages and towns. This short ceremony can be adjusted to suit your locality and needs.
Opening Prayer
Presider: Lord of all creation, present with us today,
we gather to bless these boats and all those who sail in them.
Protect us always and bring them safely home.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
Scripture Reading: A reading from the book of Genesis Gen 1:28,31a
God blessed them, saying to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living animals on the earth.” God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: How wonderful your name in all your creation. Ps 8
O Lord, our God, how glorious is your name all over the earth!
You have exalted your majesty above the heavens. R.
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands,
the moon and the stars you have set in place.
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
mortal man that you should care for him? R.
Yet, you have made us little less than a god,
with glory and honour you’ve crowned him,
given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet. R.
All of them, sheep and cattle,
Yes, even the beasts of the field.
The birds of the air, the fish of the sea,
And whatever swims the paths of the seas. R.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Follow me and I will make you fishers of men, says the Lord.
Alleluia.
Gospel: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Matt 4:18-20
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Prayer of the Faithful
Priest: God our Father, hear the prayers we bring before you today,
united as a Christian community.
1. For the members of our community who earn a living from the sea. Lord hear us
2. For all who draw pleasure from the beauty of the sea.
Lord hear us
3. For those throughout the world who have lost their lives at sea and especially those from our locality.
Lord hear us
4. For all people, that we may always treat the sea and our environment with the respect they deserve.
Lord hear us
5. For our own prayers and intercessions …..(pause)…..Lord hear us
Priest: God our Father, we ask you to hear us.
Grant all our prayers if they be in accordance with your will.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Blessing
God of Love,
at the beginning of time, your Spirit hovered over the deep,
and from these oceans you brought forth life.
May your Spirit continue to be with us and with all who sail on your seas.
Throughout the ages and still today, you nourish your people with food from the sea. We ask your blessing on these boats and on all who will work and travel in them.
Protect them from dangers of wind and rain, and all the perils of the deep.
May Jesus, who calmed the storm and filled the nets of his disciples
protect these boats and lead them always to the safety of the harbour.
May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit come upon these boats and on all who use them. Amen.
Sprinkling of Boats
Depending on the number of boats in the harbour, all (if possible) are now sprinkled with holy water. As the blessing of the boats is a very tangible expression of prayer, it is important that the movement around the boats is not minimised. Even if it takes some time it is of value to walk around the harbour to bless as many boats as possible.
Concluding Prayer
Presider: God our Father, we thank you for your presence with us.
Look kindly on your people who ask your assistance.
May all who rely on the sea for their livelihood remain in your care.
Grant them your protection
and when they journey across the water always lead them safely home.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Final Blessing
Presider: May God the almighty Father look kindly upon you.
All: Amen.
Presider: May Jesus Christ his Son fill you with his love.
All: Amen.
Presider: May the Holy Spirit hover over you and grant you protection today and always. All: Amen.
Presider: And may almighty God bless + you all, the Father,
and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Refreshments served locally would allow all to continue the celebration in a warm expression of community spirit.
Frances Rowland – Diocese of Kerry