Photo Gallery: Stonington's Annual Blessing Of The Fleet

and the Knights of Columbus - Nina Assembly 127, joined together Sunday, July 31 for church service and a french toast breakfast followed by the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Stonington Borough.

The Blessing began at the fisherman's memorial at the Stonington Town Docks where Bishop Michael R. Cote said a prayer for all fishermen lost at sea. The blessing was also a one of hope and protection for voyages in the year ahead.

The procession, lead by Bishop Michael R Cote and fleet blessing veteran Aurthur Medeiros flanked by Monseignor Richard LaRocque, Alter Server David Sutton, started at one end of the Stonington docks and blessed all anchored vessels. 

The entourage finally blessed the Neptune before boarding with two members of the Knights of Columbus, the ship's crew and a boat full of passengers—all waving goodbye while sailing out into the harbor to drop a wreath at sea in memory of lives lost.