Provincetown's Blessing

The Blessing of the Fleet - a cherished Provincetown tradition since 1948 -  involves the anointing of each vessel with holy water before a Catholic cardinal. This short documentary visits the way a community honors its shared history.

What is a Blessing of the Fleet?

28 June  2024 - PROVINCETOWN, MA - The Blessing of the Fleet is a cherished tradition originating from Portugal centuries ago, now observed in coastal communities worldwide. During this ceremony, a Catholic Cardinal anoints each boat with holy water and offers a prayer for safety and prosperity in the coming season. This ritual holds significance due to the perilous nature of the fishing industry, known for the unpredictability of the sea and the highs and lows of the resource within it.

What is Provincetown's Blessing of the Fleet?

In Provincetown, Massachusetts, at the tip of Cape Cod, the Blessing of the Fleet has been an annual event since 1948. Historically reliant on fishing as its main industry, Provincetown has faced numerous challenges over time, including depleted fish stocks, gentrification, and stringent regulations. These factors have significantly reduced the town's fishing fleet, once a cornerstone of its economy to near endangered levels.

For a town holding on to its Portuguese heritage by a thread, the Blessing brings together those who still live on the Cape with those who have moved away in a poignant time of connection and remembered history.



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