Blessing of the Boats: An annual nautical tradition in Cuba

Father Mark Smith — pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Cuba, St. Francis Caracciolo Parish in Bourbon and St. Michael Parish in Steelville — and Deacon Richard Vice, who assists the pastor of the Cuba, Bourbon, and Steelville parishes, carry out the traditional Blessing of the Boats on May 24, the Sunday before Memorial Day, at Indian lake in Cuba. More than 100 boats were part of this year’s ceremony. The annual blessing has taken place for 38 years to call upon God’s help for a safe boating season. The first Blessing of the Boats took place in France in the 1600s for a safe journey to America.