Blessing of the Fleet is an annual Palm Sunday event, this year occurring on March 24, 2024.   After the 11:00am Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica, there is a processional through the Plaza de la Constitucion.  It is led by the papal leadership of the Cathedral Basilica, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Augustine’s own Royal Family.

The processional concludes on the waterfront at the fuel dock of the St. Augustine Municipal Marina.  Beginning at 12:00pm, the Bishop stands on a raised platform, sprinkling holy water on any vessel that makes its’ way past the dock in a procession of boats.  Commercial craft as well as personal vessels participate.

Steeped in tradition, the events roots go back to when St. Augustine’s harbor was filled with fleets of commercial trawlers and the hopes of those who went to sea for a bountiful shrimp season.