Deep South Catholicism - Archbishop Rodi of Mobile Blesses the Fishing Fleet In Bayou La Batre Alabama

 The 64th annual Blessing of the Fleet is held Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Bayou La Batre, Ala. Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi and other clergy lowered a wreath into the bayou as a remembrance to those lost at sea, then continued down the bayou as they blessed the parading vessels and those docked along the parade route (Mike Brantley/mbrantley@al.com)

It is that time of the year in the South where we do the Blessings of the Shrimp and Fishing  Fleets. So it's apt that one of today we look at the historic Archdiocese of Mobile where the arrival of Catholicism in the region traces its origins to the early Spanish and French explorations and permanent settlements at Pensacola, Florida in 1696, and in Mobile in 1702 .

The Mobile newspaper has a nice write up and a vid  here at  Blessing in the Bayou: Archbishop Thomas Rodi delivers annual blessing of boats in Bayou La Batre. 

As the article note many fishermen see this as a MUST DO .

There is also a nice photo gallery here.