On Sunday, October 18th, Brother Martin Cadets helped honored Seafarers at the annual Maritime Mass at St. Louis Cathedral. The Stella Maris Maritime Ministries hosted the event to honor those who live and work on the sea. Members of the Coast Guard, New Orleans Port Authorities, Norwegian Seaman’s Church, Global Maritime Ministries, and other civic organizations sat alongside the NJROTC Cadets while Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes led the Mass to a full cathedral on Sunday morning.
After Mass, the Color Guard (Cadet Ensign Jacob Detiege ‘17, Cadet Chief Petty Officer Scott Johnston ‘18, Cadet Petty Officer First Class Stephen Rayle ‘18, and Cadet Seaman Apprentice Justin Ducoté ‘19) led a processions through Jackson Square to the Mississippi River. Archbishop Hughes, along with VIPs from each organization, blessed wreaths “in grateful memory of those who have sailed the rivers and oceans of the world, and who have labored here in this port.” Cadet Lieutenant Nicholas Brondum ‘16 and Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer David Marin ‘16 formed an honor guard at the edge of the river while Cadets William Baillie ‘19, Joshua Collins ‘19, Justin Conrad ‘19 and Keelan Didier ‘19 escorted the VIPs. Each organizational wreath was escorted from the top of the boardwalk to the river below, where it was cast to sea to honor the seafarers.
Then, Archbishop Hughes concluded with a final prayer as the bagpiper played “Amazing Grace.” Brother Martin Band member Ryan O’Rourke ‘17 ended the ceremony with a heartfelt rendition of “Taps” while the Color Guard, Cadets, and the crowd saluted to honor those who work diligently on the Mississippi River and the waters of the world.
