On August 15, with thousands in attendance, Bishop Dennis Sullivan will celebrate one of the largest annual Masses in South Jersey, which will culminate with a procession to the ocean as he and Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian are rowed into the Atlantic to pray for a continued strong relationship between the ocean and the city.
The noon Mass and blessing ceremony are the highlight of a three-day event commemorating the passage of the Virgin Mary into heaven, and the bond between the shore community and the Atlantic Ocean.
The “Wedding of the Sea” is a popular, centuries-old rite in many European seacoast cities and towns. According to legend, in 1445 the Bishop of Cervia, Paul Barbo, who later became Pope Paul II, was returning to Venice on the feast of the Assumption, when the ship got caught in a storm. The bishop was able to calm the storm by praying and throwing his pastoral ring into the sea.
Following the noon Mass at Boardwalk Hall (Boardwalk and Mississippi), Bishop Sullivan will join Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and the city’s faithful in the procession to the Atlantic Ocean, where a ceremonial wreath will be tossed in its waters, asking God for blessings upon the sea and citizens.
That same day, from 12:30- 6 p.m., a festival will be held in the Saint Michael parking lot (10 N. Mississippi Ave.), with restaurant vendors, live music, children’s games, face painting, a balloon artist and more.
Atlantic City’s Wedding of the Sea festivities also include a 4 p.m. Marian concert at Saint Michael Church (10 N. Mississippi Ave.) on Sunday, Aug. 14, followed by a 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass of the Assumption, and 5:30 p.m. multicultural dinner in Quaremba Hall.
On Tuesday, Aug. 16, a service for Veterans will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church (1409 Pacific Ave). Afterward, there will be an optional tour of the church, and free lunch for veterans.
For more information on Wedding of the Sea in Atlantic City, visit www.weddingofthesea.org, or call the Parish of Saint Monica at 609-345-1878.
Other faith communities in the Diocese of Camden are hosting Wedding of the Sea celebrations, as well.
In Wildwood on Sunday, August 14, Bishop Sullivan will also celebrate a 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass for the feast day at Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Saint Ann Church (2901 Atlantic Ave.) and lead a procession to the beach immediately following. For more information contact the parish at (609) 522-2709.
Saint Brendan the Navigator Parish, Avalon will celebrate a 10:30 a.m. Mass on Monday, Aug. 15, at the Church of Saint Paul, 9910 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, followed by a procession to the beach. For more information contact the parish at (609) 967-3746.