Bishop Sullivan will celebrate a Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary followed by Wedding of the Sea:
Wednesday, August 14
5:30 p.m.
St. Ann Church (Notre Dame De La Mer Parish)
Atlantic Avenue between Glenwood and Magnolia
Wildwood
Followed by Procession and Blessing of the Sea
In addition, Bishop Sullivan will celebrate Mass on the Holy Day followed by Wedding of the Sea:
The procession of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessing of the Sea and the tossing of the ceremonial wreath will follow the Mass.
Annually, the Mass and Wedding of the Sea celebrations, held in conjunction with the Feast of the Assumption celebrated on August 15, attracts more than 5,000 people in Southern New Jersey.
For centuries, the Wedding of the Sea and similar festivals have been popular in Europe at cities and towns on the seacoast. Tradition holds that the custom originated in Venice, Italy, centuries ago when an archbishop, at sea during a storm, threw his ring into the water while praying.
The dogma of the Assumption states that the Virgin Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven, after the completion of her earthly life, since by reason of her Immaculate Conception she should not suffer the consequences of original sin. While the Assumption was infallibly declared a doctrine of the Faith by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, it has a history dating back to at least the seventh century when its celebration was already established at Jerusalem and Rome. Catholics are obliged by Church law to participate in the Mass of this Holy Day or the Mass of the evening preceding.