A statue of the Blessed Mother is carried to the sea as part of the “Wedding of the Sea” celebration at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish.
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has always been a day for special blessings. The feast takes place at the highest point of summer when all the crops and fruit trees are filled with the best of the season. Just as the summer harvest is ripe and ready to be picked, the church has recognized in Our Lady’s entry into heaven a symbol of God gathering His people to Himself. St. Paul tells us:
“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 20-23)
Based on this imagery, it became a custom in the Middle Ages for the countryside to be blessed on Assumption day. Priests would process through mountains, meadows, fields, orchards, farmland, and home gardens giving a benediction to all of nature as they passed. In fishing villages, the seas, oceans, and rivers were also blessed to ask Our Lady for protection against the storms and to implore her intercession for a successful fishing season.
This tradition was brought to the new world and Catholics in many seacoast towns continued what came to be called the “Wedding of the Sea.” Many Catholics along the East Coast continue to carry on this tradition even today. Parishes along the Jersey shore organize a procession and blessing on the vigil of the Assumption or on the feast day itself. Parishioners process from the local church to the nearest beach singing, praying the rosary, and carrying banners and bottles of water (to take home some of the blessed ocean water). A wonderful sight is to notice vacationers and curious onlookers joining in the procession and taking part in some way in this centuries-old tradition. This is truly a “wedding” of the sacred and the secular, of heaven and earth.
Lifeguards from Cape May Beach Patrol carry Rev. Mathias Kumar, OSFS in last year’s procession. He holds the floral garland that was tossed into the surf.
In the town of Cape May, New Jersey, Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish has been leading this devotion for decades. When the Oblates began to minister in the parish in 2008, they continued this popular tradition. Even last year, during the pandemic, the blessing continued. This year, after the 11:45 AM Mass (Sunday, August 15), a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be carried in a procession down Ocean Street from the church to the beach for the ceremony. After the prayers and blessing at the water, a lifeguard will assist the pastor, Father David Devlin, OSFS, in tossing a floral garland into the surf.
There are a number of legends that try to explain how this blessing of the sea began and why it is connected to the Feast of the Assumption. Some involve bishops and storms, a few recall sea battles and prayers for victory, still, other versions connect the story of creation with Mary as the New Eve: the Queen of Heaven and Earth (including the sea and all within). Whatever may be the origin, today the devotion reminds us that the seas and oceans continually provide for God’s people and call us to be good stewards of all creation. Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us!
