The Assumption of Mary is celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cape May, NJ, in a very special way!
Oblate Fathers David Devlin, Jim Dever, John Dolan, and Mathias Kumar, accompanied by Monsignor Joseph Marino and Father Miles Barrett, celebrated Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Following Mass, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was processed from the church to the beach for the “Wedding of the Sea” ceremony. After the blessing, a lifeguard assisted Father David Devlin, OSFS, by casting a floral garland into the surf.
According to tradition, the ceremony commemorates an event in the life of the Bishop of Cervia, Italy, Paul Barbo, who later became Pope Paul II. The Bishop is said to have been returning by ship from Venice on the Feast of the Assumption in 1445 when he was caught in a storm. The Bishop, it is said, calmed the storm by prayer and throwing his pastoral ring into the sea.
The “Wedding of the Sea” is a popular centuries-old rite in many European seacoast cities and towns like Venice. The ceremony symbolizes the Wedding of the Sea and the City created by God, in proximity to each other, and blessed by His love and protection.
Where Mary has gone, we hope to follow! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!
A special thank you to Doctor Edward J Mahaney Jr., former Mayor of Cape May, who was instrumental in organizing this ceremony, and the Knights of Columbus - St. Mary's Council #6202.
