The Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Friday, August 15, 2025

The Wedding of the Sea

After the 11:00AM Mass a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be carried in a procession down Ocean Street from the church to the beach for the traditional “Wedding of the Sea” ceremony.

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.

After the blessing, a lifeguard will assist Bishop Sullivan by casting a floral garland into the surf.

Where Mary has gone, we hope to follow!
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

 print