The Catholic churches of Atlantic City are hosting the annual “Wedding of the Sea” festival on Thursday.
St. Monica Parish begins the day at noon at Etess Arena at Hard Rock with the celebration of the Assumption Mass with Bishop Dennis Sullivan, head of the Diocese of Camden.
According to Catholic teaching, the holiday marks the day on which the Holy Mother was assumed into heaven.
Following the service, a procession moves down Pennsylvania Avenue to the beach for the “Wedding of the Sea,” which honors the relationship between the city and the sea and asks God to bless the success of the city and its communities.
The tradition of the Wedding of the Sea began in Venice around 1000 AD. Every year on the Feast of the Ascension, Venice’s secular and religious leaders performed a “wedding” between the city and the Adriatic Sea.
The tradition came to Atlantic City through St. Michael’s Church, an originally Italian parish, where the celebration was moved to the day of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.
St. Michael is part of St. Monica Parish, along with Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Nicholas of Tolentine.
Afterwards, lunch will be served at the Hard Rock’s Harvest Buffet. Tickets must be purchased for this event.
