“We praised God for the gift of the ocean and saw God’s blessings on the water,” said Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of the Diocese of Camden. “In doing so, we acknowledge that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve God’s gift. On this day of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, we express our love for her. She is our mother.”

Attendees first crowded into the Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City to attend the Mass for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary before heading outside to escort the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the boardwalk and beach on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Sullivan and City Councilman Jesse O. Kurtz then jumped into a lifeboat while Atlantic City lifeguards Joe Russell and Gavin Roman rowed them out to throw a wreath into the sea from the shore to cheers from spectators.

“The Wedding of the Sea is the most significant event in St. Monica Parish,” said Kaleem Shabazz, vice president of the City Council, who read a council resolution at the beginning of the event. “We ask God to grant success to the work of so many who contribute to building our city.”

The “wedding of the sea” tradition began around 1000 A.D. in Venice, Italy, when religious leaders performed a wedding between the city and the Adriatic Sea every year on the Feast of the Ascension, Sullivan said.

“It was a tradition that our ancestors brought with them to the new world,” Sullivan said. “By throwing the garland into the sea, we symbolically express our relationship with the sea. We affirm that we will take care of this tremendous gift from God to us.”

Locally, the tradition began in St. Michael’s Church, a historically Italian parish, but it was celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, as it was believed that her body ascended to heaven.

“God has called us with His grace,” said Father Kevin Mohan of St. Monica Parish. “Our Lady’s Assumption is the first fruit of our response to God. When she saw what her son Jesus was doing, she said, ‘With God’s help, I want to do the same.’ It fills us with hope.”

The event was held for 56 consecutive years despite the COVID-19 pandemic. After the pandemic, Mohan said, Sullivan encouraged him to hold the event at a larger venue, and since then it has been held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Hard Rock.

“We have been tracking our progress post-pandemic,” Mohan said. “We haven’t missed a year, but we were spread out and had only a small crowd. Last year and this year we welcomed more than 2,000 people. That’s wonderful because it’s a sign of healing and life.”

Melissa Johnson, 34, of Philadelphia, has been attending the festival for three decades and is now coming with the next generation.

“When I was little, my mom always took me and my brother,” Johnson said. “I always enjoyed getting to know some of the other kids who grew up here, and I’m still friends with some of them today. I want to continue that tradition with my kids because if you’re religious, it’s the perfect place to do that.”

Jeffrey Matthews, 41, of Hamilton Square in Mercer County, said this was his first “wedding of the sea” and he plans to make the event an annual tradition.

“A few of my friends from church go there every year and this time I finally decided to go with them,” Matthews said. “It was a wonderful celebration.”

Sullivan echoed Mohan’s statement and hopes the event continues to grow in popularity.

“This needs to be expanded further,” said Sullivan. “Next year I hope that everyone will bring two more people and we’ll fill the hall completely.”