Shore parishes to include blessing of water on feast day
Catholics throughout the world will joyfully observe the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 15, commemorating Mary’s body and soul being assumed into heaven at the end of her earthly life.
While faithful of the Diocese will mark the day with Masses and processions scheduled from morning to night, several parishes along coastal Monmouth and Ocean Counties will also carry on the traditional Blessing of the Ocean ceremonies. After Masses, congregants will process from their respective churches to the ocean to witness the tradition that dates back to 15th century Italy when a bishop traveling from Venice encountered a fierce storm at sea on the Feast of the Assumption. Praying for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the prelate tossed his pastoral ring into the waters, which immediately became calm.
After the blessing of the water, congregants may have the opportunity to wade into the ocean and fill bottles with the blessed waters to transport it back home.
This year, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will join the community of St. Michael Parish, West End, where he will celebrate the 12:15 p.m. Mass, and then lead a procession across the street for the Blessing of the Ocean and to call upon the intercessions of Our Lady from the deck of the pool overlooking the beach at the Imperial House Apartments.
Following is a schedule of parishes that will also hold Blessing of the Ocean ceremonies:
St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown – 6:30 p.m. Mass, with a procession immediately following to the bay
St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach – 9 a.m. Mass and Blessing of the Ocean, Jenkinson’s Pavilion, 300 Ocean Ave.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Lavalette – 5 p.m. Mass in St. Pio Church, 103 Washington Ave., Lavallette, followed by a procession to the beach and Blessing of the Water. Dinner to follow in St. Pio Parish Hall; dinner tickets available for purchase at $15 per person at the parish office until Aug. 10. Make Checks payable to St. Pio Parish. For more information, call 908-902-6868
St. Rose, Belmar, 9 a.m. Mass, St. Rose Church, 603 7 th Ave., followed by procession to the beach for the Blessing of the Water and Boats. Along the procession route, congregants will pray the Rosary and sing Marian hymns. Congregants are invited to bring flowers to carry in the procession. The flowers will be blessed after Mass and then after the blessing of the Marina, congregants can throw the flowers into the water
St Denis, Manasquan – 6:30 p.m. Mass in Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel, 554 E. Main St. A blessing of flowers and herbs will be held at the end of Mass. Congregants can then join in a procession to the beach for the Blessing of the Water.
St. Junipero Serra, Seaside Park, 10 a.m. Mass, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 100 Grant Ave., Seaside Heights, followed by a procession to the beach and Blessing of the Water