In top photo, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is being carried in procession from St. Catherine Laboure Church, Middletown, to nearby Ideal Beach as part of the parish’s observance of the Assumption on Aug. 15. Mike Ehrmann photo
On Aug. 15, the day the Universal Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, faithful throughout the world paid tribute to the one perfect human being who ever lived.
Photo Gallery: Feast of the Assumption in St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown
Though the holy day fell on a Saturday this year and was not one of obligation in the Diocese, parishioners still flocked to their churches for Mass to commemorate the Blessed Mother’s being assumed body and soul into heaven.
For those faithful who live or vacation near the beach in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, there were opportunities for them to participate in the blessing of the water feast day tradition. After Mass, several parishes along the coast led processions from their respective churches to the ocean or a nearby body of water where a prayer service and blessing of the water ceremony was held.
Among the parishes that upheld the tradition included St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown; St. Denis, Manasquan; St. Rose, Belmar, Our Lady of Hope, West Long Branch, and St. Junipero Serra, Seaside Park.
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com for more photos and story on the celebration of the Assumption in the Diocese.
