Ave Maria -- Hundreds from Point Pleasant Beach parish celebrate blessing of the waters
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer
The faith community of St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, continued a decades-old tradition Aug. 15 as they celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary alongside the Atlantic Ocean. About 850 people gathered inside Jenkinson’s Pavilion on the town’s boardwalk for Mass, then walked across the sands to the edge of the Atlantic for the annual Blessing of the Seas.
To see photo gallery, click here.
St. Peter pastor Conventual Franciscan Father Robert Benko was principal celebrant of the liturgy held in the open air boardwalk pavilion across from the town’s aquarium. The building’s movable walls were pushed open to invite the sea breezes and offer views of the beach during the sunny Feast Day morning.
After Mass, the congregation processed to water’s edge for the Blessing of the Sea. Father Benko stood atop a lifeguard stand, extending his hand to bless the waters and inviting the people to lift their hands as well. All obliged, including a bathing-trunks clad lifeguard seated on the stand. Congregants then waded in the sea and filled water bottles with the blessed waters to transport it back home.
The Blessing of the Seas tradition traces back to 15th century Italy when a bishop travelling 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 calmed. Many coastal congregations in Europe and the United States celebrate the Assumption with the blessing of the seas and collect the water for use in their homes throughout the year.
This is the fourth time Father Benko has presided in the al fresco liturgy by St. Peter Parish, but he estimated the seaside faith community has celebrated about 30 such Assumption blessings. Days later, he explained the reason for continuing the parish tradition.
“The turnout for a Holy Day Mass is usually nowhere near this,” Father Benko noted. “Anything which calls people to Mass and to receive the Eucharist is a good thing.”
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By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer
The faith community of St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, continued a decades-old tradition Aug. 15 as they celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary alongside the Atlantic Ocean. About 850 people gathered inside Jenkinson’s Pavilion on the town’s boardwalk for Mass, then walked across the sands to the edge of the Atlantic for the annual Blessing of the Seas.
To see photo gallery, click here.
St. Peter pastor Conventual Franciscan Father Robert Benko was principal celebrant of the liturgy held in the open air boardwalk pavilion across from the town’s aquarium. The building’s movable walls were pushed open to invite the sea breezes and offer views of the beach during the sunny Feast Day morning.
After Mass, the congregation processed to water’s edge for the Blessing of the Sea. Father Benko stood atop a lifeguard stand, extending his hand to bless the waters and inviting the people to lift their hands as well. All obliged, including a bathing-trunks clad lifeguard seated on the stand. Congregants then waded in the sea and filled water bottles with the blessed waters to transport it back home.
The Blessing of the Seas tradition traces back to 15th century Italy when a bishop travelling 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 calmed. Many coastal congregations in Europe and the United States celebrate the Assumption with the blessing of the seas and collect the water for use in their homes throughout the year.
This is the fourth time Father Benko has presided in the al fresco liturgy by St. Peter Parish, but he estimated the seaside faith community has celebrated about 30 such Assumption blessings. Days later, he explained the reason for continuing the parish tradition.
“The turnout for a Holy Day Mass is usually nowhere near this,” Father Benko noted. “Anything which calls people to Mass and to receive the Eucharist is a good thing.”