By Dorothy K. LaMantia | Correspondent 

In the blazing sun, the blue sky suited the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Aug. 15 as several Jersey Shore parishes observed the day with processions to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Parishes in Monmouth and Ocean counties, among them, St. Mary of the Assumption, Deal; St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Seaside Heights, stopped traffic on roads and boardwalks and drew the attention of vacationers as processions, following the celebration of Mass, streamed out of churches into the streets.

Photo Gallery: Blessing of the Sea in Deal

Led by pastors, priests and deacons, parishioners and guests celebrated the centuries-old Blessing of the Sea tradition in honor of the Blessed Mother by walking to beaches, where the waters were blessed and garlands of flowers were tossed into the surf.

“I am a firm believer in the healing powers of the water on August 15, and we need it now, especially in the last year with all the religious turmoil,” St. Mary parishioner Eileen Ziesmer said. “I believe that we need Mary’s help more now than ever, and our procession was an important public witness of our faith.”

The custom, dating back to 15th century Italy, when a bishop, traveling upon a stormy sea on the Feast of the Assumption, threw his pastoral ring into the sea and calmed the waters, has since become a tradition in coastal cities throughout Europe and the United States. Over time, the faithful attributed healing powers to the waters blessed on this feast.

On Aug. 15, participants bearing empty bottles stood at the shoreline to catch and take the newly blessed sea water home.  Others entered the water to immerse themselves in the healing waters.

At St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, where the event honored not just the feast but the parish’s namesake, nearly 100 people processed behind Father Douglas A. Freer, pastor, Father Leandro B. dela Cruz, parochial vicar, Deacon Paul Kliauga and cross bearer Edward Denton. The crowd walked four suburban blocks to the beach, which they entered having to climb massive boulders of the surf break bordering the sand.

With the sunset casting gold rays upon the gathering, Father Freer blessed the waters and tossed a wreath bearing four blue hydrangeas into the waves.  While the moon rose in the east just over his shoulder, he led prayers to “Our Lady, Star of the Sea to grant peace and healing to our troubled world.”

Ending with the singing of the Marian hymn “Salve Regina,” participants reflected on their pilgrimage before returning to the church.

Caroline Fulivene, visiting from St. Michael Parish, West End, said the procession brought back childhood memories of celebrating the feast day in Long Branch.

“I am wearing blue today, because when I was a child, everyone wore light blue on this day in honor of Mary,” she said. “The Italian mothers removed their stockings to wade knee-high in the surf.  It was the only day they went into the ocean.  When they became old, they sent the kids into the water to fill bottles with the water after it was blessed.”

Father Freer also noted the Italian custom, saying one elderly woman who attended was weeping with joy because it reminded her of her childhood in Italy. “We were privileged to have guests here from Naples, Italy, today,” he said.

While St. Mary Parish’s celebration took place toward the end of the day, St. Peter and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish processions followed morning Masses.

At St. Peter Parish, Mass was celebrated at Jenkinson’s Pavilion on the boardwalk thanks to the Storino family, owners of the pavilion and parishioners of the church.

“For months, hundreds of people from around the state have called to ask if we are doing the Mass and blessing of the waters. We put notices in newspapers all over, and word of mouth advertises it,” pastor Father Bob Benko said, adding that the lifeguards and the sea were blessed. “People on the beach are amazed to see the crowd process on the boardwalk and down to the beach to collect the seawater.”

Since 1997, parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish have carried a platform bearing a statue of the Blessed Mother along the streets and boardwalk in Seaside Heights, with as many as 200 people processing and singing hymns. 

“It is well-turned out because we have bigger crowds here in the summer,” pastor Father Bart Karwacki said. “We try to schedule it as close as we can to the holy day.  I told our people that even though it is not a day of obligation, because the feast falls on Monday, we have a holy day of opportunity to give homage to the Blessed Mother.”