Despite the pandemic and the restrictions government has imposed on group gatherings, the annual celebrations of the Wedding of the Sea in which the bishop participates on the Vigil of the Assumption, August 14th, in Wildwood and on the Solemnity of the Assumption, August 15th, in Atlantic City took place. A tribute to the committees in both parishes, Notre Dame de le Mer and Saint Monica, the Pastors, Fathers Wallace and Mohan, their staff and the faithful who attended. Not even a deadly virus would stop these brave souls from keeping the tradition alive. The usual parish festival, especially in Atlantic City, was cancelled but in both Wildwood and Atlantic City the Offering of Mass, the Procession to the Sea, accompanied with the Image of the Blessed Mother and yours truly riding the lifeguard boat to throw into the Atlantic Ocean a wreath on which a ring is attached, still happened. Despite the roughest surf in my eight years taking part in this ancient Venetian tradition the Wedding of the Sea did take place.
This tradition that dates back to the 15th century in the city of Venice which was experiencing rough seas. The bishop prayed for the safety of the city and for the safety of all the vessels on the waters. In a very dramatic move he threw his episcopal ring into the raging waters as he prayed for God’s protection. The tradition was preserved in popular religion and brought to our country by 19th century Italian immigrants who called it SPOSALIZIO DEL MARE, translated, THE WEDDING OF THE SEA.
The power of tradition and popular religion reveals something about culture and about faith.
About faith — it speaks to the connection between God, the Creator of the Sea, and the human person who needs water for life and who recognizes the providence of God in supplying us with water. Our Holy Father Pope Francis five years ago gave us the encyclical, LAUDATO SI in which he warns people of good will everywhere about the obligation to protect the environment which includes the waters which the Creator has given us.
About culture — tradition speaks to the bravery of the ancestors who came to America seeking, as do immigrants and refugees in our time, freedom from tyranny, a better life for their families, and the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As religious people they wisely observed their venerable traditions, such as the Wedding of the Sea. Culture reminds us of the importance of family; family life and traditions that are connected to church, expressions of popular religion and to society.
These days in which so many are anxious and worried about the economy, jobs, a place to live and returning to school after months of physical absence, traditions can help to calm and stabilize the nerves.
Speaking of schools, our Catholic schools are in crisis and action is needed from the Catholic faithful. Please, get your pen and letter writing materials or prepare to email our elected officials. Parents deserve an option in terms of the choice of education. That’s the way it is all over the world except in the United States of America.
Students in Catholic schools are denied services and resources on the basis of religion. Catholic schools transform the lives of their students. They produce active members of society. A Catholic education is not harmful to the education offered in the local public school. Society benefits from what we offer. However, we need government help in order to continue to offer an option to parents. Action is needed from you. Please, contact our New Jersey Senators, the Governor, your representative in the Congress and your elected official in Trenton. Tell them that Catholic schools need their support and assistance.
I do not understand the opposition that we constantly face from politicians who refuse to assist us while at the same time they praise the product our Catholic schools produce. Educated students. A Catholic school is not in opposition to public education. In fact, we are very concerned about the quality of public education. The majority of Catholic children and teenagers in our diocese attend public schools and we want the best for them.
We are asking for our just piece of the education pie.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden