Calling the mother of Jesus an “icon of pure Christian hope … a hope that never disappoints,” Bishop Joseph Williams celebrated the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Aug. 14 and 15 in Wildwood and Atlantic City.
Joining Bishop during the two days of festivities were clergy, seminarians, women religious, Knights of Columbus, local dignitaries, students, faithful of all ages, local communities and visitors to the Jersey Shore.
Also on hand for Bishop Williams’ first Assumption and Wedding of the Sea celebrations since becoming the ninth bishop of Camden: his brothers Mark and John, and sister-in-law Joan, who traveled from his home state of Minnesota.
Remarking during the Masses that he would he soon partake in the celebration’s tradition of tossing a bouquet of flowers into the ocean to ask God for His blessings, Bishop noted that Mary, born without sin, was in her own “peaceful boat, in a domestic life” before being called to be the mother of Jesus.
“She’s preparing to be married to a good man in a quiet town” when the angel Gabriel approaches, Bishop Williams said. After saying yes to the plan of God, Mary makes haste to visit her sister Elizabeth in a far-off town – “and the adventure begins.”
Mary got out of the boat of her comfort zone, the Bishop said. Even though the waves were rough for her in this new life, “she saw her son misunderstood, rejected by the people she came to save, betrayed by a friend, and eventually crucified.”
But, the Bishop noted, Mary never stopped believing in God’s good plan for her, and thus is a perfect model for discipleship.
“Each one of us is or should be a missionary, a witness to Jesus Christ … and make Jesus known and loved in our schools, in our workplaces, in our communities,” he stressed. “But to be that, you have to leave the boat” – one’s comfort zone.
The Masses and Blessing of the Sea festivities with Bishop Williams – at Saint Ann Church, Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Wildwood, for the Assumption Vigil, and with the Parish of Saint Monica at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Seminole Ballroom in Atlantic City – joined similar celebrations across the Diocese. Among them: Cape May with Bishop Emeritus Dennis Sullivan, Stone Harbor, Brigantine, Avalon, Longport, Ocean City, Sea Isle City and more.
The Wedding of the Sea celebrations keep alive a tradition that began in the 15th century, when an Italian archbishop calmed stormy waters with a toss of his pastoral ring. The Italian tradition is a blessing for the Mother Mary’s intercession in the relationship between town and sea.
Leading all faithful to the beach in Wildwood and Atlantic City in a procession of prayer, praise and reverence, Bishop Williams blessed the waters at the ocean’s edge. He remembered God’s gifts of the sea, in providing sustenance, relaxation and “the beauty of … its creator.” That beauty and mystery, he said in his prayer to the Lord, will “always remind us of your presence.”
Surrounded by cheering faithful and curious passers-by, Bishop Williams got into a lifeguard boat and was rowed into the sea. After the vessel was sufficiently in the deep, he threw the bouquet into the waters, drawing a roar from all those on shore.
Maria Densten, from Infant Jesus Parish in Woodbury Heights, has been attending the Vigil of the Assumption in Wildwood since she was a young girl. She credits her late mother, Mary Cipolloni, for instilling the faith.
“My mom wasn’t able to come, so I’m continuing the tradition,” she said with a smile.
Her daughter, Renee Glenn from Our Lady of Peace Parish, Williamstown, noted the “joy, peace and trust present in her and others attending the Mass. “This day always reminds me that Jesus and Mary are there. They mean the world to me.”
The Cross family from Saint Peter Parish, Merchantville – David, Mary Beth and their children, David and Sophia – have been coming to the Vigil for more than 20 years.
“Mary protects us, leads us and helps us say yes to the Lord,” David Cross said.
His son appreciated the opportunity to publicly display his faith during the procession. “It’s always fun as we spread the Good News through the street to see the reactions of others.” Those reactions can range from confusion and bewilderment to awe and wonder, the younger David said.
Mary Beth Cross said those who attended the celebrations are living out Bishop Williams’ hope for all: to step out into the deep with faith and trust in the Lord.
“We’re ambassadors of Jesus, spreading the Gospel,” she said.
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