Wedding of the Sea
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales have been ministering at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Cape May, NJ since 2010. Fr. David Devlin, OSFS, ministered there from 2019-2023.
On Tuesday, August 15th, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Cape May, NJ celebrated the annual Wedding of the Sea.
The event is rooted in centuries-old European traditions, especially those found in the coastal towns of Italy. The Wedding of the Sea is a prayerful reminder of the important life-giving union between a coastal city and the waters that surround it.
Each year, following the 11:00 AM Mass, parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea and visitors prayerfully process down Ocean Street to the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the procession, members of the Knights of Columbus carry a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary that had been crowned with flowers by a child in the parish.
Upon reaching the beach, the pastor offers a prayer, imploring God to bless and protect the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, and the surrounding waters. Additional prayers are offered for the protection of those who earn their living from the sea, as well as for the safety of lifeguards, members of the Coast Guard, first responders, and all those who come to Cape May for vacation and to enjoy relaxing at the shore.
Following the prayer one of the Oblate priests is rowed out into the Atlantic Ocean by a lifeguard from the Cape May Beach Patrol and he places a wreath of flowers upon the ocean symbolizing the “wedding” of the town with the sea.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish is blessed each year by the wonderful cooperation and support of the City of Cape May, its police department, and especially the Cape May Beach Patrol.
The Saint Mary’s Council of the Knights of Columbus and parishioner, Dr. Edward Mahaney, who coordinates the event with the city, are dedicated to making the procession and prayer at the ocean a blessed success.
The recent tragic events suffered by our fellow citizens on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, and who we remember in prayer, serve to remind us of the importance of seeking God’s blessing and protection for all who live, work, and vacation by the sea. May the annual Wedding of the Sea help the community in Cape May to do so today and for years to come.
Our Lady Star of the Sea, pray for us!
Fr. David Devlin, OSFS
Priest in Residence, Our Mother of Consolation Parish
Philadelphia, PA