Page 21 - Italian American Herald - July 2019

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
IN THE REGION
Atlantic City to celebrate Wedding of the Sea on Aug. 15
Italian-American Herald
ATLANTIC CITY — St. Monica’s Parish, now celebrating its 51st year, will conduct its annual Wedding of the Sea event on Aug. 15.
The Wedding of the Sea Festival is the signature annual event of the citywide Parish of St. Monica. The Wedding of the Sea tradition began in Venice around the year 1000. The civil and religious leaders of Venice performed an annual “wedding” between the city and the Adriatic Sea on the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The ritual symbolized the maritime power’s vital relationship to
the sea. The tradition came to Atlantic City through St. Michael’s Church, a historically Italian parish, but was celebrated on a different feast, the Assumption of Mary.
The Wedding of the Sea celebrates the relationship of Atlantic City and the sea and asks God to grant success to the work of so many to build up our great city.
At noon on Aug. 15, a brief VIP program will begin the day’s events in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom of Boardwalk Hall.
The Mass of the Assumption of Mary immediately follows the program, celebrated
by the Most Rev. Dennis Sullivan, Bishop of the DioceseofCamden. A procession to the surf will follow the Mass. Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam will join Bishop Sullivan in a lifeboat for the traditional wreath toss. All are welcome to attend.
Rev. Jon Thomas, pastor of the Parish of St. Monica, will offer Eucharistic benediction on the Kennedy Plaza stage with the parish’s unique century-old monstrance.
Rev. Jon Thomas, pastor of the citywide parish, offers Eucharistic benediction at the Kennedy Plaza following the ceremony at the surf.
The Region’s only publication for Italian-Americans serving the
Philadelphia Tri-State metropolitan area.
The festival at St.
Michael’s Church parking lot is returning for the fourth year. The festival will run from
1 to 7 p.m. The festival is free and open to the public and includes 12 food vendors from some of the best restaurants in the neighborhood, a beer garden, live music,
children’s and adult games, raffles and more. Free parking is available across Fairmount
Avenue from Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern. Visitors may also park at The Wave Parking Garage on Fairmount Avenue. Both locations are only a block from St. Michael’s. Those
who will attend the Mass may park their car at Boardwalk Hall and take a free jitney shuttle to the festival. IAH
For more information call (609) 992-9230 or contact yohauser@msn.com.
ATLANTIC CITY
WEDDING OF THE SEA EVENT
Subscribe now! This offer includes a
Aug. 15th - 12 Noon Mass • Boardwalk Hall
one-year subscription (12 issues) for only $27!
Holy Mass with Bishop Dennis Sullivan
CTomlinson@TodayMediaInc.com
Holy Mass with Bishop Dennis Sullivan & Procession to Surf
Celebration Continues - 1:00pm - 8:00pm • St. Michael’s Church Parking Lot
Subscriptions: 302.656.1809 ItalianAmericanHerald.com
Festival - Free & open to public.
Festival 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Enjoy Kids/Carnival Games/Live Music/Beer Garden & More.
Advertising: 302.504.1335 Delicious Foods
St. Michael’s Church parking lot
Provided by AC Famous Restaurants
Bus Program for Groups &
Reserve Mass Seating Available
51 YEAR CATHOLIC
609 345.1878 Weddingofthesea.org
ATTRACTS THOUSANDS
BUS PROGRAMS FOR GROUPS
ATLANTIC CITY WEDDING OF THE SEA FESTIVAL Aug. 15th • 12 Noon Mass • Boardwalk Hall
TRADITION
& Procession to Surf
Local Food • Live Music • Family Friendly
WEDDINGOFTHESEA.ORG | 609.345.1878
JULY 2019 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 21
Vol. 3 / No. 8
40 year Catholic Tradition
ACHIEVERS
LOCAL
FOOD & WINE
Meet your master of ceremonies, Ron Oronzio. PAGE 4
Serpe’s Bakery rises from ashes, plans fall reopening. PAGE 6
Grape expectations: Varieties ripe
for rediscovery. PAGE 10
The Delaware Valley
AUGUST 2016
ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
A MONTHLY NEWSPAPER SERVING THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Above: The Italian Band of Cleveland plays a lively
song to help kick off festivities at the annual Feast of the Assumption in the city’s Little Italy. Left: The “Assumption of the Virgin,” painted sometime in the early 16th century, is at home at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice.
Aug. 15, a day of faith and fun
Assumption Day also kicks off vacation season in homeland
By Joseph Cannavo
Unless they are practicing Catholics, Aug. 15 is just another day to many fourth- and fifth-generation Italian- Americans. Those who are devout in the United States know that it is actually Assumption Day, a Holy Day of Obligation set aside to honor the belief that Jesus’ mother was taken to heaven.
The holiday itself, like many others, has its origins in Pagan religious tradition. It was first observed in honor of the goddess Isis of the Sea on her mythical birthday. However, it was ultimately made a part of the Christian observance, and has functioned ever since as one of the most holy days
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