Wedding Of The Sea

AC Wedding of the Sea is a tradition that originated years, and YEARS, ago by our Italian parishioners as a way to bring a little bit of home back with them.  Now it has grown into a multi-cultural event to honor the vast heritage and cultural diversity that makes up Atlantic City's St. Monica Parish and it's member churches.

• The Parish of St. Monica was formed a little over a year ago, and to honor the union of its member churches and its diversity, continued with the tradition established generations ago:  AC Wedding of the Sea.

This event was created by the early Italian immigrant parishioners of St. Michael's, which is held on August 15th to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. The tradition dates back to Venice in the 1400s, and involves the blessing of the sea by a church pastor and the tossing of a golden ring into the ocean. Like in Venice, this is done to symbolize the important relationship between the ocean and the seashore towns that rely on it for much of their commerce. In the earlier years of this tradition, many refused to bathe earlier in the season before the ocean was blessed. The custom faded when Atlantic City was occupied by the military during World War II, but it was later revived. (Courtesy of AC Free Public Library).

So – with a Catholic presence and a depth of history in AC established close to 125 ago, providing faith based service and support to a diverse set of communities and cultures, this is an extraordinary event to  be a part of,  topping off your Atlantic City vacation, or to add some interesting, traditional exposure to your children, to re-live history, or to be a part of something truly unique that you won't get anywhere else!! And isn't that what vacations are all about?

• The Parish of St. Monica was created by uniting St. Michael's, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St. Monica's Church, and St. Nicholas of Tolentine

• This event will take place over 3 days, from Sunday August 14th to Tuesday August 16th.  Find all the event information on this page.

• On this site you will find schedules, travel info, facebook information, and a little bit of history.

Please help us make this event the best ever! Join all of our events, and share the information with everyone you know!  RSVP for the event here

Sponsored contest provided by Diocese of Camden.