ATLANTIC CITY — One of Atlantic City's longest-running religious and cultural traditions will return next week as thousands of worshippers, residents and visitors are expected to gather for the 58th annual Wedding of the Sea, a celebration rooted in centuries-old Catholic tradition and the city's deep connection to the Atlantic Ocean.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, begins with a 10 a.m. Mass in the Seminole Ballroom at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino before continuing with a procession along the Boardwalk and the traditional blessing of the ocean.
Father Robert Hughes, pastor of the Parish of St. Monica, said the annual celebration traces its roots to Venice, Italy, where the "Wedding of the Sea" symbolized a community's dependence on and gratitude for the sea.
"It honors the recognition that God created the ocean for our enjoyment, and we ask Him to bless the ocean and to protect us from the dangers of the sea, as well as to ensure that the city enjoys the benefits of the ocean economically and recreationally," Hughes said during an appearance on WOND's Talking with Anne (weekdays 10a-12p).
Following Mass, participants will carry a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in procession from Hard Rock to the beach.
At the shoreline, Bishop Emeritus Dennis Sullivan will board an Atlantic City lifeguard boat and travel beyond the breakers, where he will toss a wreath and ring into the Atlantic Ocean after offering prayers for God's blessing and protection over the sea.
"The bishop will throw a wreath to which a ring is tied into the sea after asking God to bless the ocean," Hughes explained.
The ceremony, while deeply rooted in Italian Catholic tradition, has grown into one of Atlantic City's most inclusive religious celebrations.
"It started out as an Italian tradition associated with St. Michael's Parish in Atlantic City," Hughes said. "Now that the parishes of Atlantic City have been merged into the Parish of St. Monica, it's become a multicultural event. We welcome the Vietnamese community, the Hispanic community, the African American community, along with the Italians, the Irish, the Polish and everybody else. It's a wonderful expression of what it means to be Catholic."
Hughes said organizers expect between 2,500 and 3,500 people to attend this year's celebration, with visitors traveling from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.
"It's beautiful to see people who travel every year," he said. "People come by bus to participate in this event, along with all of our local people from Atlantic City and throughout South Jersey."
Because this year's event falls on a Saturday, Hughes believes attendance could be even stronger than usual.
The celebration concludes with an optional seafood buffet at Hard Rock for ticket holders, while participation in the Mass, procession and blessing of the ocean remains free and open to the public.
"There is no charge for participation in the Mass or at the procession and to view the bishop in the boat tossing the ring into the sea," Hughes said.
For Hughes, the Wedding of the Sea represents more than simply preserving a tradition—it serves as a reminder of Atlantic City's enduring relationship with the ocean that has shaped the city's identity, economy and culture for generations.
"This is a community effort," Hughes said. "I want to thank Hard Rock and all of the many sponsors who make this Wedding of the Sea possible. It truly takes the entire community to make it happen."
Now in its 58th consecutive year, the Wedding of the Sea remains one of Atlantic City's signature religious and cultural events, bringing together faith, history and the community's longstanding connection to the Atlantic Ocean.
