Blessing of the Ocean

On BoardwalkOne of our pastoral ministries has a very unique yearly tradition. On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parishioners from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Seaside Heights, NJ) process from the church to the beach, carrying a statue of the Blessed Mother to the boardwalk, in order to bless the ocean. This blessing is in honor of Our Lady and is continued each year to bless all those who use, work on, swim in or visit the ocean. This year, the event began at Mass concelebrated by Fr. Bartholomew Karwacki, OFM Conv. (pastor), Fr. Terence Pescatore, OFM Conv. and Fr. Emmett Carroll, OFM Conv. After Mass, some men of the parish lifted the statue covered in the stipends of the faithful and led a large procession of parishioners on Grant Avenue and down the Boardwalk where Friar Bart stopped for the Blessing.

Blessing the ocaen