Faith, Bishops, and Boats

And the importance of traditions

Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan bravely shows the world what it looks like to preserve traditions.

I love boats.

I love the sea.

There’s no logical reason for this since both have attempted to take my life multiple times.

My favorite was when I was nearly crushed to death beneath a 600-ton tugboat.

Literally.

It was undoubtedly all my fault.

But the tugboat and the black waters of New York Harbor were very willing accomplices.

And if we’ve learned nothing from the Titanic, it’s that pride goes before the fall.

And stupidity often leads the way, gleefully skipping along.

But I digress.

There’s a lot of talk about Bishops these days.

Not all of it is worth talking about.

Synods, scandals, sideshows…

But when a 78-year-old Bishop climbs aboard a rowboat with the intention of launching into the waves of the Atlantic to commemorate something that happened in Venice in the 1000s…

Well, that counts for something.

And, actually, it stands for a lot.

And that’s worth talking about.

The traditions of our Faith run deep.

Solemnities, Feast Days, Holy Days of Obligation…

And the festivities that accompany them; Devotions, Processions, Special Masses, etc.…

Many began in the ancient Church, but still, more are being added to this very day.

All of them are beautiful portraits of the rich and flowing tapestry that is the life of the Church.

Each being passed from generation to generation.

All part of an unbroken thread of Faith.

But they need to be preserved and maintained.

So when Bishop Sullivan, who’s well past retirement age, dares to board a rowboat with a flowered wreathe with waves crashing before him.

Not once, but twice, in two different parishes along the Camden Diocese’ Atlantic coast.

All to preserve and celebrate one of the Church’s traditions.

Well, I raise my glass to him.

He’s a true Shepherd leading by example.

And his example is one we’re called to imitate.

Not necessarily in a boat or in the sea,

Both of which can be, well, daunting...

Trust me.

But in taking on our role in preserving these traditions.

Some by simply showing up

And others who do the heavy lifting of organizing, planning, and running these things.

To begin with, you have my profound respect and appreciation.

Because you, by preserving these traditions and handing them on to the next generations

You, who, through your sacrifice and labors, keep these traditions alive

You are handing down what we believe.

You are handing down our Faith.

And if there’s one thing, the world needs more than anything.

The only thing that will save it...

It’s the Faith.

An hour before Bishop Sullivan hit the waves, he Celebrated Mass for a handful of folks who came out on the Feast of the Assumption…at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Literally, the most important part of the day.

Then a procession for Our Lady up the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Oh, and the tradition being commemorated is called the Wedding of the Sea.

It’s from an event about a thousand years ago when a Bishop calmed a fierce storm by throwing his episcopal ring into the sea.

These days he throws in a wreath, as rings can be expensive. And actually, the weather was pretty nice. No stormy seas to calm.

And as the Bishop returns safely, and the tradition continues on.

One photo that didn’t quite work out the way I hoped…

Oh well :-)