Our Lady of the Assumption

We celebrate the Assumption of our Blessed Lady on August 15th. In Italy especially, but in many European countries, it is considered such an important feast day that it is a national holiday. The tradition is that those who are already on holiday at the seaside do not venture into the sea, out of respect. But those Italians who are not on holiday celebrate in the open, either by an extended family picnic or by a day at the seaside, and these day trippers are allowed to venture into the waves. In the UK, celebration of the Assumption is more discreet.