A 118-year-old tradition continued in Cleveland?s Little Italy neighborhood Aug. 12-15 as Holy Rosary Parish celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Masses, prayers, processions and the traditional street festival.
Bishop Richard Lennon was the principal celebrant at the 10 a.m. Mass on Aug. 15, the feast day celebrating Mary?s assumption into heaven. Concelebrants included Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A., and a native Clevelander; retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger Gries and Father Joseph Previte, Holy Rosary pastor. Retired Bishop Anthony Pilla was in attendance.
Portions of the Mass were said in English, Italian and Latin. Deacon Bruce Battista of Holy Rosary pronounced the Gospel in Italian.
Homilist was Mercedarian Father James Mayer, pastor of St. Rocco Parish on Cleveland?s West Side. He offered reflections on Mary, her life and her role in the Church, noting how millions of babies are named in her honor and churches around the world are dedicated to her. We owe her a great deal, Father Mayer said, ?and we gather today to honor her for her faithfulness.? He called her ?a woman of courage who endured suffering and exile . . . when we call upon Mary, she has us point to God because the Almighty has done great things for her.?
Father Mayer said a mother who raises and nurtures her children is following the example set by