Holy Rosary Parish in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood once again will host its four-day celebration of the Feast of the Assumption. This is the 123rd year for the event, which culminates on Aug. 15 with a 10 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic. A procession through the neighborhood – led by a statue of the Blessed Mother -- follows the Mass at about 11:15 a.m.. The procession will return to the church about 12:45 p.m. and the rosary will be prayed.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost and Father Joe Previte, Holy Rosary pastor, will be among the concelebrants for the solemn liturgy. Bishop Woost will be the homilist at the liturgy, which traditionally draws a standing-room-only crowd of faithful.
Father Previte said the procession, which attracts hundreds of marchers, will begin on the street outside the church, 12021 Mayfield Ave., Cleveland. It will turn right onto East 120th Street, continue to the end of the street, turn right Coltman Road then left onto Mayfield, proceed up the hill, turn left onto East 124th Street, left onto Alexander Court, left onto East 123rd Street, right onto Mayfield, left on Murray Hill Road, right on Cornell Road, right on Random Road, right on Paul Avenue, right on Murray Hill again, left onto Fairview Avenue (which turns into East 125th Street) and then a final left onto Mayfield before returning to the church.
Many neighbors and visitors line the route as the procession winds through the neighborhood. Those in the procession sing and pray along the way.
The celebration is Aug. 12-15 with Mass, prayers and the rosary each day as well as a carnival in the churchyard and along the street in front of the church.
“The Feast is a celebration of the Gospel of life, faith and family,” Father Previte said.
Festival hours are noon to midnight Aug. 12, noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 13-14 and noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 15.
The Mass schedule is 4 p.m. Aug. 12 (vigil Mass); 8:30 and 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Aug. 13; 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. (vigil Mass for the Assumption); 8 and 10 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Aug. 15.
The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. each evening of the celebration in the outdoor shrine, located in the church piazza on the Coltman side of the building.
In addition to the liturgical celebrations, the feast will include food, music, a casino, vendor booths, a raffle and other entertainment. The celebration of the Feast concludes at 9 p.m. Aug. 15 with a candlelight procession on Mayfield Road and a closing prayer service.
Father Previte said Holy Rosary Parish hosts this annual celebration to mark the Assumption of the Blessed Mother into heaven.
Although the celebration is primarily religious, he noted it also is a way for the parish to reach out into the community to evangelize and to invite those who may have fallen away from the Church to return.
“The Feast is a most opportune time to learn and create a spirit of respect and community among all the businesses and institutions of the neighborhood. It is our desire to cooperate and encourage neighborhood spirit, not only in August, but also throughout the year,” he added.
Proceeds from the celebration help support parish children attending Catholic elementary schools and provide funds for the maintenance of church buildings and grounds.
Click here for more information on this year’s celebration.