“Our hope is that today’s Mass and procession will help reenergize our devotion to the Eucharist,” said Father Kevin Estabrook, pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Cleveland and spiritual director for the Legion of Mary, Diocese of Cleveland.
Father Estabrook celebrated Mass the morning of Sept. 2 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for the Legion of Mary. The liturgy traditionally takes place the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, which is near the nativity of the Blessed Mother (Sept. 8).
Father Michael Petkosek, parochial vicar for St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton, was the concelebrant.
(See photo gallery above.)
“Time spent in adoration is never wasted,” Father Estabrook said, urging the faithful “to mingle ourselves with the Eucharist.” He noted the pope tells us “We can’t know the Lord without adoring him.”
The more the sacraments are abandoned, the more we need to receive them, he said,
After Mass, the faithful followed Father Estabrook, who was carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance, Father Petkosek and the servers from the cathedral onto East Ninth Street, Lakeside Avenue, East Sixth Street, Superior Avenue and East Ninth back to the cathedral. Throughout the procession, the group prayed and sang.
After returning to the cathedral, the Eucharist – in the monstrance – was returned to the altar and Father Estabrook led the congregation in the opening prayers and the rosary (joyful mysteries), followed by the collective consecration to Mary. The event concluded with benediction, the Eucharistic blessing, Divine Praises, concluding prayers and hymns.
The legion, a lay apostolate, is committed to the spiritual formation of its members, who in turn reach out to the world through spiritual works of mercy. It was founded by Frank Duff in Dublin, Ireland in 1921.
For more information on the Legion of Mary, visit legionofmarynorthernohio.org.