“Are you going to ‘The Feast?’”
Some people may hear those words and think of an elaborate meal. But in Northeast Ohio, “The Feast” has a much larger meaning in mid-August when thousands of people descend on Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood and Holy Rosary Parish for the multi-day celebration honoring the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year marked the 125th anniversary of the parish event.
(See photo gallery above.)
On Aug. 15, Bishop Edward Malesic celebrated morning Mass in Holy Rosary Church. He began the liturgy by pointing out that Mary leads us to her son and that following the Mass, she would be brought out into the streets in a public display of our faith.
Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, noted in his homily that the Fourth Commandment calls us not to just listen and obey our fathers and mothers, but to “honor” them in the same way the Church shows great honor to Mary, the mother of God.
Father Ference drew the congregation’s attention to various images of Mary within the church. However, he also noted that above the stage in the House of Blues, a secular entertainment venue, Mary’s image is used to represent Christianity among the world religions.
He also reflected on Mary’s role in the New Testament as the new Eve.
“Mary is the model disciple on how to receive Jesus,” he said, adding she is “full of grace” and “there is no room for sin.”
Following the standing-room only Mass, Bishop Malesic, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost and other clergy processed through the streets of Little Italy to cheers of “Buono Festa” or “happy feast.”
Along the route, Father Joseph Previte, pastor of Holy Rosary, recited the rosary, while onlookers greeted the bishops, asked for blessings and posed for pictures.
The procession was led by a marching band and various groups of the parish, with clergy walking just in front of the statue of the Blessed Mother. Others marched behind the statue as it wound its way through the streets near the parish.
When the procession concluded, Bishop Malesic led those gathered in prayer. Musicians then played the national anthems of both Italy and the United States.
This year, the holy day kicked off the four-day celebration that concluded with a candlelit procession the evening of Aug. 18.
Learn more about Holy Rosary Parish here. Click here for additional information on the parish’s feast of the Assumption celebration.