“As we process through the streets of Little Italy today, it is a sign of moving forward to find salvation with Mary as we follow Jesus,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the faithful who packed Holy Rosary Church in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood for Mass on Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption.
The 10 a.m. liturgy drew hundreds to the church. Concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Father Joseph Previte, Holy Rosary pastor, Father Phil Racco, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Westlake, Father Mark Ott, a professor at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, and Father Brian Peters, parochial vicar at St. Hilary Parish in Fairlawn. Father Ott, who oversees the propaedeutic year program at the seminary, brought those seminarians to the celebration. Assisting with the Mass were Deacons Bruce Battista and Sean Neville. Deacon Jeff Stutzman served as Bishop Malesic's master of ceremonies.
(See photo gallery above.)
Reflecting on the day’s readings, Bishop Malesic said although Satan tried to prevent the birth of Mary’s child, he could not because God always wins. The good news is Mary, the new Eve, gave birth to Jesus, the new Adam, who came to save us. “We can have what Adam and Eve lost because of Jesus,” he added. However, the devil never gives up trying to keep Jesus away from us, the bishop said, which is why it is important to take Jesus into the streets and Mary brought him with her.
As we pray for peace in so many places, Bishop Malesic said it’s important to bring Jesus along, to witness the Gospel of life, peace and love. “We celebrate God’s triumph over sin and his defeat of death at every Mass,” he said.
Mary tells us never to be afraid of what Jesus tells us, which is good advice, the bishop said. In addition, “We need to see in each person we meet what Jesus sees in us.”
On the feast of the Assumption, he reminded the congregation that Mary was conceived without sin to be a perfect temple for Jesus, the son of God. She was conceived and lived without sin, so after she died, she was raised – body and soul – to heaven, which is what we celebrate on this feast day.
After Mass, the bishops, priests, deacons, servers and hundreds of faithful processed through the streets of Little Italy with a large statue of the Blessed Mother praying and singing.
The feast included a four-day festival on the parish grounds and along Mayfield Road with food, games, entertainment and daily Mass and prayers. Holy Rosary has presented the celebration for 126 years.