“We will take Christ into the streets of Cleveland today,” Father Kevin Estabrook told the nearly 200 Legion of Mary members from around the Diocese of Cleveland who gathered in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Aug. 30 for their annual Mass and Eucharistic procession.
“Thank you to Bishop Edward Malesic and Father Joe Mamich (cathedral pastor) for once again opening the doors of the mother church of the diocese to us,” he said.
Father Estabrook, chaplain of the diocesan legion and pastor of St. Clare Parish in Lyndhurst and Sacred Heart of Jesus in South Euclid, said he has celebrated the Mass and led the procession for six years. But this is his last year as chaplain.
(See photo gallery above.)
Father Kyle Rosser, parochial vicar at St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton, is the organization’s new chaplain. Father Rosser, one of eight new diocesan priests ordained in May, concelebrated the Mass and processed with the group.
“As we process with Jesus through the street, we are witnessing the love Jesus had and extending an invitation to all to be made whole,” Father Estabrook said. The Blessed Mother invites all to join her son, he added.
He told the faithful that St. Clare was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, even leaving her life of wealth and luxury to devote herself to him. “Six hundred years before television, St. Clare had visions of the Mass being celebrated,” Father Estabrook said, comparing her experience to modern livestreaming. She often was depicted with a monstrance. In one story, as armed mercenaries stormed toward her convent, she stood holding high a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.
“The invaders froze and left without harming anyone,” he said, illustrating the Lord’s power.
The purpose of the Legion of Mary is to advance the reign of Christ, Father Estabrook said. “May we continue to be Our Lady’s soldiers as we crush the head of the serpent and take Jesus to the streets, bringing souls to Christ one at a time for the goodness of salvation.”
After Mass and the procession, the group returned to the cathedral for benediction, to pray the rosary and recite Legion prayers.
The liturgy and procession traditionally take place near the Blessed Mother’s birthday, which is observed on Sept. 8.
Many parishes in the diocese have Legion of Mary praesidia. Click here for more information.