Aug. 15th, The Feast of the Assumption

[Fran]

I just realized that I missed one of the holy days of obligation today for Catholics. It's the Feast of the Assumption.....the day the Blessed Mother died. She blesses all the waters of the world today. So I guess I'll say a prayer tonight in the shower. (haha)

One of the fond memories I have when I was a little kid was going to the feasts at the very Italian church of Our Lady of Mt.Carmel. This was not the church I belonged to as it was mostly Irish and they did not hold the feasts. I remember the old Italians walking the streets with the band in front of the lifesized statue of the Blessed Mother being pulled on a beautiful religious float on several streets in the area. In the old days, they took money from the onlookers and pinned it on ribbons streaming from the Statue. The Feast of San Sebastiano was another they went all out for with a procession through the streets. To this day they still have the festivals at the church but it is much more elaborate than it used to be.

The many booths of real Italian cooking ....sausage and pepper sandwiches, meat ball sandwiches, steak and onions, Italian pastries, and so much more created a heavenly banquet in honor of the Lady. It's been a very long time since I've seen anything like that. This article represents what fun it was as a little kid......I guess Cleveland has a strong Italian representation. I'm happy to see so many still are enjoying the Feast.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010...on_puts_t.html

[Parapliers]

Reminds me of the good times we had at Octpber Fest at German Park when I was a kid. Our parents knew how to have a good time.

[Faust]

Feast of the Assumption of Mary - Mosta, Malta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_dKXSFH1SQ

[Fran]

Here's a really big one in Boston.....

You can see the Saint (Saint Anthony) with procession through the streets and the money given for blessings and the carnival atmosphere. Tradition does mean something. I miss all this stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yj7Q...eature=related

[therock]

Thanks Fran, you make me tear with memories, or is that indigestion?