If you asked most people to characterize the late Martin Luther King, Jr., the word that comes to mind is “dreamer.” The civil rights leader — who worked to end racial inequality and discrimination — is perhaps best known for his “I Have A Dream” speech delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington.
But Father Stephan Brown, SVD, offered another description of the visionary leader as he spoke to worshippers attending the 26th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Mass held Jan. 21 at St. Patrick Cathedral. Dr. King wasn’t just a dreamer, preached the guest homilist who concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Kevin Vann. He was a drum major who called others to greatness.
A poster of Martin Luther King, Jr., stands in front of the altar at St. Patrick Cathedral for the Jan. 21 Mass.
“Using decisiveness, diligence, and determination, he called others to greatness so they too might be drum majors for justice, peace, and righteousness,” Fr. Brown said. “Today is an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves not simply to dream but to serve and speak words of hope for the future as we walk together as God’s people.”
The Cleveland native, who is assistant to the president for ministry at St. Leo University in Florida, used Dr. King’s Feb. 4, 1968 “drum major instinct” address to convey his message before the Fort Worth audience. In the speech, Martin Luther King encouraged his followers to seek greatness through service and love rather than the innate need to be praised or recognized.
“Martin reminds each one of us that we can be great. The ‘drum major instinct’ can be transformed and changed not for self righteousness in the negative sense, but for service,” Fr. Brown insisted. “Forty-four years after his death, he continues to be a drum major. He continues to be a dreamer. The message is still there.”
Engaging his listeners as he walked down the cathedral’s main aisle, the speaker told congregants the world is torn by misunderstanding, hatred, greed, racism, and materialism. People are divided by race, language, and culture.
Members of Knights of Peter Claver Council 89, based out of Our Mother of Mercy Parish, stand during the liturgy.
He thanked the cross-section of parishioners who planned the MLK celebration for transcending those barriers.
“You stand as a witness to the culture of the world that speaks of division, and you demonstrate unity; that speaks of exclusion, and you demonstrate welcome,” Fr. Brown observed. “You are decisive, diligent, and determined because you stand as drum majors for justice with your intent to serve.”
Hosted by organizers from Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Fort Worth, and St. Maria Goretti, St. Matthew, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Joseph Parishes in Arlington, the Mass was punctuated with rousing gospel hymns and solos performed by an inter-parish choir. The Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 89 and Ladies Auxiliary from Our Mother of Mercy led a procession to the altar. With one male choir member from the African choir from St. Joseph Church in Arlington wearing loose fitting African clothing and women choir members in traditional African dresses and gele head wraps, the choral group stepped rhythmically, as they carried baskets of fruit and gifts of bread and wine up the aisle during the offertory. (Gele wraps are made of a paper-like material [gele] used in West Africa and other parts of Africa as headpieces).
You Members of the African Choir at St. Joseph Church in Arlington carry bakets fo fruit and gifts of bread and wine up the aisle during the offertory.
For long-time knight Elliott Guidry, the annual Mass recognizes an important legacy.
“If it were not for people like Martin Luther King, I wouldn’t have the job I have today,” explained the IBM employee. “He marched with a lot of unknown heroes to make the progress we enjoy today.”
St. Rita parishioner Elizabeth Hall believes Dr. King’s call for unity is needed in society — particularly with today’s young people.
“It’s important for them to realize there were people who came before them who stood for principles and that message must continue into the future,” she said.
Martin Luther King was a Baptist preacher, but the Mass is an appropriate tribute for the civil rights trailblazer.
“This is such a beautiful and moving Mass,” Hall noted. “Even though he wasn’t Catholic, he stood for peace and justice for all of us.”
Copyright © 2011 by North Texas Catholic