AMM | Memorial Day Remembrance Message

Memorial Day finds many of us traveling to a cemetery to pay a special visit to the graves of our loved ones. We go to pray for those who rest there in peace. And often we place flowers and American flags on their graves while we are there.

Memorial Day began when families felt a desire to honor their loved ones who fell during the Civil War. It eventually grew to include all those who served in our armed forces. It has now become a day for personal remembrance of all our deceased loved ones, and a day to pray for peace in our world.

Many of us attend Mass on Memorial Day. During the Eucharistic Prayer we ask our Lord to remember those who have gone before us—“Remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again; bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence.”

We ask our Lord and Savior to shower his blessings on those who have given their lives in service to others—whether to our country, our Church, our family, or ourselves. We pray for them and remember them as part of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Prayerfully remembering the faithful departed on Memorial Day is a long-standing tradition here at our Lady’s Shrine. Send me the names of your beloved departed and your intentions to our Lady’s Shrine. I will remember you and your departed loved ones in the Mass on Memorial Day and I will keep your intentions at our Lady’s Shrine.

In addition, many people light a Votive Light for their departed loved ones. In fact, some burn a Votive Light at this time for each of their loved ones. And others keep a Votive Light burning all year—as a reminder of God’s eternal love for their dearly departed.

Any offering you send will promote devotion to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. You will support Vincentian missionaries, seminarians, and our senior Vincentian priests and brothers. And you will bring pastoral care to the poor. Vincentians all around the world work with the lowly and most forgotten of God’s children. They bring the good news—“Jesus loves you”—to countless people.