Archdiocese to honor fallen heroes on Memorial Day
There is a particular kind of silence that falls over a cemetery on Memorial Day. It is not the silence of absence, it is the silence of gratitude, too deep for words.
On Monday, May 25, 2026, Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark will once again invite the public to that silence, and to the prayers, scripture, music, and the community that give it meaning. Memorial Day Masses will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. across six cemetery locations in Northern New Jersey, open to all who wish to attend. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark will be the main celebrant at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
Inspired by selfless sacrifice
This year Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau, D.D. will be the principal celebrant for Memorial Day Masses at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City. Succeeding Bishop Gregory Studerus, D.D., who celebrated his final Memorial Day Mass before retiring last year, Bishop Chau reflected on how freedom and justice are inherent and universal rights belonging to every human being.
“On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the men and women of our military who gave their lives in service to our country, defending and protecting these precious gifts,” said Bishop Chau. “Their example of selfless sacrifice continues to inspire our gratitude, admiration, and deep reverence today.”
A Milestone Worth Marking
This year’s observance arrives as the United States, a nation born and sustained in sacrifice, marks its 250th anniversary. Whether at the frozen fields of Valley Forge, the beaches of Normandy, or the mountains of Afghanistan, each generation of Americans has produced men and women willing to give up everything for the freedoms we enjoy, including the right to worship openly.
Our cemeteries hold many of these heroes. Their headstones stand in quiet rows, marked with flags each spring, a reminder that the lives we lead were made possible by the lives they gave. Memorial Day is our chance to say thank you, not in passing, but in prayer.
Serving God and Country
These Masses are celebrated as part of the national program “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes,” developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference. The program unites Catholic cemeteries across the country in a shared act of remembrance, honoring the fallen while uplifting all who have served, and all who continue to serve today.
“Our Memorial Day Masses remind us of the sacred duty we share in remembering and praying for our veterans,” said Joseph M. Heckel, K.H.S., CCCE, Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark. “As we celebrate America’s 250th year, we are reminded that the freedoms we cherish were not free. We invite everyone to come together in unity, reflection, and gratitude for those who made this great nation possible.”
A Gathering Across Our Cemeteries
This year’s Masses will be celebrated by distinguished members of the Archdiocese of Newark at the following locations:
- Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington — Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
- Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover — Bishop Manuel A. Cruz
- Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah — Bishop Michael A. Saporito
- Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia — Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B.
- Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City — Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau
- Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes — Very Reverend John J. Chadwick, S.T.D.
Most Masses will be held outdoors under canopies, with seating provided. Gate of Heaven and Maryrest Cemeteries will host their services inside their mausoleums.
Please Note: Memorial Day Mass is no longer celebrated at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange, N.J. We invite parishioners and families in that area to attend Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum in North Arlington, or at the location most convenient for them.
For full details, and a complete list of locations, click HERE.
Featured image: Cardinal Tobin speaks at a Memorial Day service at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ. (Photo by Rick Tracy)
