Sights & Sounds: Remembering fallen heroes at Catholic cemeteries
Under a brilliant blue sky, worshippers of the Archdiocese of Newark remembered their fallen brothers and sisters who died in service to their country at a May 26 Memorial Day Mass celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington. It was one of seven Masses held that morning at Catholic cemeteries in the Archdiocese.
Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark had invited the public to gather in prayer for the Masses honoring those who “paid the ultimate price for our freedom while uplifting all who have served — and continue to serve — with courage and faith.”
The effort was part of the program “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes” organized by Catholic cemeteries nationwide.
The importance of remembering
In his homily at the Holy Cross Mass, Cardinal Tobin spoke to those who had gathered about “the responsibility of remembering.”
“Today, we gratefully remember those who paid the ultimate cost with their lives,” he said.
The cardinal reminded those gathered that forgetfulness is always a danger for humankind: “To forget in the biblical sense leads to sin.” He pointed to the Old Testament, where the Israelites who had escaped from bondage in Egypt grew comfortable and forgot their dependence on God and each other: “A constant theme of the prophets is, ‘Remember!’”
In the day’s Gospel reading (John 15:26—16:4), Jesus also asked his disciples to remember, Cardinal Tobin said, assuring them that he would send the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they would remember when tempted to forget.
“And so, we remember our beloved dead,” the cardinal continued. “We remember, for some, the brief lives they lived because of the tragedy and horror of war. We pray that this generation will be spared as we live in remembrance of those who died so that we would be free.”
“There are many reasons to grieve,” Cardinal Tobin concluded, “but we do not grieve without hope. Because for us, hope has a name. For us, we receive that hope into our hearts today.”
Memorial Day Masses were also offered at six other cemeteries across the Archdiocese, including Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, Saint Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia, Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City, Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange.
Click here to view images from all the Memorial Day Masses.
Each week, Jersey Catholic features the rich and inspiring “Sights & Sounds” of the Archdiocese of Newark. Visit us regularly to explore our vibrant parishes, sacred artworks, historic landmarks, and the faithful men, women and youth who bring our Catholic community to life.
Featured image: Memorial Day Mass worshipper writes a remembrance at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange, NJ. (Photo by Zoey Koester)
