Bishop Solis celebrates Memorial Day Mass

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Members of Boy Scout Troop 202 lead the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the Memorial Day Mass at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum in Salt Lake City.

SALT LAKE CITY — The annual Memorial Day Mass at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery was celebrated May 27. Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided. Concelebrants were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; Fr. Martin Diaz, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; Fr. John Evans, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish; Fr. Dominic Briese, OP, chaplain of Juan Diego Catholic High School; and Fr. Dominic Thuy Dang Ha, a retired priest of the diocese. Deacon George Reade, chancellor, was Deacon of the Mass. Several other deacons assisted.

Preparations had been made for the Mass to be celebrated outdoors, but because of inclement weather the celebration was moved into the mausoleum. Prior to the start of the Mass, members of Boy Scout Troop 202 of St. Ambrose Parish presented the colors, and “America” was sung. Members of the Utah Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree provided the honor guard.

In his homily, speaking in both English and Spanish, Bishop Solis said, “We gather as a faith community and with the entire nation to remember all our brothers and sisters in the military who died and have given their lives in the service of our country so we can enjoy our freedom and peace today.”

Memorial Day is a time to keep alive the memory of the “many men and women who unselfishly offered their lives, motivated by the ideals of this great nation and in fulfillment of their duty as faithful citizens,” the bishop said. “We express in the celebration of our Mass our profound gratitude for their service and courage, selflessness and heroic sacrifice. This remind us of what Jesus said, that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. These men and women we remember today are people of great love, people that we do not only honor but we can emulate as well as imitate.”

Death is not the end, but is the beginning of eternal life, “which God promised to those who are faithful to him. So we ask our loving God, in his goodness and mercy, to raise up all those fallen soldiers in our armed forces, that they may have eternal life,” Bishop Solis said.

In appreciation of the selfless sacrifice of the fallen military men and women, “let us see to it that their service to the nation and for our wellbeing will not be in vain,” he continued. “Not all of us are called to serve in the military, but as believers in Christ we are called to be peacemakers, to bring unity and harmony, justice and peace in our society. We therefore honor the memory of those men and women in the military who died by being agents and defenders of peace, by having the courage to speak the truth, to pursue justice, and to work for peace.”

The bishop asked for prayers for members of the military who are serving in areas of conflict around the world, as well as for government leaders, for the innocent victims of war, “and for a just and lasting peace, not only for our nation but for all nations around the world.”

Patriotism is a Christian duty, the bishop said, and quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity.” (CCC 2239)

In closing, Bishop Solis asked that those present be a source of inspiration to others, “to grow in love so that we may be able to serve one another in the pursuit of justice, of freedom and of peace.”