A Good Way to Celebrate Memorial Day

by Ellen Hogarty

Today, we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States. According to Wikipedia, “Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials to honor those who have died in military service.”

It goes on to clarify:

“Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.”

So, how can we best remember those who died in service to their country? I propose two ways.

1. Pray a chaplet of Divine Mercy for them

Praying for the souls of the departed is one of the ways we can show mercy. The Lord told St. Faustina, “All these souls are greatly loved by Me... It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf.” (Diary of St. Faustina, #1226)

So we can take a few minutes to pray the chaplet (see below*) for them. If any of the souls we are praying for don't need it and are already enjoying heaven, the Lord will apply it to those who still need our prayers.

2. Pray for our country

Let's take a moment to pray for our country. Those we are remembering today gave their lives serving the United States, and we can honor them by praying for all our elected officials, judges, legislators, and those currently serving in the military.

The U.S. Catholic bishops give us this as a prayer we can say today:

God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons
and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely
into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen

God bless you on this Memorial Day!

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*Chaplet of Divine Mercy

First, you will say one OUR FATHER, one HAIL MARY and the I BELIEVE IN GOD.

Then on the OUR FATHER beads you will say the following words: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

On the HAIL MARY beads you will say the following words: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

In conclusion, three times you will recite these words: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world” (Diary, 474-476).