Memorial Day
Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, or participating in parades.
For Christians, the custom of visiting the cemetery and praying for the dead can be traced to the women who returned to the tomb of Jesus that Easter morning to mourn and complete the preparation of His body for burial. Then and there, they discovered that He had been raised from the dead. Today, Catholic cemeteries are signs of hope that are places of prayer. They witness our faith in the Lord Jesus and the hope we share in his resurrection.
Today, our visits to the cemetery are prompted by our love and faith. We come to remember, to mourn, to give thanks for the life our beloved shared with us, and to strengthen our belief that one day we will be united with our beloved in Eternal Life.