CV NEWS FEED // Hundreds of Catholics attended the 30th annual Memorial Mass to honor military members at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception last weekend, despite inclement weather.
As CatholicVote previously reported, the Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. While the Mass honors all men and women who have served in the military, those who have given their lives for their country are especially remembered.
According to a news release from the Archdiocese, hundreds of people, including active duty military members, war veterans, friends, and family, attended the Mass despite heavy rain.
The opening procession included a Knights of Columbus color corps and a color guard of ROTC cadets from the Catholic University of America. Veni, Creator Spiritus and the national anthem were also sung.
Archbishop Broglio called for an end to war in all parts of the world, asking those in attendance to pray for peace.
He also called for prayers for those who have protected liberty, defended others, and fought aggression, especially those who have given their lives for their country.
“We also pray for and honor those left behind—Gold Star families, spouses, and others who suffered a loss,” he said, according to the archdiocesan news release.
He continued:
While death is the threshold to life without end, it still leaves us orphans or deprives us of the companionship of a spouse, brother, sister, or friend. In Christian fellowship at this perfect prayer we also want to offer sympathy and comfort to those who mourn.
So also in recognizing sacrifice for good, we hold up to the healing Lord those who still pay the price of their service in bodies racked by pain or limited in movement or in mind and spirit still weakened by depression, fatigue, the effects of trauma or the memories of shattering experiences. In our prayer and outreach we want to remind them that they are not alone, but rather a part of this large family of faith.
The Mass concluded with the sounding of taps to remember fallen military members.
