#United States #Catholic Cemeteries #North Arlington #Memorial Day #Archdiocese Newark

Honoring Our Heroes: Memorial Day Masses 2025

The Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark are set to host special Memorial Day Masses on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM across various locations. This solemn event invites the community to gather in remembrance and gratitude for the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for your freedom. The Masses serve not only as a tribute to fallen soldiers but also as a celebration of all veterans and active-duty military personnel.

A Collective Tribute to Fallen Heroes

This year’s theme, "Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes," emphasizes the unified spirit of honoring those who have served. The Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington will be celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, offering attendees a chance to support a community tradition that reflects shared values of faith and respect for those who served our nation.

Locations and Celebrants

The Memorial Day Masses will take place at seven sacred locations:
- Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ – Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D.
- Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ – Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz, D.D.
- Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ – Most Reverend Michael A. Saporito, D.D.
- Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, NJ – Most Reverend Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., D.D.
- Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City, NJ – Most Reverend Gregory J. Studerus, D.D.
- Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes, NJ – Very Reverend John J. Chadwick, S.T.D.
- Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange, NJ – Reverend Philip J. Waters, O.S.B.

A Meaningful Celebration

The outdoor services, held rain or shine, are designed to create a sacred space for introspection, gratitude, and remembrance. Most of the Masses will be conducted under canopies to enhance the communal atmosphere. The Gate of Heaven and Maryrest Cemeteries will host indoor services in their mausoleums for those preferring sheltered facilities. This year’s observance promises a special appeal, with construction underway on the new Open-Air Mausoleum of the Holy Spirit and the Chapel Mausoleum of Our Lady, bringing a serene ambiance that complements the solemn nature of the event.

Joseph M. Heckel, the Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries, highlights the importance of these gatherings: “Our Memorial Day Masses remind us of the sacred duty we share in remembering and praying for our veterans.” This initiative seeks to foster unity, reflection, and respect among participants as they honor those who have selflessly served.

Continuing the Tradition

The special Memorial Day Mass is part of a larger commitment by the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark to honor veterans through monthly remembrance services, various commemorative events on Veterans Day and Flag Day, and the decoration of graves with American flags during Memorial Day.

All members of the community are encouraged to attend to pay their respects and partake in this reflective celebration of valor, freedom, and faith. For more information about the locations of the Mass and to learn more about the Catholic Cemeteries’ other initiatives, visit www.rcancem.org/memorial-day-mass.

In closing, as the nation observes Memorial Day, let us come together as a community to honor those who have kept our freedoms intact. Every story, every life cut short, deserves our remembrance and gratitude. Therefore, we invite you all to join in this meaningful ceremony of faith, remembrance, and unity this upcoming Memorial Day.