Bishop Solis celebrates Memorial Day Mass

Friday, May. 31, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY — The traditional Memorial Day Mass at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Salt Lake City was held under sunny skies this year. Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided; concelebrants were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; and several priests of the diocese, including Father John Evans, who will become vicar general in August upon the retirement of Msgr. Bircumshaw.

On Memorial Day, many Americans gather to honor those who died in the service and protection of this country, but “Catholics celebrate something more,” the bishop said in his introductory remarks. “Today is a day to remember the special unity between heaven and earth, a day to remember the communion of saints, a day to remind ourselves that we are Church.”

In addition to praying for the fallen, Bishop Solis also prayed for the deceased priests of the diocese. Among those who are buried in the cemetery is Msgr. Jerome C. Stoffel, who served as a U.S. Army chaplain during World War II. His grave, like those of other veterans throughout the cemetery, was decorated with a small American flag.

The bishop also gave thanks for the diocese’s benefactors “who contributed to the growth and spread of this diocese and are now with the Lord,” and he said it was “a day to pray for our family members and friends, who gave us life, love and companionship as well as the gift of freedom. “

In his homily, the bishop reiterated that it was a day to gather as nation “to remember those men and women in the military who fought for our country and gave up their lives that we may enjoy freedom and peace. We are able to be here in prayer this morning because men and women have set aside their security, their plans, their families and all that is familiar in order to serve this nation.”

Quoting the day’s Gospel reading, John 15:9-13, Bishop Solis said, “‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ Jesus laid down his life for us. This is the greatest love anyone can show, and when someone loves us, they show it.”

Remembering the dead “brings us sorrow,” the bishop added, “but today’s readings give us hope, comfort and joy. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time of salvation when God will remove the shroud of death and wipe away all tears. Saint Paul, in the second reading, exhorts us to draw our strength and power from God, to stand fast with our loins girded in truth, and in all circumstances hold faith as a shield and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The promise that God will destroy death forever is the cornerstone of our Catholic faith. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, death has been conquered and eternal life is offered to all. And every time we celebrate the holy Mass in memory of Christ’s self-sacrifice, God’s gift of salvation is made present and made available to all of us still today. As we gather around this altar, we honor our fallen brothers and sisters, we pray for the members of their families – every family – those who fought and those who died, those who made great sacrifices for the freedom we enjoy as Americans; and the best way to honor them is to live for things of great value and not to forget their sacrifices and their examples.”

Memorial Day is a reminder that it is “the fundamental and ideal principles of courage, commitment, of service and sacrifice, not for ourselves but for the good of others, that make our society a better place to live,” the bishop said.

He urged those present “to do our share for people to live in peace and enjoy freedom. Be peacemakers. Live in peace and love one another without counting the peace.”