On Monday we again remember those who have died for our country.
Many Catholics make Mass a part of their annual Memorial Day activities. This is of course a most fitting way to offer thanksgiving to God for the ultimate sacrifice that so many Americans have made for our freedom.
In many dioceses and parishes, a “field Mass” is held outdoors at a nearby cemetery. A cemetery is an appropriate location, as we honor and pray for those who have died. The outdoor setting, however, is also a way to memorialize the thousands of field Masses that have taken place on battlefields around the world, celebrated by priests who serve in the armed forces and attended by Catholic soldiers.
Take a look a the photos below of field Masses that have taken place over the course of our nation’s history, and try to find a field Mass nearby that you can attend on Monday.