Bishop Solis celebrates Memorial Day Mass

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis gives his homily on Memorial Day at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

SALT LAKE CITY — Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided at this year’s Memorial Day Mass at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. The May 30 celebration had been planned for the area around the outdoor altar, but because of rain it was moved into the mausoleum, where it was standing room only. A number of people attended the Mass standing outside the door, sheltered by umbrellas.

“We gather today as a nation and as a faith community to remember those men and women in the various branches of the military service who fought and gave up their lives not only for our country but for others as well,” Bishop Solis said in his homily, speaking in English and Spanish.

The Mass was an opportunity to pray for the souls of the fallen as well as for all surviving veterans and their families and loved ones, the bishop said.

“In the celebration of our holy Mass, we recall the admirable sacrifice of those brave soldiers who endured every kind of hardship, suffering and death that others might live,” he continued, noting that they left their homes to serve, many in foreign countries, “to defend freedom and to preserve peace. For such noble acts of heroism, selflessness and sacrifice, it is worth keeping them close in our thoughts, in our hearts and in our prayers, with great admiration, honor and gratitude.”

The bishop said it was heartwarming to welcome those present, and he complimented them for attending despite the cold and rainy day. He noted that people sometimes become indifferent to the blessings of God, and become disturbed by little discomforts such as bad weather.

“But this is the time we reflect on the experiences of those brave soldiers who go off day in and day out staying in the muddy and watery cold trenches, with bullets and bombs whizzing over their heads, without even a cup of hot coffee,” he said.

The polarization of today’s society offers few chances to gather as one nation, the bishop said, so “what a great moment to bridge our relationship as one family. Our faith in God, my dear friends, can be stronger than death. Political and ideological differences can be transcended when we realize who we are – one nation, one family under God, brothers and sisters to one another. … God entrusted us to be the bearers of love in this world, to bring justice and harmony in our society. But we can only preserve freedom and peace if we take our sacred responsibilities and fight the battles not only in wars but the battle in our own hearts; to be people of character who defend the sanctity of life in every age and stage, who respect the equal dignity of every person; to provide everyone, especially the poor, with basic needs and every opportunity for them to have a decent life. Only then can we do justice to the sacrifices of the men and women in the military services who gave their lives for us; only then can we give justice to what it is to celebrate Memorial Day and commemorate our fallen heroes.”

Noting that the fallen had followed Jesus’ example of true love, the bishop said, “Thank you, Lord; thank you, fallen heroes; thank you, veterans; thank you for your families surviving in grief and sadness, losing someone they love. But you know what? God is still with us, and we have the chance to prove to the world that their lives were not in vain. We will do our best to preserve freedom, peace, harmony in our world. We can do it. We are people of faith, people who rely not only on our power but in the goodness and grace of God. Amen.”