May 26, 2025

Bishop Byrne celebrates Memorial Day Mass for the fallen

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

Central High School’s Air Force Jr. ROTC served as the honor guard for the wreath laying ceremony following the Memorial Day Mass at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield, Monday, May 26.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated a Memorial Day Mass at St. Michael’s Cemetery on State Street in Springfield, Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m. The Mass was held outside the St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum.

“Memorial Day is above all a day of gratitude for all those who gave their lives so all could be free in our great country. So, pray for all our men and women who gave their lives because freedom isn’t free,” said Bishop Byrne.

Deacon John Williams, who will be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Springfield on June 21, delivered the homily. Deacon Williams, a Marine, served two tours of duty in Iraq. He spoke about a fellow Marine he lost in 2005, named Juan.

“On the 20^th anniversary of Juan’s death I received a letter from his younger sister Erica. She wrote ‘thank you for not forgetting Juan and keeping his memory alive. When you mentioned you believe that Juan is a powerful intercessor in heaven, I recalled that my aunt said something similar and how she prays to him as an intercessor also. We are very proud of you and congratulations on very soon becoming a priest,’” he told those gathered as he read from the letter.

“As a veteran, this is what Memorial Day means to me: to remember our fallen, to comfort their families and to resolve to be useful. Juan’s death at the age of 21 taught me that life is too short to waste on something as boring as myself. It is meant to be given away in generous service to others. But you don’t need to be a veteran to understand this.”

Deacon Williams referenced President Abraham Lincoln’s words in the Gettysburg Address where he challenged Americans to honor the fallen by living a life of service.

“We can do that in very simple and very heroic ways, by loving God, by loving our families and by loving our neighbor,” Deacon Williams said.

“The more we love, the happier we will be, the more united our country will be and the more at peace the world will be. That’s the kingdom of God we pray for and it starts with you and me here today. The best way we can honor our fallen heroes is by loving each other, by serving each other and by striving to become saints. With our reception of Jesus in the Eucharist today, let us go forth from this Mass on that mission, with that kingdom as our objective,” he said.

Memorial Day has been observed since the late 1800s, following the Civil War, to honor those who were killed while serving in the U.S. military.

A wreath laying ceremony followed the Mass. Members of the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee along with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno were in attendance.

“Families who have experienced loss, their loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice. That chair is missing every day, and that’s why we should be marking Memorial Day every day, especially stay in prayer for those families who are missing a loved one,” said Bill Walls, the chairman of the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee. Walls served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

“This is a young man’s game: 18-25 years old. These are the guys who go to war and these are the guys we lose. So that’s why we must constantly recognize and memorialize their service,” he said.

 The Central High School Jr. Reserve Officer Training Corps program (ROTC) served as the honor guard. Dozens of Memorial Day Masses were held across the Diocese of Springfield, in both cemeteries and churches, to honor the fallen.