Newark Memorial Day Weekend 2023: Masses At Cemeteries For Veterans

NEWARK, NJ — The Archdiocese of Newark will honor the nation’s fallen soldiers with public Memorial Day Masses at several of its Catholic cemeteries for 2023.

The Masses will take place at seven archdiocesan cemeteries throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29.

According to the archdiocese, the Memorial Day Masses are being held to “honor the memory of fallen heroes, acknowledge the service of veterans and active-duty military personnel, and include prayers for all those interred in archdiocesan cemeteries and mausoleums.”

Active military personnel and veterans are encouraged to participate in the Memorial Day Masses by carrying wreaths or candles, serving as lectors or gift presenters, or reciting intercessions.

Masses will be held outdoors under large canopy tents, rain or shine, with seating provided. Gate of Heaven and Maryrest cemeteries will celebrate Memorial Day Mass inside their mausoleum chapels. Visit www.rcancem.org/memorial-day-mass for more information and location details.

Mass locations and celebrants include:

• Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover – Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D.
• Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington – Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz, D.D.
• Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah – Most Reverend Michael A. Saporito, D.D.
• Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia – Most Reverend Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., D.D.
• Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City – Most Reverend Gregory J. Studerus, D.D.
• Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes – Very Reverend John J. Chadwick, S.T.D.
• Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange – Rev. Philip J. Waters, O.S.B.

The archdiocese also will celebrate the dedication of the new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

The new Chapel Mausoleum features marble crypts, glass cremation niches, a “two-story mosaic of the Resurrected Christ,” and 14 lifelike wooden statues of the Stations of the Cross, handcrafted nearly 200 years ago in Tyrol, Austria.

“Each name engraved on these sacred grounds represents a hero who served our nation with honor, a loving family member who supported them, and a story of courage that inspires us all,” Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries Andrew Schafer said.

“We are humbled to celebrate and remember their legacies, forever cherishing the sacrifices they made for our freedom,” Schafer said.

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