Memorial Day – originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America.
God our Father, Giver of life, we entrust these United States of America to Your loving care.
You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate,
Patroness of our land,
grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.”
Lead us into a new millennium of life.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
(author unknown, found on a Catholic prayer site)
To learn more about the history and traditions of
History of Memorial / Decoration Day