Memorial Mass Fills National Shrine Basilica

Last updated on: May 22, 2026 at 7:07 pm by William Hemsworth

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Memorial Mass Fills National Shrine Basilica 2026-05-22T19:07:15-07:00 William Hemsworth

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Catholics gathered and almost filled the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday for the 32nd Annual Memorial Mass. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, celebrated the Memorial Mass, as he does each year during the month of May, to pray for the men and women who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces, living and deceased. The 4:30 p.m. liturgy on the Solemnity of the Ascension drew a large, diverse congregation of active-duty service members, veterans, and military family members. EWTN recorded the Mass for broadcast on Memorial Day, May 25, at 11:30 a.m. (ET) with a repeat showing 12 hours later at 11:30 p.m. (ET).

In his homily, Archbishop Broglio noted how the call to military service embraces “elements of the Ascension message: mission, sending forth, and memory.” He preached, “If anything brings us to this magnificent basilica this afternoon it is to render homage to men and women who have accepted and accomplished a mission. We honor the men and women who have so faithfully served our country. We pray for their eternal rest and we highlight the service of so many priests who have completed their pilgrimage. We pray that all might enjoy the eternal rest of heaven.”

Reflecting on the Solemnity, the Archbishop proclaimed, “The Ascension points out that Christ is Lord, and absolutely everything is under His sovereign dominion. He gave that to the Church as head over all. It is His Body. Christ, Head of the universe, has given the Church the essential mission to be His visible body. Therefore, the Church has a double mission: fill herself completely with Christ, to become the fullness of Christ; and for those who do not belong to the Church, to be the visible means by which Christ acts in the world.”

Scenes from the 32nd Annual Memorial Mass in Washington, DC, on May 17, 2026. Photographs by Matthew Barrick.

In closing remarks, Archbishop Broglio announced a first-of-its kind Catholic Military Conference, to be sponsored by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), Nov. 9-11, 2026, for active-duty military members and their spouses and families, chaplains, and those who have served. The conference will be held at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, VA, with more details soon to be announced.

The evening celebration followed the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation, the recitation of the Rosary, and solemn vespers. After the opening procession, before the introductory rites, a U.S. Military Honor Guard presented the colors as the Basilica choir, under the direction of Dr. Peter Latona, D.M.A., led participants in singing the National Anthem.

Archbishop Broglio was joined at the altar by Catholic military chaplains and other priests in service to the AMS. The concelebrants included retired Auxiliary Bishop Richard B. Higgins, Bishop-elect Gary Studniewski of the Archdiocese of Washington, AMS Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Monsignor Anthony R. Frontiero, S.T.D., AMS Judicial Vicar Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.D., and AMS Vocation Director Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA (Ret.).

The Congregation counted among its VIPs Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), members of the Saint John XXIII Foundation, members of the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW), Knights of Columbus, and diplomatic attachés from Brazil, Greece, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, and Switzerland. The dignitaries included several Flag and General Officers.

One of them was retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Christopher F. Burne, whose two sons have also served in the military. He was the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saint John XXIII Foundation. “The Memorial Mass is always so deeply moving and meaningful in both a spiritual and a patriotic way,” Lt. Gen. Burne said. “Everyone who attends it is visibly moved. To have our joint honor guard to process in, and the National Anthem in that environment, and then the conclusion of having the bugler sound taps from up above (in the choir loft), those notes reverberate off that marble, and I think it brings many to tears. Every note was perfect!”

Deacons Timothy Wolfkill and Joseph Pak served as Deacons of the Mass. Captain Thomas Carmack, USAF, and Lieutenant Colonel Naloni Tyrrell, USA, served as lectors. Members of the faithful from Langley Air Force Base and Marine Corps Base Quantico assisted as altar servers. Active-duty personnel and members of the MCCW and Catholic War Veterans bore gifts to the altar.

The Memorial Mass concluded with the sounding of Taps.

Go here to read the full text of Archbishop Broglio’s homily. Watch video here or on EWTN Memorial Day.

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