Cardinal George presides over Memorial Day Mass

NILES, Ill. (WLS) -- The Chicago Archdiocese held Memorial Day Masses at several Catholic cemeteries throughout the Chicago area, and Francis Cardinal George presided over the Mass at Maryhill Cemetery in suburban Niles.

On a bright, warm morning, hundreds gathered for a special Mass.

Francis Cardinal George held mass here to salute American heroes.

"On Memorial Day, we pray with great gratitude for those that have given their lives so we can be safe here, and we can continue to live here in such a way that we with them, will live forever," he said.

In the crowd were vets like Ed Bartosch, who was deeply moved by the ceremony.

"I get so emotional when I attend the services," he said. "I've been attending them for many years. It's a beautiful ceremony, very happy we can get all of these people to celebrate this and remember all of our veterans that are deceased."

The field Mass at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery is just one of 37 different masses taking part across the city and in the suburbs.

The McHale family is visiting from London and wanted to be a part of Monday's ceremony.

"I loved the way the mass was, everyone could understand everything it was lovely," Mark McHale said.

The mass closed with a final prayer for the heroes.

"We ask your thanks and we ask your blessing upon the members of our armed forces and our veterans present here today," Cardinal George said.