All Souls Day at Mobile Memorial Gardens

Reprint of article by Timothy Claiborne in the Novemeber 22, 2013 edition of The Catholic Week

On Saturday November 2, 2013 Fr Stephen Vrazel, Pastor of St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, celebrated the first All Souls Day Mass at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  This Mass commemorated the faithful departed in the Garden of Crucifixion Catholic Garden and other areas at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.   The setting for the mass was in front of the 25’ high Crucifix feature mausoleum which is the centerpiece for the Catholic garden.
Fr Vrazel, in his homily to the over 100 faithful in attendance, addressed the importance of all Souls Day and prayer for the deceased.  He explained the significance of his black vestments representing the period of mourning for our loved ones.  He also noted the Alpha and Omega symbols as well as the Peacock and its association with the Resurrection.
Fr Vrazel blessed the graves and mausoleum in the Catholic section and provided vials of holy water for the faithful to bring to the graves of their loved ones in other sections of the Gardens.
 Fr Vrazel and Mobile Memorial Gardens plan to make this an annual event to serve the population of West Mobile  offering them the opportunity to participate in this sacred liturgy.

The Gardens and the South Alabama Veterans Council wishes to express a special thanks to these major partners for their generous support:

Graham, Brown & Dutton, Public Accountants, PC
Family Bronze Memorials

We also wish to recognize the support of these organizations as well:

Flowers For Cemeteries
Everlasting Granite
US Coast Guard
Mobile Christian HS Band
Mobile Azalea Trail
USS Alabama Crewmates
USA Silver Wings
USA Air Force ROTC
Marine Corps League P. L. Wilson Detachment
The Uncle Henry Show, WNTM AM 710
Skuttlebutt Radio FM 106.5
Tillmans Corner Chamber of Commerce
All local Veteran Service Organizations