The Diocese of Pittsburgh asked parishioners to take time to pray for those who had died in war as part of Memorial Day on Monday.

“Today on Memorial Day, we honor all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” the diocese posted on social media.  “Pray for them and for their families.” 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) asked that the faithful say a special prayer. It was posted on Facebook for people to follow: “God of power and mercy, you destroy war and put down earthly pride. Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears, that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters. Keep in your mercy those men and women who have died in the cause of freedom and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace.” 

American Catholics are often seen commemorating Memorial Day by attending Mass at a local cemetery, Catholic Digest says. It also says many get involved with charitable organizations that provide services and resources for veterans. 

The Catholic Church has reached out to those in uniform, with St. Pope John Paul II setting up the Archdiocese for the Military Services in the 1980s. Its purpose is to provide pastoral care and ministry to members of the U.S. armed forces. The Archdiocese for the Military Services has since grown and today has more than 220 installations in 29 different countries. 

World War II claimed the lives of 26,554 Pennsylvanians, according to U.S. Army archives. In more recent wars, 2,030 people from the Keystone State died while serving in Korea, and 1,859 died in Vietnam.