Catholic Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day with Children: A Montessori Approach to Faith, Remembrance, and Peace

Memorial Day is more than the start of summer—it is a sacred time to pause and honor the lives of those who died in service to our country. In a Catholic Montessori setting, we are uniquely called to commemorate this day in a way that intertwines faith, gratitude, and peace, while guiding children with truth and reverence.

As educators and parents, we are entrusted with helping our children understand not only the historical significance of Memorial Day but also the spiritual dimension: offering prayers for the souls of the departed, honoring their sacrifice, and praying for peace in our world.

Here are some beautiful, faith-centered and Montessori-aligned ways to observe Memorial Day with children:

1. Begin with Prayer and Silence

Start the day with a moment of silence and a prayer for the souls of all those who have given their lives in service. Light a candle and recite a simple prayer such as:

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

This quiet ritual teaches children that prayer is our first response to remembrance and grief—and that it offers comfort and hope.

2. Create a Sacred Memorial Space

In the Montessori classroom or at home, prepare a Memorial Prayer Table. This can include:

• A crucifix

• A Bible or children’s prayer book

• A small American flag

• A photo or drawing of a soldier

• Flowers or greenery from nature

• A handmade paper dove for peace

  
  

Let the child help decorate this space reverently. They may add a drawing or write a short note of thanks to those who have served. This allows them to express their feelings and participate actively in remembrance.

3. Read Scripture That Honors Sacrifice and Service

Select Bible verses that speak to self-giving love and the call to serve others. These verses help children understand the connection between our Catholic faith and the meaning of Memorial Day:

• “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

• “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

• “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

Take time to reflect quietly on these passages. Encourage older children to journal their thoughts or say a short prayer inspired by the Scripture.

4. Offer the Rosary for Peace and the Fallen

The Rosary is a powerful spiritual tool, and offering a decade—or the full Rosary—can be a family or classroom act of love for those who have died and for peace in the world.

Children can take turns leading the prayers, and each bead can be offered for a specific intention, such as soldiers, their families, leaders, and countries in conflict.

5. Tell Stories of Catholic Saints and Heroes in Times of War

Children learn deeply through stories. Share the lives of Catholic figures who served during wartime or who were known for their peacebuilding:

• St. Joan of Arc, a brave defender of her faith and country

• Fr. Emil Kapaun, a Catholic priest and military chaplain who died in a POW camp during the Korean War and is being considered for sainthood

• St. Maximilian Kolbe, who gave his life in place of another prisoner in Auschwitz

  
  

These stories illuminate courage, faith, and sacrifice in action—and help children understand how Catholic values can be lived out in times of crisis.

6. Participate in Acts of Mercy and Service

Memorial Day offers an opportunity to engage in Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy in honor of those who have died:

• Visit or write to veterans or elderly relatives

• Donate to a Catholic organization that supports military families

• Make cards of thanks or prayers to deliver to your local parish, nursing home, or VA hospital

Children learn that even small acts of love and kindness are part of living out their faith.

7. Celebrate Mass or Watch a Memorial Day Liturgy

If possible, attend a special Memorial Day Mass, or watch a livestream from your parish or a Catholic cathedral. Encourage children to offer their Mass intention for the repose of the souls of fallen soldiers.

After Mass, talk with your child about the connection between the Sacrifice of the Mass and the sacrifices we honor on Memorial Day. It’s a profound moment of Catholic teaching that can leave a lasting impression.

Honoring the Past, Building a Future of Peace

In the Montessori approach, we prepare the child not just for school, but for life. Memorial Day, when celebrated with faith and reflection, becomes a powerful lesson in gratitude, peace, and the Christian call to love one another.

Let us honor the memory of the fallen not only with words, but with action—and by forming children who are builders of peace in a world that needs it more than ever.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace...”—Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi