Ottawa’s Mass for the Fallen honors those who ‘paid the ultimate price’ for freedom

“A powerful symbol of peace after years of devastating war.”

That’s how Bishop Scott McCaig described the Armistice of Compiègne, the international agreement that ended fighting in World War I in 1918.

The agreement, also known as the Armistice of 11 November 1918, was signed on that day in the Compiègne Forest, with the last fighting continuing until 11 a.m. local time.

McCaig said the symbolic alignment of the date and time of the signing — taking place at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of that year — was given special significance after the brutality of the long global conflict.

“Over time [in Canada] the day evolved to honor not only those who died in the First World War, but also all Canadian soldiers who served and sacrificed their lives in subsequent wars and military conflicts,” McCaig said.

The prelate, who serves as the bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada, will mark that observance this week with the Mass for the Fallen, held in Ottawa’s Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica on Nov. 11.

McCaig said the Mass is “offered for the dead, specifically those who have died in wars, in service to God and country, and the veterans who have passed…