Religion:Blue Mass
| Blue Mass | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Blue Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Washington, D.C.) | |
| Observed by | Catholics, Other Christians |
| Significance | Honor veterans of the Public Safety field |
| Date | Varies by community |
| First time | 1934 |
A Blue Mass is a Mass celebrated annually throughout the United States [1] in the Catholic Church for those employed in the "public safety field" (i.e. police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, 911 operators and EMS personnel).[2] The color blue relates to the blue-colored uniforms predominantly used by these services.[3] Similar to the Red Mass, the service honors those who have died in the line of duty and those currently serving as first responders.[4] The Mass is an opportunity for the community to show gratitude to first responders and their families.[5]
Background
In Washington, D.C., the service is held in conjunction with National Police Week.[5] Psalm 91:11, "For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]," are often invoked during the service.[5][6] Though usually held in a Catholic church, non-Catholics are generally invited to attend.[7]
The Blue Mass dates to September 29, 1934,[8] when Rev. Thomas Dade started the service as part of his duties with the Catholic Police and Fireman’s Society.[9] The first Mass was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., and has grown to a nationwide celebration.[10] The September 29 service was timed to coincide with Michaelmas, the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron military saint of police officers and military.[11]
See also
- Gold Mass
- Military ordinariate
- Police chaplain
- Red Mass
- Rose Mass
- White Mass
References
- ↑ "PR - Blue Mass - ST. DAVID OF WALES Roman Catholic parish—El Cerrito, CA, Richmond, CA". 2014-12-26. http://www.stdavidofwales.com/pr---blue-mass.html.
- ↑ "Oakland police, firefighters honored at Blue Mass". Oakland North. 2014-10-14. https://oaklandnorth.net/2014/10/14/oakland-police-firefighters-honored-at-oakland-blue-mass.
- ↑ Charnley Eveland, Annie (30 September 2014). "St. Pat's hosts Blue Mass for law enforcers". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (The Seattle Times Company). http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/sep/30/st-pats-hosts-blue-mass-law-enforcers.
- ↑ Wuerl, Donald (2014-05-14). "With Prayers and Gratitude: The Blue Mass". Archdiocese of Washington. http://cardinalsblog.adw.org/2014/05/with-prayers-and-gratitude-the-blue-mass.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Long, Carolyn K. (2011-08-05). "What is a Blue Mass?". Angels Over America. http://angelsoveramerica.org/press-release/what-is-a-blue-mass.
- ↑ "20th Annual Blue Mass". St. Patrick Catholic Church. 2014-05-06. http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/bluemass.shtml.
- ↑ "Showing gratitude for those who serve". Saint David of Wales Catholic parish. 2014-09-22. http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/2014/09/23/blue-mass-indio-riverside-county/16087179/.
- ↑ "Blue Mass Honors Fallen Police and Firefighters". City News Group Inc.. 2014-10-24. http://colton.citynewsgroup.com/articles/dee231827be1f6f54562bc50d8ed2cba.
- ↑ "Msgr. Thomas B. Dade, was pastor in Riverdale". Baltimore Sun. 1994-11-17. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-11-17/news/1994321074_1_roman-catholic-church-priest-pastor-of-st.
- ↑ "LOCAL PARISH HAS "BLUE MASS" TO HONOR AND PRAY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS: POLICE, FIRE AND MEDICAL". Saint David of Wales Catholic parish. 2014-09-01. http://www.stdavidofwales.com/pr---blue-mass.html.
- ↑ "St. Michael the Archangel: Warrior and Protector", Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
External links
- "Blue Mass, A Celebration of Law Enforcement". The Catholic Diocese of Trenton. 2014-11-30. http://portal.dioceseoftrenton.org/bluemass.
- Upadhye, Neeti (2014-10-26). "Blue Mass honors Pierson, area police". Democrat and Chronicle. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2014/10/26/blue-mass-honors-pierson-area-police/17974497.
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