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September 21, 2023The Blue Mass dates to September 29, 1934, when Rev. Thomas Dade started the service as part of his duties with the Catholic Police and Fireman’s Society. The first Mass was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., close to the and has grown to a nationwide celebration. The September 29 service coincided with Michaelmas, the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron military saint of police officers and military.
This tradition is also alive in our diocese – this year, the Blue Mass will be celebrated this Saturday at 5:30 pm at Corpus Christi Cathedral. All police officers, firefighters and first responders will attend in their blue uniforms. Everyone is invited to come to show their solidarity and gratitude for their service.
“It means a lot for us if the community shows up to support us,” says David Garcia, Deputy Sheriff of Nueces County. People would come up and thank them for their service. “We also always include the widows of the policemen and firefighters, those who died in the line of duty, but also those who passed away after retiring,” he shares.
David is working in his 38th year as a policeman. Times are difficult: “Society has changed; there is less respect for officers and firefighters.” This results in fewer young people willing to sign up and serve. “People are blaming the police for everything. But there’s also less respect for teachers and people in general,” he says. “It seems that many people don’t appreciate the sacrifices that we make” – the weekend and night shifts, dealing with murders, crimes and emotionally challenging situations.
However, his faith helps him and many others to start again every day with a new hope. “We are blessed to live in a supportive community,” he says.
The Blue Mass on Saturday at 5:30 pm at the Corpus Christi Cathedral will be live-streamed on the Diocesan YouTube Channel and the Facebook page of the Corpus Christi Cathedral.
