The Church’s tradition of showing gratitude to emergency responders began when a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Baltimoreorganized the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society while stationed at St. Patrick Church in Washington, D.C.On Sept. 29, 1934, more than 1,000 police officers and firefighters, dressed in their blue uniforms,attended a Mass that has since come to be known in churches across the country as the “Blue Mass.” The Archdiocese of St. Louis each yearinvites members of law enforcement and first responders to join in prayer, seeking God’s blessing for those who serve and protect.
Transitional Deacon George Rhodes, left, distributed Communion to City of St. Louis Fire Department Honor Guard member Fire Capt. Ron Schroeder during a special Blue Mass honoring first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski was the celebrant. Photos by Sid Hastings for the St. Louis Review.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis Review
Ballwin police officer Shaun Cox, right, greeted City of St. Louis Firefighter Galen Taylor before the start of the Blue Mass honoring first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint LouisPhoto Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis ReviewCity of St. Louis Firefighter Galen Taylor, a member of the department’s Honor Guard, participated in the Blue Mass honoring first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis ReviewMembers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department participated in a special Blue Mass honoring first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis ReviewMajor Eric Larson (center), of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, participated in a special Blue Mass honoring first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis ReviewArchbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski greeted Lt. Joseph Lankford, of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, following a special Blue Mass held to honor first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis ReviewArchbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski shook hands following a special Blue Mass held to honor first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis ReviewSeminarian Ben Wolf, left, spoke with Capt. Christi Marks, Officer David Goldschmidt and Officer Brett Williams of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department following a special Blue Mass honoring first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis ReviewArchbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, left, visited with Major Renee Kriesmann of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department during a reception in Boland Hall following a special Blue Mass held to honor first responders Sept. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.Photo Credits: Sid Hastings for the St. Louis Review
The Church’s tradition of showing gratitude to emergency responders began when a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Baltimore organized the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society while stationed at St. … Archdiocese of St. Louis Blue Mass
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