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Police officers, emergency personnel receive blessings at annual Blue Mass
By Ambria Hammel
The Catholic Sun
Several dozen active and retired members of law enforcement and other emergency personnel took part in the annual Blue Mass of Thanksgiving Nov. 25 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.
Before Mass began, bagpipers honored the memory of fallen law enforcement officers and emergency responders, some of whom were killed in the line of duty during the last year.
An honor guard officer and firefighter lit a small candle in their memory.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted recognized the selfless work police officers, firefighters, border patrol agents, corrections officers and paramedics across the state do in defense of life and justice, and thanked them on behalf of the Church.
In a brief address before the homily, the bishop promised them the Church’s prayer and support.
He then reminded the men and women in blue to carry out their work with patience and hope — both virtues of service.
“Patience may seem at first not a virtue but a vice for those called to be quick responders,” the bishop said.
It’s patience that gives them the strength to remain calm when dealing with “hot-headed minds,” he continued, and stand up for the common good.
The bishop quickly recalled his time with Pope Benedict XVI during his U.S. visit in April and how the police escorted him everywhere. He knew that both his escorts and the law enforcement officers who sat in uniform before him were a people of hope.
The bishop suspected they encounter situations daily that could harden their hearts.
“Thank you for resisting that temptation,” the bishop said.
The bishop prayed especially that those who have been injured in the line of duty not lose hope.
Vincent Canez, a detention officer for Maricopa County and a Bourgade Catholic High School alum, attended the Blue Mass for the camaraderie between the agencies.
“It’s more of a family-type of thing,” Canez said.
Before the final blessing, Bishop Olmsted offered a special blessing for active members of law enforcement that they persevere in their work as a people of hope.
Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN
Glendale Fire Captain Todd Mills was among several bagpipers who honored fallen officers Nov. 25.
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