Catholic Leaders Hold 'Blue Mass' to Honor First Responders

Bishop Michael Barber and other Catholic leaders hosted first responders at a Mass Friday morning in Oakland to honor fallen responders and those who serve their communities of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The National Anthem welcomed about 200 police, fire and medical personnel to the third annual Blue Mass at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the Light at 2121 Harrison St. on the shores of Lake Merritt.

“You here today,” Barber said. “You enter danger every day when you come to work.”

Diocesan officials said the Blue Mass is meant to recognize the “extraordinary dedication of the public servants who quietly exemplify the noblest virtues of the faith.” Barber said the name of the Mass reflects the color predominantly worn by first responders.

The first Blue Mass was held on Sept. 29, 1934, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., by a priest who founded the Catholic Police and Fireman’s Society, Diocesan officials said. The idea began to spread after 9/11 when first responders saved the lives of an estimated 25,000 people, according to Diocesan officials.

Danville resident Nick Bellino, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, said the Knights came to show their support and gratitude for the work first responders do. About ten to 20 Knights came out dressed in cloaks, hats and other attire meant for special church gatherings. Bellino also represented the Martin C. Kauffman 100 Club of Alameda County, a nonprofit that provides immediate support to families of fallen police and firefighters.

He said the Blue Mass is also a time when civilians and first responders to get to know each other before an emergency. Oakland resident Tom Bowman said the idea of honoring first responders is a “fantastic” idea. Bowman learned about the Mass through his daughter’s school and this morning she was an alter server, he said. Bowman didn’t know how often Catholic leaders hold the Blue Mass but he stressed its importance saying he thought it “should probably be more regular.”

Story and photo by Bay City News