The 17th annual Blue Mass for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and their families will be celebrated at 5:15 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 28) in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will preside, Rev. Peter Rocca, C.S.C., will be the homilist and Paul Browne, vice president for Public Affairs and Communications and former deputy commissioner for the New York City Police Department, will offer brief remarks.
Named for the predominant color of uniforms worn by officers in police and fire departments nationwide, the Blue Mass was first celebrated at Notre Dame in October 2001 as the traditional “month’s mind” Mass for the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and for the police officers, firefighters and rescue workers who died while in the line of service. Since then, it has been celebrated annually to honor and pray for all those who serve and protect public safety on a daily basis. Representatives of the police and fire departments from throughout the region will attend the Mass.
The Mass is open to the public, and people of all denominations and faith traditions are welcome to participate.
Originally published by at news.nd.edu on September 26, 2017.