Cardinal Wuerl to Honor First Responders at Blue Mass

Monday, May 5, 2014

Event Kicks Off National Police Week

WASHINGTON – Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass to pray for those in law enforcement and fire safety, remember those who have fallen and support those who serve.

Priests of the archdiocese will gather with units from federal, state and local jurisdictions in formation to pass under a huge American flag hung over the street by two fire ladder trucks as they process into St. Patrick Catholic Church for the 20th annual Blue Mass. The entrance procession also will include pipe and drum corps units.

Blue Mass Honoring First Responders
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Procession: Noon at 10th and G Streets N.W.
Mass: 12:10 p.m.
St. Patrick Catholic Church
619 10th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(Media outlets wishing to cover this Mass are asked to please RSVP to the archdiocese.)

The Blue Mass is held each year at the beginning of National Police Week. Representatives of federal and local law enforcement and public safety agencies from the Washington metropolitan area and around the country are expected to attend. People of all faiths are welcome.

The Mass includes an honor guard, bagpipers and the solemn playing of “Taps” in memory of those who gave their lives in the past year.

The Blue Mass is a tradition that began in 1934 but was not regularly observed until 1994 when it was revived to honor and pray for the men and women who protect our city and nation. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, there are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States. A total of 1,501 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years. In 2013, there were 100 officer fatalities in the United States.

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The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 96 Catholic schools, located in Washington, D.C., and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.

Contact:
Chieko Noguchi or Sheridan Watson,
301-853-4516
[email protected]