Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Supporters from around the Archdiocese of Baltimore gather for the annual Blue Mass honoring public safety personnel Sept. 15, 2024, at Saint Joseph's Monastery Parish. This year's Blue Mass at the monastery will be held Sept. 28. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Blue Masses scheduled to recognize responders


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Worship & Sacraments

Several churches in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will recognize the work of public safety professionals – including police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency personnel – by celebrating a Blue Mass.

A tradition that dates to 1934, a Blue Mass, so named because of the color of many first responders’ uniforms, offers special prayers and blessings for both active and retired safety professionals of all denominations.

Archbishop William E. Lori speaks with Baltimore City Police Commissioner Richard Worley, left, and Baltimore City Fire Chief James W. Wallace prior to the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s annual Blue Mass Sept. 15, 2024, at Saint Joseph’s Monastery Parish. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“The Blue Mass is more than a tradition; it is an act of gratitude,” said Father Bill Keown, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Oakland. “As Catholics, we believe that every vocation of service reflects the love of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.”

First responders profoundly live out that call, the priest said, “by running toward danger when others run away, offering comfort in moments of crisis and often sacrificing their own safety to protect lives.”

“At the Blue Mass, we not only thank them for their dedication, but we also lift them and their families in prayer, asking God to bless them with courage, strength and protection,” he said.

Father Keown celebrated St. Peter the Apostle’s first Blue Mass last year. This year’s Blue Mass is scheduled for Sept. 11. Father Scott Kady, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Allegany County, will concelebrate this year for the first time.

“Many times, first responders are the ones who can get there and save someone’s life,” Father Kady said. “Life is the most precious thing to God. They can make all the difference.”

Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate a Blue Mass Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish in Baltimore. Last year’s Blue Mass brought together more than 600 people from departments all around the state.

St. John in Westminster will host a Blue Mass Oct. 4

“It lets them know … that we’re supporting them. We are here for them,” Teresa Richardson, an organizer said. “It is really beautiful.”

Participants at St. John will receive “challenge coins” – tokens of thanks from St. John – when they go up for a blessing, according to Richardson. A potluck dinner featuring pasta and fried chicken will follow. St. Peter the Apostle will host a reception following its Blue Mass.

“Kids at the school will do thank-you cards and it is nice to say ‘thank you’ in person,” Richardson said, of the dinner. “It is a profession, but they are unsung heroes. We are praying for them.”

Blue Mass dates and locations

  • St. Peter the Apostle Church, 208 S. Fourth St., Oakland, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Father Bill Keown and Father Scott Kady, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, will concelebrate. Reception in the St. Peter parish hall follows.
  • St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish, 3801 Old Frederick Road, Baltimore, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate.
  • St. John Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster, Oct. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Father Mark Bialek will celebrate. Dinner will follow.

Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org

Sister Joseph Patrica Ann Ash dies at 83

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A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill (formerly Sister St. Lawrence) was offered June 5 at St. Joseph Villa in Philadelphia. Sister Joseph Patricia died May 22.

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Continue Reading Sister Joseph Patrica Ann Ash dies at 83

Brother Allen E. Johnson Jr., F.S.C., dies at 78

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A funeral Mass for De La Salle Christian Brother Allen E. Johnson Jr. was offered May 22 at La Salle Hall Chapel in Beltsville. Brother Allen died May 4. He was 78.

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Continue Reading Brother Allen E. Johnson Jr., F.S.C., dies at 78

Bishop Ricard remembered at Mass of Transferal for making everyone feel they belonged

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Bishop John Huston Ricard, S.S.J., was memorialized June 1 for his ability to make everyone feel they belong, in various communities and particularly in the Catholic Church.

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Monsignor Paul Cook remembered for devotion to parishioners and leadership in Archdiocese of Baltimore

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Monsignor Paul Cook, former longtime pastor of St. Joseph in Cockeysville, was remembered as being deeply attentive, compassionate and personally invested in the lives of the people he served during 37 years at the Baltimore County parish.

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Monsignor Joseph Lizor, oldest priest in Baltimore archdiocese and former Edgemere pastor, dies at 94

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Monsignor Joseph Lizor Jr., the oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and a former longtime Baltimore County pastor known for his unwavering devotion to parishioners, died May 18. He was  94.

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Continue Reading Monsignor Joseph Lizor, oldest priest in Baltimore archdiocese and former Edgemere pastor, dies at 94

Bishop John H. Ricard, first Black bishop of Baltimore and Pensacola-Tallahassee, dies at 86

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Retired Bishop John H. Ricard, the first Black bishop of both the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., and a nationally respected advocate for racial justice, May 20. He was 86.

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Continue Reading Bishop John H. Ricard, first Black bishop of Baltimore and Pensacola-Tallahassee, dies at 86

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