September 12, 2012

Cincinnati Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer will be the principal celebrant at the eighth annual Blue Mass to be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, 325 W. Eighth Street, in downtown Cincinnati

Attendees should consider coming early to the Cathedral (about 10:30 a.m.) to see area fire trucks set up with flags hung from their extended ladders, and to see officers on horseback. A blessing ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. for the attending members of police and fire departments, and on the equipment they use in the line of duty. The equipment is located just outside the cathedral plaza on Plum Street.

Following the blessing, officers, family members and community members process into the cathedral behind a bagpiper and color guard. At the end of the church service, names of safety personnel who have died this past year are read aloud. Fellowship and refreshments on the plaza follow the service.