Wednesday, September 8, 2010

CATHEDRAL DEANERY — The annual Blue Mass celebration will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26, beginning at 10:45 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, 8th and Plum streets in Cincinnati. The event is held to pray for and honor Greater Cincinnati police, fire and public safety personnel.

A Blue Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati. (Courtesy photo)

The blessing ceremony for the attending officers and safety equipment will be held outside on the cathedral plaza facing Plum St., followed by a procession into church with the color guards, officers, celebrants and community for Mass at 11 a.m.
 
Blue Mass celebrations are held throughout the United States, usually in a cathedral setting, to honor and pray for  the men and women who serve our communities.  The homily/sermon contains a message of appreciation, encouragement and solidarity with the safety personnel as keepers of order in our civil society and honors them for their value to all the people.  Names of deceased personnel from the previous year are read aloud during the liturgy.
 
The Mass occurs annually in September because Catholic tradition looks upon St. Michael the Archangel as the patron of safety personnel, and his feast is celebrated each year on Sept. 29.

Refreshments and fellowship on the plaza follow the service. Call 513-421-5354 or visit www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org for more information.