By John Rohlf
The Message assistant editor
Local law enforcement personnel and first responders, both active and retired, were among those in attendance for the Diocese of Evansville’s annual Blue Mass.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated the annual Blue Mass Sept. 22 at Good Shepherd Church in Evansville. Father Zach Etienne, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Josh Reising, president of Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, assisted during the Mass. Good Shepherd students, faculty and staff joined the active and retired law enforcement personnel, firefighters and first responders at the Mass.
The Church began celebrating the Blue Mass dating back to 1934. The Mass is celebrated annually across the nation on or near the Sept. 29 Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron of those in public safety and who protect others.
“Today, we have a special Mass,” Father Etienne said at the beginning of Mass. “It’s called the Blue Mass for our first responders, police officers, firefighters, those who try to help keep us safe.”
During his homily at the Mass, Bishop Siegel said as they gathered for the Eucharist for the annual Blue Mass, they did so by praying for all law enforcement personnel and first responders. There is a profound reason, Bishop Siegel said, why St. Michael is chosen as the patron saint of those who wear the uniform. St. Michael is revealed as a warrior, the one who stands in the breach and looks at chaos, malice and destruction and says no further.
Bishop Siegel said for first responders, the scriptural image is not foreign to them. While most of the community sleeps, goes to work and enjoys the peace of daily life, they are the ones who walk directly into the breach. Their duty, calling and courage impel them to run toward the danger when crisis strikes, chaos erupts and when fear causes others to run away. In a very real way, Bishop Siegel said, they participate in the earthly reflection of St. Michael’s mission.
Bishop Siegel said we know standing in the breach can take a heavy toll. St. Michael fought a heavenly battle, he said, but their battles are fought real time in our streets, burning buildings and the back of ambulances. Because they stand on the front lines, they see humanity up close at its most vulnerable and sometimes at its most broken. They carry burdens, memories and stresses home with them that few others can comprehend, he said.
In the Gospel read at the Blue Mass, Jesus looks at Nathaniel and says, I saw you under the fig tree. It is a reminder, Bishop Siegel said, that Christ sees us intimately. He knows who they are when the uniform comes off, sees the sacrifices they make, the sleepless nights and the quiet courage it takes to put on the badge or gear every shift, despite the culture, risks and exhaustion.
Bishop Siegel said we know that carrying the weight can wear on the soul, which is why we celebrate this Blue Mass. He stressed they are here to remind them that they do not stand alone in the breach. Just as St. Michael fought with the power of God at his back, Bishop Siegel said, the Lord is your strength, shield and fortress.
Bishop Siegel said we pray for their physical safety, that they return home to their loved ones at the end of every watch. We also pray for their emotional mental well-being, that the burdens they carry do not weigh too heavily on their hearts, for the gifts of discernment and wisdom in those split-second decisions they have to make and for their families, who share in their sacrifice through their steadfast love and support, as well as their waiting for their safe return home.
Bishop Siegel said we thank the first responders for their courage, professionalism, compassion and selflessness. They are the visible hands of God’s protection in our fragile world. As they celebrated this Eucharist, Bishop Siegel said, they asked St. Michael to watch over them and as they left the church to return to their duties, that they may always remember their work is not just a job but is a sacred vocation of service and protection.