On Sunday, Nov. 17, the Cathedral Church of St. Augustine in Bridgeport celebrated its annual Blue Mass. In the Catholic Church, a “Blue Mass” is held to honor and pray for all those who protect the public, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and other related professions. It’s a way for the community and the Church to show appreciation and to pray for their safety and service.
The term “Blue Mass” derives from the traditional blue uniforms worn by police officers. This tradition began in the early 20th century, with one of the first known Blue Masses held in 1934 in Washington, D.C., by Father Thomas Dade, who was a police chaplain.
Bishop of Bridgeport Frank Caggiano celebrated the Mass, which opened with a procession of FourthDegree Knights of Columbus. They were followed into the cathedral by police honor guards from Greenwich, Norwalk, Danbury, and Ridgefield. The Bridgeport Fire Dept. supported the event by staging a ladder truck in front of the church and flying an enormous American flag from the raised ladder.
