Bishop Keehner to celebrate Blue Mass on feast of Archangels

Bishop John E. Keehner and the Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting a Blue Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, 1000 Douglas Street. The Mass includes a procession of uniformed first responders. 

This will be the first Blue Mass that Bishop Keehner will celebrate in the diocese. He was ordained bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City on May 1. 

“I look forward to celebrating the Blue Mass at the Cathedral for the first time as your bishop,” he said. “I am honored to be able to recognize our first responders for their selfless service to their communities and their neighbors.  It is such a beautiful tradition in the church and I encourage the faithful to join us for Mass if they are able or pray for their community’s first responders at home on that feast day of the Archangels.”

Sept. 29 is celebrated in the church as the feast of the three archangels – St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael. The church originally celebrated Sept. 29 as the feast of St. Michael, or Michaelmas. He is the patron saint of first responders, law enforcement, firefighters, military personnel and others. 

St. Gabriel is the patron saint of communications workers, broadcasters, postal workers and messengers. St. Raphael is the patron saint of travelers, the blind, the sick and medical workers.

The tradition of celebrating a Blue Mass has origins dating to 1934 “when police officers gathered to pray for their fallen comrades and seek God’s blessing for their own safety,” according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. “The name ‘Blue Mass’ comes from the traditional color of many officers’ uniforms.”

Pipes and drum are traditional for first responder ceremonies/Lumen file photoArea first responders and those working in the emergency response fields (including law enforcement, fire, EMTs and others) and their families are encouraged to attend this Mass at the Cathedral. 

Father David Esquiliano, pastor of the Cathedral Parish, said he is hopeful that first responders will feel welcome at the Mass, whether they are of the Catholic faith or not.

“We wish to emphasize that the Blue Mass warmly embraces individuals of all faiths, extending its invitation to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. It symbolizes our community's unity, respect and heartfelt gratitude for their selfless service,” he said.

First responders and their families are invited to attend a dinner in the parish hall after the Mass, as guests of the Cathedral Parish. there will also be a drive-up for first responders on duty to come by the parish to take a meal with them. 

The public is welcome to attend the Mass.

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