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October 1, 2026By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator
The Blue Mass was celebrated by Bishop John E. Keehner Sept. 28 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City on the Eve of the Feast of Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael who are known as spiritual guardians.
This special Mass, which used the liturgy of holy angels, has become an annual tradition at Cathedral in recent years and is intended to remember all who serve in public safety currently, those retired and those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Bishop Emeritus Walker Nickless, Father Larry Burns and Father David Esquiliano, who is chaplain of the Sioux City Police Department, concelebrated and Deacons Bruce Chartier and Jeff Zyzda assisted at the Mass.
Police Captain Mike Manthorne played the bagpipes as he led the procession and recession of officers for the liturgy. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard.
“Today we celebrate this so-called Blue Mass in honor of our first responders – police and fire fighters and other emergency personnel who work to keep us safe,” the bishop explained in his homily.
Offering the Mass on the Eve of the Feast of Holy Archangels, he said was done conscious “of the angels who stand between us and God to keep us safe and to guide us by virtue of the particular mission which God has given to them in service to heaven and earth.”
Protection offered by the angels, the bishop noted, was the same reality celebrated in the men and women who selflessly give of themselves to protect the community.
“We honor our first responders – police, firefighters, emergency personnel – for the service they render in keeping us safe, in protecting us from those persons and situations which would do us harm – just as the archangels work to protect us in accord with God’s plan for salvation,” said Bishop Keehner.
The bishop pointed out that even the names of the archangels were reminders of the mission of public safety workers: Michael, the defender against evil, whose name means “who is like God;” Gabriel, the messenger of Good News, whose name means “God is my strength” and Raphael, whose name means “God heals.”
“Aren’t the missions of these three angels very much the mission of those who serve our
communities as police, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders – those who work to protect us – those who respond to the needs of the sick and injured?” asked the bishop, who added that the Blue Mass was a reminder that everyone is called to be sources of healing and hope in a broken world.
As the homily drew to a close, Bishop Keehner asked the congregation to not only make the mission of the archangels – battling against evil – their own mission but also to embrace the mission of those in uniform - working together to build a society where every life is protected and cherished.
A reception followed Mass in the parish hall.