The 16th annual Blue Mass for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and their families will be celebrated at 5:15 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 6) in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will preside, and Rev. Peter McCormick, C.S.C., director of Campus Ministry, will be the homilist. John Pistole, former head of the TSA, former deputy director of the FBI and now president of Anderson University, will be a guest speaker.
Named for the predominant color of uniforms worn by officers in police and fire departments nationwide, the Blue Mass was first celebrated at Notre Dame in October 2001 as the traditional “month’s mind” Mass for the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and for the police officers, firefighters and rescue workers who died while in the line of service. Since then, it has been celebrated annually to honor and pray for all those who serve and protect public safety on a daily basis. The mass is open to the public, and people of all denominations and faith traditions are welcome to participate.
Representatives of the police and fire departments from throughout the region will attend the Mass.
A reception, hosted by Campus Safety, Notre Dame Security Police and the Notre Dame Fire Department, will follow the Mass in the Main Building Rotunda.