The University of Notre Dame will observe the 25th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II and express gratitude for the service of police and firefighters in Masses celebrated this week in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.p. Special prayers for the pope will be offered during Masses in the Basilica at 11:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. on Thursday (Oct.16).p. The third annual Blue Mass for police officers, firefighters, rescue workers and their families will be celebrated at 5:15 p.m. Friday (Oct. 17) in the Basilica.p. The Blue Mass is named for the predominant color of uniforms worn by officers in police and fire departments nationwide. It was first celebrated at Notre Dame two years ago 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 serving and protecting others.p. Representatives of area police and fire departments will attend the Mass, at which officers from the police and fire departments and Port Authority of New York City will be among the University’s guests. Notre Dame’s president, Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., will preside and give a homily. Rex J. Rakow, director of Notre Dame’s security/police department, and John V. Antonucci, operations chief of the University’s fire department, will be the lectors.
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