WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal, state and local first responders in police agencies from around the country will be the focus of prayers May 3 during the annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., kicking off events related to National Police Week, which has activities through May 16 around the city.
The Mass will be preceded by an entrance procession under an American flag hung by fire ladder trucks over the street at 10th and G Streets N.W. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, will be celebrant and homilist.
Blue Mass Honoring Police and All First Responders
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Procession begins at Noon ET at 10th and G Streets N.W.
Mass begins at 12:10 p.m. ET
St. Patrick Catholic Church
619 10th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
The Blue Mass tradition dates back to 1934, although it was only observed irregularly until 1994, when it was revived. The National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund counts more than 800,000 officers currently serving in law enforcement.
This year’s Roll Call of Heroes includes the names of 619 officers killed in the line of duty who were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington. That includes 472 who were killed during 2021 and another 319 officers whose deaths were COVID-19 related. The names of another 147 officers who died in previous years were also added to the roster this year.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is home to more than 655,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 90 Catholic schools, located in Washington, D.C., and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
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