The Rev. Glenn Jones prays for Los Alamos Police Ofc. Ben Irving, center, Sheriff Marco Lucero and all first responders in the community during this evening’s Blue Mass celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, the Rev. Glenn Jones, Los Alamos Police Ofc. Ben Irving and Sheriff Marco Lucero during this evening’s Blue Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

A special cake was served to first responders and parishoners this evening following the Blue Mass. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

A Blue Mass was celebrated this evening at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at 3700 Canyon Road to honor local first responders.  

The Rev. Glenn Jones explained that first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs, are similar to guardian angels for the community. They put their lives on the line every day to protect others, he said, and welcomed and thanked all those who serve as first responders, Catholic or not, and prayed for their safety. A reception with cake and ice cream followed the Blue Mass.

The history of the Blue Mass is attributed to Fr. Thomas Dade, a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Md. who in 1934 started the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society while he was stationed at St. Patrick Catholic parish in Washington, D.C. In September 1934, more than 1,100 police and firemen, dressed in blue uniforms, filed into St. Patrick’s for the celebration of the first Blue Mass. Since then, the Blue Mass has become an annual tradition in many dioceses and parishes across the nation.