Behind the Badge
The Red Mass and White Mass have long had a special place in the Catholic calendar, so why not Blue?
To honor law enforcement, firefighter personnel and first responders, Blue Masses have been added to Catholic celebrations throughout the years in parishes across the United States. This year for the first time at Christ Cathedral, the Orange County Catholic community’s spiritual home in Garden Grove, they celebrated a Blue Mass, with Bishop Timothy Freyer as the celebrant.
“This is the first time for us, so it’s a big deal,” said Deacon Modesto Cordero, director of the Office for Worship at the Diocese of Orange. “There have been some at parishes, but this is the first time at the diocesan level at the cathedral, with the bishop.”
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over the Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Staged with little fanfare, the inaugural Blue Mass attracted about a dozen officers in uniform from Anaheim, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Lt. Rich LaRochelle of Anaheim delivered the first reading from the Bible, from the Book of Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14. A parishioner at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Anaheim, he said he was gratified to do the reading during his first visit to Christ Cathedral.
“It was an honor. I’m truly blessed,” LaRochelle said.
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Freyer said it was important to bring the Blue Mass to the cathedral to provide wider recognition and appreciation for police and first responders.
Locally, he said the Masses are typically held in proximity to Michaelmas, a festival also known as the Feast of Saints and archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The bishop said the timing was particularly appropriate, as each of the archangels relates to activities of public safety and first responders: Michael, the protector; Gabriel, the messenger of God; and Raphael, a healer.
Bishop Freyer, who is also a chaplain for the Anaheim Police Department, said police perform all of these functions. Often, “They do so at great personal sacrifice,” he said.
OC Sheriff Deputy Thomas Taylor attends a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
In praying to the archangels, Bishop Freyer said, “Just as you protect us, we ask Michael to protect you.”
Blue Masses, named after the colors worn by most in public safety, have been held in the U.S. since the 1930s.
Red Masses recognize lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, and typically are held in conjunction with the start of the Supreme Court’s calendar in October. In conjunction with the St. Thomas More Society of Orange County, the Diocese of Orange has celebrated Red Masses for more than 30 years and held the annual event this year on Monday, Oct. 3 in Christ Cathedral. Presidents, Supreme Court justices and members of Congress have celebrated Red Masses at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C.
Anaheim Police Lt. Richard LaRochelle attends a Blue Mass with his girlfriend at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Celebrations of the White Mass honor those in the medical profession, recognizing the traditional white color of lab coats, nurse’s uniforms and scrubs. Locally, the White Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Oct. 18 in Christ Cathedral.
The Blue Mass was initiated in 1934 by Thomas Dade, who founded the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society. The first Blue Mass, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., was purportedly attended by 1,100 personnel in uniform.
There is no particular date or time period assigned to Blue Masses, nationally. In some dioceses the service is held in May in conjunction with Police Week. Others connect the Mass to the date of the terror attacks. Traditionally, most dioceses had celebrated the Mass in late September to coincide with the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the police and military.
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Cordero said as the Diocese of Orange already celebrated medical and law professionals, it felt right to include police, fire and emergency personnel.
“We haven’t really honored those who enforce and put their lives in danger to keep us safe,” he added.
Anaheim Police Lt. Richard LaRochelle attends a Blue Mass with his girlfriend and her family at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Police Lt. Richard LaRochelle reads from the Bible during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Police Lt. Richard LaRochelle, right, attends a Blue Mass with his girlfriend and her family at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer presides over Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer gives communion during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer gives communion during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer gives communion during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer gives communion during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OC Sheriff Deputy Thomas Taylor receives communion from Bishop Timothy Freyer during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer gives communion during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer gives communion during a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Police Lt. Richard LaRochelle attends a Blue Mass with his girlfriend and her family at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Police Lt. Richard LaRochelle at a Blue Mass with his girlfriend and her family at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Police Lt. Richard LaRochelle at a Blue Mass with his girlfriend and her family at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Bishop Timothy Freyer at the conclusion of a Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Blue Mass at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
