PROVIDENCE — Patrolmen Jose Mendez and Paul Caminero of the Providence Police Department’s Mounted Command sat sentinel atop their tall, muscular Clydesdales—Prince and Chief—outside Our Lady of the Rosary Church, whose ornate, cut stone walls were not thick enough to prevent the wail of sirens from emergency vehicles responding to a call from being heard as the annual Blue Mass got underway on May 27.
It was a reminder to the 150 police officers, firefighters and emergency responders who were invited to participate in the annual Holy Mass that the Church respects and honors their careers as public servants committed to preserving the safety and security of their fellow citizens.
“This Mass recognizes that no matter where you are in the world, God is still in charge,” Mendez told Rhode Island Catholic as people streamed into the church for the early evening liturgy, which was presided over by Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Lewandowski, in his homily, spoke of the way that most of the faithful are likely aware of the heroism that emergency service workers exhibit in their mission—by watching police, fire and medical-themed nighttime dramas on television.
“For most of us, it’s the closest we will come to knowing what you do,” he said.
But look just below the veneer of the silver screen and one will see a vibrant community teeming with support for each other as they face daily challenges.
“Real witness involves mostly hard work and patience, relying on your partners, collaborators, your team members. How you keep the peace and keep us safe. How you exercise justice and fight crime and make things right,” Bishop Lewandowski said.
The bishop cited a recent deep experience that he and his brother priests had with emergency workers when one of their own passed away. As they worked on the aging servant of God but ultimately could not save him.
“They took great care to give us the priests that lived with him the sense that we were going to be okay,” Bishop Lewandowski said, praising the first responders.
“Just as they offered life-giving and lifesaving care to him, they tried to lift our spirits with gentle humor and compassion, offering words of understanding, and ultimately, words of gracious sympath—firsthand experience of what you do day in and day out. It gives us a glimpse of how great you really are, a glimpse of your excellence.”
Lincoln Fire Chief Tim Walsh, of Lincoln, representing the R.I. Fire Chiefs, was participating in his first Blue Mass.
He said that having a shared faith among so many first responders is what helps sustain them when they find themselves in the face of danger.
“We all rely on the Catholic Church, the Catholic faith is a mainstay for us,” he said.
Walsh said that it had been wonderful to work with the bishop in planning the liturgy.
“Many of the police, fire and EMS workers are Catholic and we rely on the Lord a lot to keep us safe. This is why we need it. It encourages us to strengthen our faith, and we appreciate everything that they’re doing for us.”
James Jahnz, secretary for Catholic Charities and Social Ministries, said that like the Catholic Church does for the spiritual peace and safety of her people,
“Our first responders are people who take care of us. In many ways they are our protectors. Their faith is incredibly strong, and I know the bishop wanted to recognize the good work that is done in each and every community in our state and he wanted to honor that work with this Mass.”
Celestina Alves, a 30-year member of Our Lady of the Rosary said she felt it was very important for the members of the community who live to serve others to know that the Church stands with and supports them in their work.
And she is very proud of the efforts of her pastor, Father Joseph Escobar, who also serves as the chaplain to the R.I. Police Chiefs Association, in ensuring those first responders feel supported.
“I think it is wonderful to have this Mass,” Alves said. “I think they need it and they deserve it. I had never been to the Mass when it was at the cathedral, but this is my parish so I’m here tonight.”
Father Escobar, who concelebrated the Mass with the bishop, said the diocese has offered several Blue Masses for emergency workers over the years and they enjoy the emotional boost it gives them in their difficult work.
“It’s always edifying to see the police, fire and fire responders come together to pray and for us to pray for them. It’s recognition and they get so little of that,” he said.
