Our first line of defense, our defenders and all of the men and women in blue will be celebrated and prayed for for the work they do in the line of duty.

The Catholic Diocese of Trenton that along with law enforcement agencies throughout Central Jersey will be hosting the 21st annual Celebration of Law Enforcement, or 'Blue Mass', on April 21 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, according to an announcement made in the Trenton Monitor.

Diocese of Trenton Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as the principal celebrant at the Mass where law enforcement will serve as active participants in proclaiming the scripture Readings, participating in the presentation of the gifts and serving in procession as bagpipers, fife and drum legions and color guard members.

The Diocese will also remember police officers who lost their lives over the past year in the line of duty in a moment of prayer.

All law enforcement personnel, along with their family and friends, are invited to attend.

“The Blue Mass is an extremely important and meaningful event for members of law enforcement and their families, since it’s a time to honor and remember our fallen officers and give thanks to all who protect and serve,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, who is the chairman of the Blue Mass Committee, said. “It helps ensure that these dedicated efforts of members of law enforcement do not go unnoticed and keeps the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice alive.”

The patron saint of Law Enforcement is the Arch Angel (Head Angel in Heaven) St. Michael that watches over those who strive to preserve security, safety and peace, as explained by  AllPatronSaints.com, who adds that St. Michael is the field commander in the Army of God, and is regarded as a powerful, spiritual general and soldier for Chris which is why first responders, regard him as their patron saint.

"Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's
premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eyes on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores,

strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil, that the police officer's lot on earth

is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so

surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to

 guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people. 

Amen."

If you would like to watch the Blue Mass, the Diocese of Trenton Office of Communications and Media will be livestreaming the mass and it can be watched at TrentonMonitor.com and DioceseofTrenton.org.

“This is a Mass of thanksgiving and celebration of their mission and devotion to their jobs,” Rosemary Kimball, the office’s operations manager and member of the Blue Mass Committee.“It is important for us to show our support of law enforcement, keep them in our prayers, and respect and admire them as they continue along the path of righteousness."

The Mass starts at 10:30 a.m. St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral is located at 61 Georgia Road.

To reserve a seat at the luncheon, mail a $20 donation per person to The Diocese of Trenton – Blue Mass, 701 Lawrenceville Road, P.O. Box 5147, Trenton, N.J. 08638-0147. Tickets will also be available at the door April 21.

Immediate families of law enforcement personnel may attend the luncheon at no cost.

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