St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral
April 1, 2025
My brothers and sisters,
Today we gather for our annual Blue Mass in the Diocese of Trenton to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement—those who have answered the call to protect and serve. We come together in gratitude, in prayer, and in remembrance, asking for God’s continued strength and protection upon them.
Our Blue Mass today takes on a special character because it is celebrated during a Jubilee Year, a Holy Year of joy, pilgrimage, forgiveness of sins and spiritual renewal proclaimed by the Church every 25 years.
When he announced this Jubilee Year, our Holy Father Pope Francis placed on the schedule of events that would unfold during the year, a special celebration for police, members of law enforcement and first responders.
He blessed all these public servants, urging them to “be courageous witnesses of the love of God our Father, who wants us all to be brothers and sisters” and to be “artisans of a new era of peace, justice and fraternity.”
“I would encourage you,” the Pope observed, “never to lose sight of the purpose of your service and all your activity, which is to promote life, to save lives, to be a constant defender of life.”
The theme of this Jubilee Year is “hope” and Pope Francis quoted the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (5:5): “Hope does not disappoint.” In whatever service we perform, including the ministry of law and justice, he commissioned us to be “pilgrims of hope.”
Every law enforcement officer, when he or she takes their oath, proclaims to society the words of the OT Prophet Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me!” It is a response of courage, of selflessness, and of duty. Officers do not merely wear the uniform and the badge, they carry a vocation, a sacred calling to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and bring peace where there is disorder.
Yet, this calling is not without sacrifice. Each day brings uncertainty, and each shift demands both strength and compassion. It is a path of service that mirrors the love Christ speaks of in St. John’s Gospel: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
To serve in law enforcement today is to navigate a world filled with complexity and moral challenges and sadly, at times, hostility. Officers stand in the gap between chaos and order, between harm and safety. It is a burden that is not easily carried, and it is why faith is essential.
The justice you seek is not merely legal—it is rooted in the divine justice of God proclaimed by all the religions and religious traditions represented here in your number. The peace you provide is not just societal—it reflects Christ, the Prince of Peace, it reflects each and all our faiths. And the sacrifices you make do not go unnoticed by the Lord, our God who Himself bore the greatest burden for the sake of others.
As a community, we have a duty to support and pray for those who serve. We pray for their protection, for wisdom in every decision, and for peace in their hearts as they carry out their duties. We remember especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Their names are written not only in history but in the very heart of God and in our hearts as well. May the rest in peace and their families take comfort in their memory.
To the officers among us today: never forget that you do not walk alone. Your work is noble. Your sacrifices matter. And your service reflects the divine mission—to bring justice, mercy, and peace to the world.
As we continue our prayers today, especially in this Eucharistic celebration, let us entrust all members of law enforcement to the care of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of police officers and all in law enforcement. May he intercede for you, protect you, and guide you in moments of trial.
May God bless you, keep you safe, and grant you His peace. Amen.
Jubilee Blue Mass offers time to honor, pray for law enforcement personnel