The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington held its 31st annual Blue Mass on May 6, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Northwest Washington, D.C. The Mass honors the service of first responders, firefighters, federal and local law enforcement officers, and public safety personnel, and remembers those who have died in the line of duty.
Washington Auxiliary Bishop Roy Campbell Jr. served as principal celebrant, and Msgr. Salvatore A. Criscuolo, a chaplain to local public safety officials, delivered the homily. The Mass included the presentation of colors, a reading of the names of the fallen, and the reading of the names of the fallen and the playing of echo taps by buglers.
Law enforcement officers and a bagpipe procession march beneath a large American flag suspended over 10th Street Northwest near St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., during the 31st annual Blue Mass on May 6, 2025. The Mass, hosted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, honors first responders and public safety officials and remembers those who died in the line of duty. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Uniformed officers salute as members of the honor guard and a bagpipe procession approach St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., during the 31st annual Blue Mass on May 6, 2025. The Mass, organized by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, honors first responders and remembers those who died in the line of duty. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Members of the FBI Police honor guard carry the American flag, agency banner, and ceremonial rifle during the procession to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., for the 31st annual Blue Mass on May 6, 2025. The Mass honors the service and sacrifice of first responders and public safety officials. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
An honor guard of police officers from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority process May 6, 2025 toward St. Patrick Church in Washington for 31st annual Blue Mass to honor police officers, firefighters, first responders and all those who serve in law enforcement. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Washington Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr., center left, who served as principal celebrant of the 31st annual Blue Mass, speaks with Father Raymond L. Fecteau, retired pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Darnestown, Maryland, and longtime chaplain to federal, Maryland state, and Montgomery County law enforcement agencies, outside St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Deacon Mark Arleen, chaplain program manager for the U.S. Secret Service, reviews the liturgy program. At far left is Father James Glasgow, chaplain to the Catholic Newman Center at The George Washington University. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Washington Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr. processes into St. Patrick Church in Washington for 31st annual Blue Mass at which he was the main celebrant. He told first responders that “so many of you every day act like that Good Shepherd.” (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Washington, D.C., Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, far left in front row, stands with other public safety officials as clergy prepare to begin the 31st annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Above and below, police officers, firefighters, law officials, first responders and others pray during the 31st annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Northwest Washington, D.C. offered to honor those who serve in law enforcement, to invoke God’s blessing on them and to pray for those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. During the Mass, they prayed for “our brothers and sisters who are not here today because they made the ultimate sacrifice.” (CS photos by Nicole Olea)
Chief J. Thomas Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police served as lector. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Acting deputy director, Michele Ward Leo from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection participated in the Blue Mass on May 7, 2025.
Commander Shawn Rooney of the Metropolitan Police Department. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
“You get yourselves right into the midst of where you are needed. The Lord heals and saves—he does not do that from a distance,” said Msgr. Salvatore A. Criscuolo, who served as homilist at the 31st annual Blue Mass. “And you all heal and save, and you do not do it from a distance. Jesus did not work from a distance, and neither do you.” (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Officers stand near the exit and listen to names of recently fallen towards the end of Mass. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
At the end of the Blue Mass at St. Patrick Church in Washington, an honor guard stands at the foot of the altar while names were read of the law enforcement officers from local, state and federal departments who died in recent years. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr. greets a law enforcement officer who shared that he had administered her sacrament of Confirmation. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith, right, departs St. Patrick Catholic Church alongside a fellow officer following the 31st annual Blue Mass in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Attendees exit St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., following the 31st annual Blue Mass on May 6, 2025. The liturgy gathered public safety officials, federal personnel, and members of the faith community to honor the work of first responders and remember those who died in the line of duty. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Daniel Patrick Driscoll, United States secretary of the Army and acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, departs St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., after attending the 31st annual Blue Mass on May 6, 2025. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Sean Michael Curran, director of the United States Secret Service, outside of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., following the 31st annual Blue Mass on May 6, 2025. The liturgy brought together law enforcement and public safety officials to honor their service and remember those who died in the line of duty. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Msgr. Criscuolo poses with attendees for a selfie after the 31st Annual Blue Mass, held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. (CS photo by Nicole Olea)
Selected photos by Nicole Olea, staff reporter.
A recording of the livestreamed Mass can be viewed below.
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