Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and other first responders gathered at St. James Cathedral in Orlando for the annual Blue Mass. The event is held on the feast day of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels who are recognized for their roles in strength, healing, and grace.

Two firetrucks displayed a large American flag outside the cathedral. Students from several diocesan schools attended and interacted with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol Unit. An honor guard representing the Orlando Police and Fire Departments as well as Orange County Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s Office honored fallen first responders by placing hats for each branch of service at the altar.

Captain Mary Huggins of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office helped coordinate the Mass. Her son, Jeffrey Huggins, was among those recognized during the ceremony.

“(The Mass is) a reflection of the recognition of all the hard work of all the first responders,” Captain Huggins said. “We appreciate the bishop, all the clergy and students coming out to celebrate with us. It touches every single first responder’s heart.”

Father Chris Dorsey, parochial administrator at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Altamonte Springs and former Army chaplain, delivered the homily. He compared Nathaniel’s calling in John’s Gospel to how God intervenes in daily life.

“He breaks into the normalcy with what we need,” Father Dorsey said, explaining that first responders bring healing during times of distress with help from archangels because their names represent aspects of God.

He noted that “el” at the end of each archangel’s name means God: Raphael means God heals; Gabriel means God’s strength; Michael is associated with justice and protection.

“Tobit is in exile, but he is able to teach his family who God is and how to live in God’s way. So, God sends an angel into his life – and the scales from his eyes fall off and he is able to see,” Father Dorsey said. “Our first responders bring that healing of God into people’s lives. How often are our EMTs, sheriffs, police, not only helping the wounded, but our wounded communities; helping people whose lives are broken, to put them back together into a semblance of something that makes sense? They bring order where there is chaos, and God sends His angels to help in that.”

He also spoke about Gabriel as a source of strength for those facing difficult situations: “God has you go into those places that need strength, that are scary, when you don’t know what to do, doing your best hoping the authority with which you go into these places, and your experience can get the job done. That’s when we call on the Lord and He sends us His angels,” he said.

Regarding St. Michael as patron saint for police officers and others upholding justice: “God is here. It is the work of angels, but also what all of you do,” Father Dorsey told attendees.

Father Dorsey remembered those who lost their lives serving others: “as part of the fight to bring God’s justice to this world, of healing those who are broken, those who are sick, those who need help; of those who need strength to those who are afraid... And when we enter into that fight against evil it is not alone. It is with Him by our side.”

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and currently includes 79 parishes across nine counties such as Brevard and Orange Counties under Bishop James Noonan's leadership (https://www.orlandodiocese.org/).