Special Mass To Remember Victims of 9/11, Honor First Responders

(KNSI) – The Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud will hold its annual Blue Mass on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The Mass will be conducted by Bishop Donald Kettler at 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Boniface Church in Cold Spring. St. Cloud Diocese Director of Worship Aaron Carpenter says all people of all faiths are invited to the service.

“On September 11th, we’ll spend a little bit of time reflecting on the events of the day and the victims of those attacks and connecting the first responders’ response to that in the same way.”

Carpenter talked about why the Church holds this blessing.

“It’s a way to acknowledge their years of service, as well as their commitment to protecting and serving and that the Bishop feels and the Church feels that it’s important we bless them and invite the Holy Spirit to be present with them. And to guide them and protect them and their families from the risks they so willingly entered into.”

The first Blue Mass is traditionally held on the Thursday before September 11th at St. Mary’s Cathedral. With the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on a Saturday, the Bishop wanted to have the service on that day. However, the St. Mary’s Parish Festival Block Party is Saturday, so the Church moved the service to Cold Spring.

The Bishop will send the same blessing to all Churches in the Diocese so their priests can deliver the blessing if they choose.

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