CINCINNATI, Ohio — On Sunday, St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati held it's 16th annual Blue Mass Service to honor its first responders.

What You Need To Know

  • On Sunday, St. Peter in Chains Cathedral held its 16th annual Blue Mass Service to honor first responders in Cincinnati

  • Members from the police, fire, and sheriff's office were in attendance

  • Deceased first responders were also recognized during the service

“It's great to see law enforcement, to see our brothers that are in the fire service, and EMT, and medics to come together and to be prayed for doing the challenges and the tough year that we've had,” said Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac.

Chief Issac was one of close to a dozen first responders to attend Sunday’s service. They prayed, they sang, and members of the police, fire, and sheriff’s office read off the names of first responders who've passed away in the past twelve months.

“It's very important to honor the first responders because daily they put their lives on the line for us and for the common good,” said Father Steve Angi, of St. Peter in Chains. “And as a police chaplain riding with them, I see that firsthand, all the time. And I also see how compassionate they could be with people as well.”

Father Angi has had the privilege of praying for and blessing these first responders over the years, and this is something that Chief Isaac says he is grateful for. 

“We have a lot of support, but, you know, it's certainly encouraging to the men and women out here to know that people care and that people are keeping them in their thoughts and prayers and that certainly helps when we go through challenging times,” he said.

And after 30 years on the job, Sunday’s service was yet another confirmation for Isaac. 

“Most of us who answer this type of work, you know, we have a passion for public service and that hasn't changed in over 30 years and I love our city,” he said. “I love our communities, and, you know, it's been our life's work.”