Several hundred members of the law enforcement and first responders communities gathered Monday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the annual celebration of the Guardian Mass, recognizing both the Feast of Guardian Angels, and the work of those in front-line public service. 

The Mass began with a procession of colors by representatives of various agencies, accompanied by the Port Authority Police Department Pipes and Drums.

“In the name of Cardinal [Timothy] Dolan and along with Bishop [Edmund] Whalen, I welcome you very warmly to St. Patrick’s Cathedral as we celebrate this Mass for the guardians. As we celebrate the guardian angels, we celebrate your guardianship over all of us,” Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn said in his opening remarks. Brennan served as the Mass’s principal celebrant, with Cardinal Dolan away in Rome to participate in the Synod on Synodality.

“The genesis of our gathering today on the Feast of Guardian Angels is thanks to Cardinal Dolan. His hope, his desire, was that we could have one celebration of the City of New York, for all of you who serve here in the city of New York at the various levels of government, of law enforcement,” Bishop Brennan said in his homily. He said that originally Cardinal Dolan would have served as principal celebrant and Bishop Brennan would give the homily, but due to Cardinal Dolan’s participation in the synod, Brennan took up both duties this year. 

Bishop Brennan recalled Pope Francis’s visit to New York in 2015. He remembered that the pope preached that “Jesus Christ is walking in our streets. Jesus Christ is walking in our city.” 

The Bishop of Brooklyn also noted that his own father and brother both worked in law enforcement, for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York City Police Department, respectively. “It’s in our family. I am keenly aware of the sacrifices that you make every day,” Bishop Brennan said as he thanked those in attendance for their work.

This year the Mass fell on the exact date of the Feast of Guardian Angels, October 2, which has been observed since the 17th century.

U.S. Marshal Ralph Sozio, U.S. Marshals Service Southern District, New York, served as the Mass’s lector. 

Prayer intentions were read by: James H. Smith, III, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI; Tamika Gray, District Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service; TenaVel Thomas, Port Director, Port of New York/Newark, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Edward Caban, Commissioner, NYC Police Department; Laura Kavanagh, Commissioner, NYC Fire Department; and Edward Cetnar, Superintendent of Police/Director, Public Safety Department, Port Authority Police Department.

Servers were members of the NYPD Holy Name Society and Anchor Club.

The Mass was concelebrated by Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen, vicar for clergy, and Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, vicar general of the archdiocese. Also concelebrating were chaplains from the NYPD and FBI. Deacon Jamie Varela also served during the Mass.