Knights throughout the United States observed the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with ceremonies of remembrance, prayers for peace, patriotic displays and Blue Masses for police, firefighters and emergency personnel. At the 2004 Supreme Convention, the Order designated Sept. 11 each year as the Knights of Columbus World Day of Prayer for Peace.

 St. Isaac Jogues Council 13716 in Wayne, Pa., sponsored the first Blue Mass in Chester County on Sunday, Sept. 10, in St. Isaac Jogues Church. About 250 police, firefighters and emergency medical workers processed into the church beneath the ladders of two fire trucks that held aloft a 50-foot-long U.S. flag. The Mass, celebrated by Philadelphia’s Auxiliary Bishop Robert P. Maginnis, was preceded by an ecumenical prayer service.

 “It was truly a magnificent event in which the Church and the Knights were able to say thank you to all those who protect us day after day,” said County Judge Jeremy M. Blackburn, a member of Council 13716, who took part in West Chester Assembly’s color guard. “It was the first time the community came together to give something back to the brave men and women who give so much to us.”

 The U.S. flag and Fourth Degree color guards were prominent in many other observances. The Indiana State Council sent a notice to all local units urging Knights to display the flag outside their houses, apartments, council homes and places of business. Iowa State Deputy Michael P. Gaspers said the state council promoted “observance of 9/11 by flying American flags and using the opportunity to pray for peace and understanding.”

 St. John Bosco Council 11762 in Lakewood, Wash., flew its flag at half-staff on Sept. 11, and joined with Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Assembly for a memorial prayer service for all those who died in the terrorist attacks.

A council and an assembly also worked together at St. Thomas More Church in Boynton Beach, Fla. Trinity Council 4839 in Boynton Beach joined with Loyola Assembly in Palm Beach Gardens at a Prayer for Peace, which included a procession of community safety officers and a Fourth Degree color guard.

Father McNelis Council 1481 in Indiana, Pa., sponsored a Blue Mass that was organized by Police Cpl. Joe Bobick, the grand knight. After Mass, congregants processed through town to the fire station for a reception. Father McNelis Assembly provided an honor guard.

The annual wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Franciscan Father Mychal Judge was sponsored again by St. James of the Marches Council 6574 in Totowa, N.J. A Knight and a New York Fire Department chaplain, Father Judge was killed by falling debris at the World Trade Center while anointing victims. Father Judge, buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, was a former council chaplain and pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in West Milford.

Knight John Bavazzano, organizer of the annual tribute, said that Father Judge is a symbol of all those who died at the World Trade Center.

Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., celebrated a Blue Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral on Sept. 10, which was attended by more than 100 emergency workers. The 9/11 attack “was an epic tragedy that changed our lives in ways we’ll never forget. The grief is still fresh,” said Bishop Lori.

The offertory procession included a steel cross made from the wreckage of the World Trade Center and inscribed with Father Judge’s name, a fireman’s helmet, a police officer’s cap and a stethoscope to represent emergency medical personnel. “These are powerful symbols of their service to others,” Bishop Lori said.