Hundreds of police officers, firefighters and emergency services personnel and their families are expected to attend the annual Blue Mass – hosted by the Knights of Columbus – on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 5 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven.

The Mass honors police, firefighters and other emergency and law enforcement personnel and their families.  All emergency and law enforcement personnel in the greater New Haven area, and their families, are invited to attend.

Among those attending will be New Haven Police Chief Francisco Ortiz and Fire Marshal Joe Capucci, as well as the mayors, selectmen, police chiefs and fire chiefs of several area communities. 

The Knights of Columbus has a long history of supporting the brave men and women of the emergency services community. Within a few days of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Knights began distributing nearly $1.5 million in direct aid to the families of slain police and rescue workers.

The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council began the Blue Mass in New Haven in 2002 and has hosted it annually each year since. Similar Blue Masses have been organized by Knights of Columbus Councils nationwide.