A special mass was held Sunday morning at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sharon. In the front row sat several dozen firefighters, policemen, and representatives from the Mercer County District Attorney’s office and the Shenango Valley Ambulance Service.

At the beginning of the St. Joseph’s 8 a.m. service, a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace,” and led a procession of firefighters and police officers through the church.

It was the annual Blue Mass, which is held to honor those who serve and protect the Shenango Valley. Firefighters and policemen sat in several front pews and read the day’s scriptures.

The firefighters came from the Sharon department, and the policemen came from the Hermitage, Sharpsville, and Sharon departments.

At the end of the service, they lined up in front of the exit, and church members thanked them for keeping the valley safe.

“This is a tradition in the area,” said Glenn Whitman, the pastor of St. Joseph.

Whitman said the Blue Mass goes hand in hand with Red Mass, held at catholic churches across the nation to request guidance from the holy spirit for judges, lawyers, and others in the legal profession.

The Red Mass is traditionally held in October, and Whitman said the Blue Mass is also traditionally held in October.

“This is to remind us there are people doing more than just working nine-to-five,” he said.