On feast of St. Florian, patron of firefighters, archbishop encourages men and women who serve to have courage to trust in God’s providence

DETROIT — Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron celebrated Mass with a few dozen Metro Detroit firefighters May 4 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.  

Commending the firefighters for their bravery — being the first to arrive on the scene and run into burning buildings — the archbishop said it also takes a special kind of courage to pray to God. 

“The shared perception of you is that you are brave,” Archbishop Vigneron said in his homily. “To run into a burning building, you are brave. You have hearts that aren’t typically afraid. So apply what the Lord says about not being afraid in prayer. Your physical courage provides a base for personal holiness. Your courage is a soil, where holiness can grow.” 

Firefighters from across southeast Michigan were invited to the special Mass, celebrated on the feast of St. Florian, the patron of firefighters. 

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles described the difficulties and persecutions Paul and Barnabas endured while preaching Christ in the Asia Minor. Archbishop Vigneron asked the firefighters to think of the difficulties in their own profession, and how prayer can offer refuge. 

“Think about the hardships you face and the Lord’s prayer, ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,’” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Prayer requires courage. It take a boldness to pray, ‘Thy will be done.’ Not in a stoic life view, but a prayer rooted in faith, confident God will be rooted in us. We have hope, because Christ is risen, that he has defeated death. Christ is alive; death is dead.” 

The firefighters received a medal of St. Florian and a fireman’s prayer card, a token of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s gratitude to firefighters and first responders. 

“Having a Mass for firefighters means everything,” said Lt. Vito Gill, a 28-year veteran in the Detroit Fire Department and a parishioner at St. Martin de Porres in Warren. “It’s so beautiful they would recognize the fire departments and the firefighter personnel. We’re especially letting God’s grace come upon us today.” 

The Mass was open to Catholic and non-Catholic firefighters alike, with various departments around the area parking rigs along Woodward Avenue. Lt. Gill said firefighters of all faiths turn to God in times of crisis, seeking that extra bit of strength. 

“For me, faith means everything,” Lt. Gill said. “I don’t go to work before thanking God. I don’t leave work without thanking God. I ask that He always protects me and helps me do my best at my job during the day. I give all my courage up to God. But you have the knowledge and your brothers who run with you. You feel more courage just going in, not by yourself, but with them and with God on your side.”  

Archbishop Vigneron acknowledged there is no way for people to repay firefighters for their service to the community, so he offered the prayers of the Archdiocese of Detroit to protect them. In turn he asked the firefighters to not be afraid to turn to prayer in times of need. 

“We have confidence to pray to God, because we know He loves us, that He has what we need,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “So have the confidence to pray, ‘Lord, I have confidence in you.’ 

“There is no braver prayer than Jesus’, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,’” Archbishop Vigneron added. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to pray with you today and commend you on your bravery and devotion.”