SAN JUAN — Law enforcement authorities of various agencies gathered here at the basilica as the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville held its Blue Mass to honor first responders across the Rio Grande Valley.

Uniforms of black, blue, beige, green and white filled the room during the ceremony at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle in San Juan. Officers sat side by side with their commands as they listened to the words of Bishop Daniel E. Flores.

For Weslaco police Chief Joel Rivera, the greatest take away from the mass is the importance of remaining grounded in a job where uncertainty is around every corner.

“The practice of humility and being humble and never forgetting that we are here to serve not just God but our community,” Rivera said.

Bishop Daniel Flores delivers the sermon during the Blue Mass held at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine on Wednesday in San Juan. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

That sentiment of devotion was on full display at Wednesday’s event, among the many officials and faithful in attendance.

As officers entered the basilica they were greeted with smiles, handshakes and hugs where they shared stories of their time in the field.

“It is important because we get to hang out together as law enforcement to worship God, and that is very important because our community needs to know that we are human too,” said police Chief Cesar Torres of the Mission Police Department.

As the Mass came to an end, the bishop held a moment of silence in honor of first responders who died in the line of duty.

For Torres, it meant more than just honoring those who have died but rather a reflection on the importance of beliefs as a law enforcement agent.

“We have to be close to God, it’s sad to say but we are here today and we’re gone tomorrow. Life is going by so fast that in the end if we don’t have God in our heart we have nothing,” Torres said.

Mission Police Chief Cesar Torres speaks during the Blue Mass held at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine on Wednesday in San Juan. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

The bishop stressed the importance of blessing the law enforcement community to be effective in their roles as public servants.

“What we as a community hope for you is that you be protected as you seek to fulfill the mission as agents of peace and protection of all,” Flores said.

As each officer walked out of the basilica, they were presented a medal blessed by the bishop along with a gift card to Golden Corral.

“To get a blessing from the bishop in our line of duty anything can happen so I just feel a little bit safer,” Border Patrol supervisor Omar Medina said.