White Masses to honor and bless healthcare workers Oct. 18

Bishop David M. O'Connell will celebrate two White Masses for healthcare workers in the Diocese of Trenton on Oct. 18. These liturgies honor the feast of St. Luke, the patron saint of physicians and medical personnel.

The first Mass will take place at noon at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold. Msgr. Sam Sirianni, the co-cathedral rector, said the service is open to all Monmouth County healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, technicians, administrators, maintenance crews, nursing facility workers, home health aides, and first responders.

A second White Mass, the 13th annual celebration, is scheduled for 2 p.m. at St. Luke Church in Toms River. Both Masses are open to people of all faith traditions working in healthcare, as well as their friends and family. Attendees are encouraged to wear white coats, scrubs, or other work attire. Each Mass will conclude with a blessing of the hands for those in the medical profession.