Archbishop O'Brien says serving in military 'more than a job'

Published: 2004-11-09

NORWICH, Conn. (CNS) -- "Yours is more than a job," Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services told representatives of every branch of the armed services gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral Nov. 7 for the Norwich Diocese's Mass for military personnel. "It is a call from God, a true vocation, a call to imitate the very life of Jesus Christ," he said. "Didn't Jesus Christ define himself as one who serves, not one who (is) to be served? And when you are outfitted in that uniform this is your vocation too," the archbishop said. He prayed for all military men and women and thanked them for their service. About 700 people attended the diocese's 13th annual Red, White and Blue Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael R. Cote of Norwich. The liturgy honored service men and women, on active duty and retired, as well as veterans, military auxiliaries and their families. It also commemorated the lives of those who died in the line of duty, particularly those from Connecticut killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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