Sep 28, 2007 1:11 pm US/Eastern
Mass Honors Slain Miami-Dade Officer Jose Somohano
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MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ―
Thousands of people attended a special mass on Miami Beach Thursday in honor of fallen police officers.
It was a mass for the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of Police Officers.
Thursday's mass, which took place at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Miami Beach was dedicated to Miami-Dade Police Officer Jose Somohano, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 13th.
Officer Somohano's wife attended the mass, along with a thousand police officers of all religious denominationsn and students from six schools. It was a time to pray for the protection of law enforcement officers and a way to remind the children about the sacrifices that police officers make every day in protecting the community.
According to Catholic.org, the name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the war cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against Satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and sickness.
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