Grace Thompson
The Reagans, a fictional family of cops in the TV series Blue Bloods, are proud of their Catholic faith, which is on display in every episode. Francis Xavier Reagan, the Irish Catholic police commissioner of New York City, is the patriarch of the family. He is a widower with four children: Daniel, Erin, Joseph, and Jameson. All of Frank's sons followed him into the NYPD, and his daughter Erin is an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. The family attends Mass every Sunday and has dinner together, always beginning the meal with grace. The show portrays a typical Catholic family, with all the problems that come with it, and has been praised for treating Catholicism fairly and casting it in a good light.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the show | Blue Bloods |
| Genre | Police drama, family drama |
| Year of release | 2010 |
| Main character | Francis Xavier Reagan |
| Played by | Tom Selleck |
| Character inspiration | Raymond Kelly, Theodore Roosevelt |
| Character's occupation | New York City Police Commissioner |
| Family | Widower with three sons and a daughter |
| Family occupation | All sons are New York policemen, daughter is an assistant district attorney |
| Family religion | Catholic |
| Religious practices | Go to Mass every Sunday, say grace before meals, Frank goes to confession and consults the Archbishop of New York |
| Show's portrayal of Catholicism | Realistic and compassionate, addresses controversial topics |
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What You'll Learn
The Reagans are practising Catholics
The show portrays a typical Catholic family, with all the problems that entails. Frank's daughter, Erin, is divorced, and his son, Danny, struggles with his faith in the face of tragedy. The family also deals with controversial topics, such as homosexuality and clerical abuse, reflecting the American Catholic landscape.
The Catholicity of the Reagan family has been praised as a needed corrective to an ecclesial culture that elevates moral law above the worship of God. The show presents a realistic and compassionate portrayal of Catholicism, with clergy and religious figures sensitively but realistically portrayed.
Executive producer Kevin Wade, a practising Catholic himself, has emphasised the importance of depicting the culture of Roman Catholicism in the show, contributing to its success. The Sunday dinner scene, which is the most distinctive and popular part of the show, is written by Wade and includes the family tackling moral issues and saying grace before their meal.
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Catholicism is central to the show
The show portrays a typical Catholic family as it is, not an idealized version. The family struggles with various problems, including divorce, tragedy, and debates about whether to get married in the Church. The show also addresses controversial topics, such as homosexuality and clerical abuse, but does not have an agenda. Instead, it emphasizes depicting real people in both ordinary and extraordinary situations who happen to be Catholic cops.
The Catholic faith of the characters is prominently displayed in every episode. Frank goes to confession and regularly consults with the archbishop of New York. Key scenes are often set in churches, and the show includes storylines about the seal of the confessional. The Sunday dinner scene, in particular, has been described as the most distinctive and popular part of the show, with the family gathering for good food, drink, and lively conversation.
The show has been praised for its portrayal of Catholicism. Newark's Archbishop John Myers is a fan, and Bill Donohue of the Catholic Civil Rights League wrote in 2011 that it was "one of the few TV shows on the broadcast networks to treat Catholicism fairly" and that it "often casts a good light on Catholicism". The show presents the Catholic faith with compassion and realism, sensitively portraying clergy and religious figures. It also addresses the conviction that prayer is legitimate, treating it reverently and without edification.
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Frank Reagan's character
Francis Xavier Reagan, or Frank, is a fictional character from the TV series Blue Bloods. He is the New York City Police Commissioner, the son of a former Commissioner, and the patriarch of a family of police officers and others involved in the criminal justice system.
Frank is the younger son of Henry and Betty Reagan, born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York in the early 1950s. His older brother, Peter Reagan, died of leukaemia at 18 months old, over a year before Frank was born. Frank married Mary Margaret Reagan (née Conor) in the early 1970s, and they have four children: Danny, Erin, Joe, and Jamie. Each of Frank's sons followed him into the NYPD. Frank is also a grandfather to Erin's daughter, Nicky Reagan-Boyle, and Danny's two children, Jack and Sean Reagan. In season 10, it is revealed that Frank has another grandson, Joseph Hill, the son of Paula Hill, whom Joe Reagan met at the academy.
Frank's character has been described as "a wise, benevolent potentate of a police commissioner"; a "no-nonsense police chief" who "runs the force as diplomatically as he runs his family". He is also said to have "strong family values that are inspiring to those around him". However, Frank and the show have been criticised for presenting an overly positive view of law enforcement administration and equating "justice with the NYPD".
Frank is a practising Catholic. The Reagans are shown to go to Mass every Sunday, say grace before meals, and have family dinners together. Frank goes to confession and regularly consults with the Archbishop of New York. The Catholicity of the Reagan family has been praised as a "needed corrective to an ecclesial culture that too often elevates the moral law above the worship of God". However, the show has also been praised for not shying away from controversial topics, such as homosexuality and clerical abuse, and for its realistic portrayal of Catholicism.
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The show's portrayal of the Catholic faith
The Reagan family's Catholic faith is a prominent aspect of their lives on the show *Blue Bloods*. While not all of the characters are strictly practising Catholics, their religious beliefs and values are often referenced and play a significant role in shaping their actions and decisions.
The family's Catholic faith is most visibly represented by their regular attendance at Mass and their involvement with their local church. In several episodes, the Reagan family can be seen attending Sunday Mass together, and their faith is often woven into the fabric of their daily lives. For example, in one episode, Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) is faced with a difficult decision and seeks guidance from a priest, who offers him spiritual counsel. In another episode, Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) struggles with a moral dilemma and turns to her faith for strength and clarity.
The show also explores the Catholic faith through the characters' personal relationships and how they navigate their spiritual beliefs within the context of their professional lives. For instance, Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg), a detective and one of the show's main characters, often deals with ethical dilemmas and grapples with issues of justice and morality. His Catholic faith provides him with a framework for making sense of these complex issues and guides his actions as a law enforcement officer.
Furthermore, the Reagan family's Catholic faith is also portrayed through their strong sense of family values and their commitment to serving and protecting their community. The show often highlights the family's dedication to justice, compassion, and service to others, which are all values that align with their religious beliefs. The Reagans are also shown to be respectful of other faiths and beliefs, often portraying an inclusive and tolerant attitude, which is an important aspect of their Catholic upbringing.
The show also delves into the spiritual side of Catholicism, with characters often reflecting on their mortality and seeking comfort in their faith. In one episode, Frank Reagan has a near-death experience, which causes him to reflect on his life and his relationship with God. This exploration of spiritual themes adds depth to the characters and showcases the comfort and guidance they find in their Catholic faith. Overall, the show's portrayal of the Catholic faith is respectful and authentic, offering a nuanced depiction of how religion can influence and shape a person's life, even within the context of a dramatic television series.
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The Reagans' family dinners
The Reagans are a fictional family of cops who are proud of their Catholic faith, with their religious beliefs and practices woven into the fabric of the show. The family attends Mass every Sunday before gathering for their weekly family dinners, always beginning the meal with grace.
The family dinners are a staple of the show, with each episode including a Sunday dinner scene, often the most distinctive and popular part of the episode. The dinners are a time for the family to connect and discuss matters both practical and idealistic. They also serve as a platform for the family to tackle moral issues and current events, with Frank, as the patriarch, often moderating and having the last word.
The Reagans' Catholic faith is not portrayed in an idealized manner, but rather as a realistic reflection of American Catholicism. The family struggles with their faith and church teachings, with some members, like Danny, grappling with their faith in the face of tragedy, and others, like Erin, navigating divorce. The show does not shy away from controversial topics, including homosexuality and clerical abuse, and it portrays the Reagans' faith as a source of strength and guidance in navigating these complex issues.
The dinners also highlight the family's strong sense of tradition and their commitment to upholding the law and justice. Frank, a wise and benevolent police commissioner, runs his family with strong values, and his children, Danny, Erin, Joe, and Jamie, have all followed him into careers in law enforcement. The dinners are a time for the family to unite and find solace and support in one another, strengthening their bonds and reinforcing their shared values.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Reagans are Catholic.
The character Frank Reagan is Catholic.
The Reagans go to Mass every Sunday and have family dinner together. They also say grace before meals.
In one episode, Reagan criticised the Catholic Church for its stance on homosexuality.
Bill Donohue of the Catholic Civil Rights League wrote that Blue Bloods is "one of the few TV shows on the broadcast networks to treat Catholicism fairly". The show has also been praised for its portrayal of Catholicism by Newark's Archbishop John Myers.
